What technical elements should be taken into consideration when purchasing a fire-proof mattress?

There are basically two types of approved fireproof mattresses:

– Sprung mattresses

– Polyurethane foam mattresses

The former are used in hotels and community facilities that are not involved in health care. The latter are used in all facilities, the only difference being in terms of technical features and performance. 

Sprung mattresses

The number of springs does NOT determine the rigidity of the mattress. Rigidity depends on the thickness of the spring wire:  Ø 1.8 = super-soft, Ø 2.0 = anatomical, Ø 2.2 = orthopaedic.

A sprung mattress for a single bed weighs >15 kg. It cannot be washed or used on an articulated  base, e.g. with an adjustable head support. A super-soft or orthopaedic mattress is less popular than an anatomical/semi-orthopaedic mattress.

Polyurethane foam mattresses

The density of the polyurethane is expressed in kg/m³ and does not affect rigidity. The bearing capacity indicates the degree of rigidity:  >3.0 kPa = orthopaedic, 2.6-3.0 kPa = anatomical,  <2.6 kPa = super-soft.

A foam mattress for a single bed weighs < 10 kg. It is washable and can be used on an articulated base, e.g. with an adjustable head support.

Open-cell polyurethane foam allows greater permeability, so choose an anatomical mattress.