« Back to Facilities Management News Home
« Flooring
Tarkett FiberFloor Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly
Tarkett FiberFloor becomes CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
for both loose-lay (no glue) and adhered (glue-down) applications
Chagrin Falls, OH - Made in North America in an ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 plant, Tarkett’s FiberFloor® is one of the most trusted, versatile and cost effective products in residential flooring. The five layer system of the FiberFloor platform includes: the finish layer, which protects the look and provides easy maintenance; the wear layer, which prevents wear; the foam layer, which adds cushion and comfort; the inner layer, with engineered fiberglass for stability; and the backing layer, for flexibility, easy installation and a moisture-and sound-resistant barrier for added performance.
In addition to durability, performance and aesthetics, Tarkett FiberFloor is now CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) for loose-lay and glue-down applications - a first for the flooring industry. The certification approves the product as well as the method of maintenance as cleaning methods can also contribute to asthma and allergy irritations. Tarkett FiberFloor is recommended to be cleaned with a neutral cleaner, therefore both the flooring and its cleaning method are safe for those suffering from asthma and allergies.
Experts estimate the American population spends as much as 93 percent of their time indoors and according to the EPA, the level of exposure to chemicals indoors can be five times greater than outdoors. Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is considered a leading contributor to asthma and allergies. Over 60 million people in the United States, nearly one out of five Americans, are affected by asthma and allergies. The number has doubled in the past 30 years and continues to grow.
In 2006, the asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program was created by top medical experts and the oldest and largest not-for-profit, asthma and allergy patient advocacy organization in the world with the mission to empower consumers to make an informed purchase decision when choosing allergen-avoidance products. The Certification Program independently tests and identifies consumer products that are more suitable for the 60+ million people in the United States living with asthma and related allergies.
As an independent, third-party certification program, asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification helps consumers identify products that have been scientifically proven more suitable for people with asthma and related allergic sensitivities. During the floor certification process, products are subjected to both physical and chemical tests in independent laboratories to ensure that it does not have properties that are likely to irritate both asthma and allergy symptoms in susceptible people- including low capacity for allergen retention, VOCs off gassing, whether or not the recommended cleaning procedures effectively reduce allergens and other in-depth investigations.
In addition to the groundbreaking asthma & allergy friendly™ certification, Tarkett FiberFloor is FloorScore certified and has changed both the chemistry of its products and the methods of production to ensure adherence to the strictest IAQ measurement standards, which are measured using TVOCs.
About Tarkett
With 2010 revenues of €1.9 billion, Tarkett is a leading provider of innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surfaces. Some 8,800 employees serve Tarkett’s customers in 100 countries and from 30 production sites. Since January 2007, Tarkett is owned by the Deconinck family (50%) and private equity funds affiliated with KKR (50%). Tarkett North America is a leading provider of innovative flooring solutions for the residential and commercial markets under the brands of Johnsonite, Azrock, NAFCO and Tarkett.
For further information visit Tarkett at www.tarkett.com.
ABOUT THE ASTHMA & ALLEGY FRIENDLY® CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The non-exclusive, independent asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program is a joint effort between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the oldest and largest nonprofit organization in the world fighting asthma and allergic diseases and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), an international research and testing organization. The program develops scientific testing protocols and standards for various types of environmental control products. Manufacturers submit products for laboratory testing to determine if they meet the standards and qualify for certification and displaying the Certification Mark on their product. Abstracts of the standards, lists of all products, retail locations and information about the program are available online at www.aafa.org/certified.
More From 9/28/2012 on FacilitiesNet