Public Meeting Concerning Proposed Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattresses and Mattress/Foundation Sets, 5614-5615 [05-2073]

Download as PDF 5614 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 22 / Thursday, February 3, 2005 / Notices CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Public Meeting Concerning Proposed Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattresses and Mattress/ Foundation Sets Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (‘‘CPSC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) will conduct a public meeting on March 3, 2005 to receive oral comments concerning the Commission’s notice of proposed rulemaking (‘‘NPR’’) proposing a standard to address open flame ignition of mattresses. 70 FR 2470. The Commission invites members of the public to make oral presentations concerning information or comments related to the proposed standard. The Commission will consider these presentations as it proceeds with the rulemaking and the possible issuance of a final rule. DATES: The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. on March 3, 2005. Requests to make oral presentations, and 10 copies of the text of the presentation, must be received by the CPSC Office of the Secretary no later than February 24, 2005. Persons making presentations at the meeting should provide an additional 25 copies for dissemination on the date of the meeting. The Commission reserves the right to limit the number of persons who make presentations and the duration of their presentations. To prevent duplicative presentations, groups will be directed to designate a spokesperson. As stated in the NPR, the period for submission of written comments on the mattress NPR is open until March 29, 2005. Written comments may be sent by e-mail, fax or mail to the addresses listed below. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be in room 420 of the Bethesda Towers Building, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD. Requests to make oral presentations, and texts of oral presentations should be captioned ‘‘Mattress NPR Hearing’’ and submitted by e-mail to cpscos@cpsc.gov. or by facsimile to (301) 504–0127. Requests and texts of oral presentations may also be mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207, or delivered to that office, room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the purpose or subject matter of this meeting contact Margaret Neily, Directorate for VerDate jul<14>2003 19:18 Feb 02, 2005 Jkt 205001 Engineering Sciences, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504–7530; e-mail: mneily@cpsc.gov. For information about the schedule for submission of requests to make oral presentations and submission of texts of oral presentations, contact Rockelle Hammond, Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504–6833; fax (301) 504–0127; e-mail rhammond@cpsc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Background On January 13, 2005, the Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (‘‘NPR’’) proposing a flammability standard under the authority of the Flammable Fabrics Act that would address open flame ignition of mattresses and mattress and foundation sets (‘‘mattresses/sets’’). 70 FR 2470. The NPR and the staff’s briefing package are available on the Commission’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov. Mattresses/sets that comply with the proposed performance requirements will have a reduced heat release rate, generating a smaller size fire for a period of time than mattresses/sets made of traditional materials. This will reduce the likelihood that flashover will occur (the point at which the room’s contents are simultaneously ignited by radiant heat), and allow more time for occupants to escape from the fire. Thus, the proposed standard should result in significant reductions in deaths and injuries associated with mattress fires. The proposed standard sets forth performance requirements that each mattress/set must meet before being introduced into commerce. The test method is a full scale test based on research conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (‘‘NIST’’). The mattress specimen (a mattress or mattress and foundation set, usually in a twin size) is exposed to a pair of T shaped propane burners and allowed to burn freely for a period of 30 minutes. The burners were designed to represent burning bedclothes. Measurements are taken of the heat release rate from the specimen and energy generated from the fire. The proposed standard establishes two test criteria, both of which the mattress/set must meet in order to comply with the standard: (1) The peak rate of heat release for the mattress/foundation set must not exceed 200 kW at any time during the 30 minute test; and (2) the total heat release must not exceed 15 MJ for the first 10 minutes of the test. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 There are provisions in the proposed rule to minimize the testing burden. For example, manufacturers may sell a mattress/set based on a prototype (mattress design) that has not been tested if that prototype differs from a qualified prototype only with respect to (1) mattress/foundation size; (2) ticking, unless the ticking of the qualified prototype has characteristics designed to improve performance on the burn test; and/or (3) any component, material, or method of construction that the manufacturer can demonstrate, on an objectively reasonable basis, will not cause the prototype to exceed the test criteria specified above. The proposed standard also minimizes the testing burden by allowing for ‘‘pooling.’’ Under this approach, one manufacturer would conduct the full prototype testing required (testing three prototype specimens), obtaining passing results, and the other manufacturer(s) may then produce mattresses/sets represented by that prototype so long as they conduct one confirming test on a specimen of the prototype that they produce. The details of the proposed standard are discussed in the NPR published in the Federal Register on January 13, 2005. 70 FR 2470. As stated in the NPR, the Commission invites submission of written comments on the proposed standard by March 29, 2005. B. The Public Meeting The Flammable Fabrics Act requires that the Commission provide an opportunity for the oral presentation of ‘‘data, views, or arguments’’ in addition to written comments. 