Fire-Fighting Fabric

　　Each year thousands of people worldwide are killed or seriously injured by fires started in mattresses. 46 . To help prevent fires in crowded public spaces, E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co. recently invented a fire�瞨esistant fabric(防火織物). The company claims that this fabric significantly reduces the combustibility(易燃性) of mattresses and upholstered(裝有套子或墊子的)furniture. In tests conducted by a Boston-based hotel chain, the material has proved very efficient in preventing or delaying the combustion of mattresses and furniture after fires have been started. 47 . California and several other states are considering new regulations that would require the use of fire-resistant furniture in public places (defined as area where 10 or more people gather). 48 . American laws require hotels to buy fire-resistant mattress covers, though covers made of fiber glass(纖維玻璃) and cotton do exist and are used by some companies. 49 .

　　The Du Pont fabric will sell for less than $5 a yard and it is believed that the market will develop over the next two years. 50 　　A The development of the material is timely

　　B And last year, England passed a law requiring that all furniture contain fine�瞨esistant material

　　C The company expects that the competition will be very strong in the market because right now, its product is just one option

　　D And there are some expects

　　E Often the fires occur in hotels, and are caused by people smoking in bed

　　F However, the cotton covers wash out over time and the fiber glass is not very comfortable