15 U.S.C. 1193(d). Thus, the Commission is providing this forum for oral presentations concerning the mattress proposed standard. Participation in the meeting is open. See the DATES section of this notice for information on making requests to give oral presentations at the meeting. The Commission requests comments on the following specific areas of interest that were noted in the mattress NPR: 1. Comments from small businesses concerning the anticipated economic impact of the requirements of the proposed mattress standard. 2. Comments, especially from small businesses, concerning the proposed one year effective date and the impact such date could have. 3. Comments concerning the Commission staff’s assessment of the possible toxicity and environmental impact of the proposed standard. E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 22 / Thursday, February 3, 2005 / Notices Dated: January 31, 2005. Todd A. Stevenson, Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission. [FR Doc. 05–2073 Filed 2–2–05; 8:45 am] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Craig Goral, Contract Policy Division, GSA (202) 501–3856. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Purpose BILLING CODE 6355–01–P The FAR clause at FAR 52.223–6, Drug-Free Workplace, requires (1) contract employees to notify their employer of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace; and (2) Government contractors, after receiving notice of such conviction, to notify the contracting officer. The information provided to the Government is used to determine contractor compliance with the statutory requirements to maintain a drug-free workplace. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [OMB Control No. 9000–0101] Federal Acquisition Regulation; Information Collection; Drug-Free Workplace Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ACTION: Notice of request for an extension to an existing OMB clearance. AGENCIES: SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning drug-free workplace. The clearance currently expires May 31, 2005. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Submit comments on or before April 4, 2005. ADDRESSES: Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control No.9000–0101, drug-free workplace, in all correspondence. VerDate jul<14>2003 19:18 Feb 02, 2005 Jkt 205001 B. Annual Reporting Burden Respondents: 600. Responses Per Respondent: 1. Annual Responses: 600. Hours Per Response: .17. Total Burden Hours: 102. Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection documents from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), Room 4035, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405, telephone (202) 501–4755. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000–0101, Drug-Free Workplace, in all correspondence. Dated: January 28, 2005 Julia B. Wise, Acting Director, Contract Policy Division. [FR Doc. 05–2017 Filed 2–2–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–EP–S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force Notice of Intent (NOI) To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Housing Privatization Phase II at Hickam Air Force Base and Bellows Air Force Station, O’ahu, HI (Including Privatization of Housing in Historic Districts Eligible for Inclusion on the National Historic Register of Historic Places) United States Air Force. Notice of intent. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 United States Code 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1500–1508), and Air Force’s PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5615 Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) as implemented by 32 CFR Part 989, the United States Air Force (Air Force) is issuing this notice to advise the public of our preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Housing Privatization Phase II at Hickam Air Force Base (AFB) and Bellows Air Force Station (AFS), O’ahu, Hawaii (Including Privatization of Housing in Historic Districts Eligible for Inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places). The project will require Section 106 consultation pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act to run concurrently with the NEPA documentation. The Air Force proposes to transfer 1,332 housing units (1,326 units on Hickam AFB and six units on Bellows AFS) and associated facilities (e.g., sidewalks and roads) to a successful offeror (SO) and implementation of a long-term lease to the SO for land associated with the housing units. The current proposal evaluates four alternatives—(1) No Action; (2) Proposed Action: Privatization of remaining housing units on Hickam AFB and Bellows AFS to include the removal of historic homes from the housing inventory (demolition, relocate from the site, redesignation as nonresidential units or a combination of these three sub alternatives); (3) privatization of remaining housing units on Hickam AFB and Bellows AFS with terms and conditions to insure preservation of historic property; and (4) privatization of remaining housing units on Hickam AFB and Bellows AFS with the exception of housing units in the historic districts that would remain under Government control. Information: The Air Force, through the 15 Airlift Wing (AW), will conduct a Public Scoping Meeting on February 17, 2005, 6 p.m. at the Best Western Plaza Hotel, 3253 N. Nimitz Highway, Honolulu, Hawaii. The meeting’s purpose is to determine the environmental issues and concerns to be analyzed, to solicit comments on the Proposed Action and alternatives, and to solicit input for other alternatives to be considered in the EIS. All comments received during the scoping meeting will be considered prior to the Air Force making a final decision. Point of Contact: For further information concerning the proposed action or alternatives to the proposed action, please contact Mr. Richard Parkinson, Chief, Environmental Flight, 15 CES/CEV, 75 H Street, Hickam AFB, E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 22 (Thursday, February 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5614-5615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2073]



[[Page 5614]]

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CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION


Public Meeting Concerning Proposed Standard for the Flammability 
(Open Flame) of Mattresses and Mattress/Foundation Sets

AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC'' or 
``Commission'') will conduct a public meeting on March 3, 2005 to 
receive oral comments concerning the Commission's notice of proposed 
rulemaking (``NPR'') proposing a standard to address open flame 
ignition of mattresses. 70 FR 2470. The Commission invites members of 
the public to make oral presentations concerning information or 
comments related to the proposed standard. The Commission will consider 
these presentations as it proceeds with the rulemaking and the possible 
issuance of a final rule.

DATES: The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. on March 3, 2005. Requests to 
make oral presentations, and 10 copies of the text of the presentation, 
must be received by the CPSC Office of the Secretary no later than 
February 24, 2005. Persons making presentations at the meeting should 
provide an additional 25 copies for dissemination on the date of the 
meeting.
    The Commission reserves the right to limit the number of persons 
who make presentations and the duration of their presentations. To 
prevent duplicative presentations, groups will be directed to designate 
a spokesperson.
    As stated in the NPR, the period for submission of written comments 
on the mattress NPR is open until March 29, 2005. Written comments may 
be sent by e-mail, fax or mail to the addresses listed below.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be in room 420 of the Bethesda Towers 
Building, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD. Requests to make oral 
presentations, and texts of oral presentations should be captioned 
``Mattress NPR Hearing'' and submitted by e-mail to cpsc-os@cpsc.gov. 
or by facsimile to (301) 504-0127. Requests and texts of oral 
presentations may also be mailed to the Office of the Secretary, 
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207, or delivered 
to that office, room 502, 4330 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 
20814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the purpose or 
subject matter of this meeting contact Margaret Neily, Directorate for 
Engineering Sciences, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
Washington, DC 20207; telephone (301) 504-7530; e-mail: 
mneily@cpsc.gov. For information about the schedule for submission of 
requests to make oral presentations and submission of texts of oral 
presentations, contact Rockelle Hammond, Office of the Secretary, 
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207; telephone 
(301) 504-6833; fax (301) 504-0127; e-mail rhammond@cpsc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    On January 13, 2005, the Commission issued a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (``NPR'') proposing a flammability standard under the 
authority of the Flammable Fabrics Act that would address open flame 
ignition of mattresses and mattress and foundation sets (``mattresses/
sets''). 70 FR 2470. The NPR and the staff's briefing package are 
available on the Commission's Web site at www.cpsc.gov. Mattresses/sets 
that comply with the proposed performance requirements will have a 
reduced heat release rate, generating a smaller size fire for a period 
of time than mattresses/sets made of traditional materials. This will 
reduce the likelihood that flashover will occur (the point at which the 
room's contents are simultaneously ignited by radiant heat), and allow 
more time for occupants to escape from the fire. Thus, the proposed 
standard should result in significant reductions in deaths and injuries 
associated with mattress fires.
    The proposed standard sets forth performance requirements that each 
mattress/set must meet before being introduced into commerce. The test 
method is a full scale test based on research conducted by the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology (``NIST''). The mattress specimen 
(a mattress or mattress and foundation set, usually in a twin size) is 
exposed to a pair of T shaped propane burners and allowed to burn 
freely for a period of 30 minutes. The burners were designed to 
represent burning bedclothes. Measurements are taken of the heat 
release rate from the specimen and energy generated from the fire. The 
proposed standard establishes two test criteria, both of which the 
mattress/set must meet in order to comply with the standard: (1) The 
peak rate of heat release for the mattress/foundation set must not 
exceed 200 kW at any time during the 30 minute test; and (2) the total 
heat release must not exceed 15 MJ for the first 10 minutes of the 
test.
    There are provisions in the proposed rule to minimize the testing 
burden. For example, manufacturers may sell a mattress/set based on a 
prototype (mattress design) that has not been tested if that prototype 
differs from a qualified prototype only with respect to (1) mattress/
foundation size; (2) ticking, unless the ticking of the qualified 
prototype has characteristics designed to improve performance on the 
burn test; and/or (3) any component, material, or method of 
construction that the manufacturer can demonstrate, on an objectively 
reasonable basis, will not cause the prototype to exceed the test 
criteria specified above.
    The proposed standard also minimizes the testing burden by allowing 
for ``pooling.'' Under this approach, one manufacturer would conduct 
the full prototype testing required (testing three prototype 
specimens), obtaining passing results, and the other manufacturer(s) 
may then produce mattresses/sets represented by that prototype so long 
as they conduct one confirming test on a specimen of the prototype that 
they produce.
    The details of the proposed standard are discussed in the NPR 
published in the Federal Register on January 13, 2005. 70 FR 2470. As 
stated in the NPR, the Commission invites submission of written 
comments on the proposed standard by March 29, 2005.

B. The Public Meeting

    The Flammable Fabrics Act requires that the Commission provide an 
opportunity for the oral presentation of ``data, views, or arguments'' 
in addition to written comments. 15 U.S.C. 1193(d). Thus, the 
Commission is providing this forum for oral presentations concerning 
the mattress proposed standard.
    Participation in the meeting is open. See the DATES section of this 
notice for information on making requests to give oral presentations at 
the meeting.
    The Commission requests comments on the following specific areas of 
interest that were noted in the mattress NPR:
    1. Comments from small businesses concerning the anticipated 
economic impact of the requirements of the proposed mattress standard.
    2. Comments, especially from small businesses, concerning the 
proposed one year effective date and the impact such date could have.
    3. Comments concerning the Commission staff's assessment of the 
possible toxicity and environmental impact of the proposed standard.


[[Page 5615]]


    Dated: January 31, 2005.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission.
[FR Doc. 05-2073 Filed 2-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355-01-P
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