ASTM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR GROSFILLEX
PRODUCTS
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) adopted
performance standards for plastic chairs and chaises designed for
outdoor use. They were set after a four-year effort by an SPI (The
Society of the Plastics Industry) ad-hoc task force, in which
Grosfillex participated, to develop and maintain quality and safety
performance levels for plastic furniture.
All Grosfillex chairs and chaises meet the ASTM standards summarized
below.
PASS CRITERIA
The sample chair or chaise must pass all tests included in any one
standard.
The sample chair or chaise must not show any sign of breakage or
cracking, or other structural damage.
Note:
All tests are conducted on both wood and glass surfaces.
Is Grosfillex commercial resin furniture
safe to use in commercial environment?
Yes, Grosfillex commercial resin
furniture is ASTM tested to 400 pounds for indoor/outdoor seating
areas. Certificates of compliance for ASTM F 1561-96 class B
(chairs) and ASTM F 1988-99 class B (chaises) standards are
available. These standards set a certain quality level for US
manufactured plastic chairs and promote safety. You may request a
copy of ASTM Class B test results, performed by an independent
laboratory, from the manufacturer.
Why should resin furniture not be bought at retail for
commercial use?
The products sold at retail are for residential use only. Even
Grosfillex's retail furniture is not designed nor recommended for
commercial use.
Grosfillex furniture sold at retail is labeled "for residential
use only" and carries a one year consumer product warranty.
What makes Grosfillex's commercial resin furniture different
than the resin furniture sold at retail?
Commercial furniture comes in different styles and colors specifically
designed, built, and tested for intensive food service use and
hospitality environments.
It is available only from authorized food service equipment and/or
hospitality dealers.
It generally carries a three-year manufacturer's commercial warranty
(depending on the furniture category) compared to a one-year warranty
for products sold at retail.
Other resin furniture manufacturers or importers market the same
products through any and all channels of distribution: retail and
contract. Grosfillex does not. Grosfillex makes a clear distinction
between residential furniture sold at retail for residential use and
commercial furniture sold through food service and hospitality dealers
for non-residential use. All chairs and chaise lounges sold by the
Contract Division of Grosfillex® are ASTM rated class B, suitable for
commercial use.
What makes Grosfillex resin different from other plastic
furniture?
Some manufacturers use one "recipe" to manufacture all their resin
products. Grosfillex however, uses special blend of raw materials for
each product, depending on the product's flexibility, durability and
safety requirements. Also Grosfillex does not use recycled plastic
products purchased from outside sources to manufacture their furniture.
Is this furniture made in the USA?
Yes, most of this furniture is made in Robesonia, PA.
What is resin?
Resin is a blend of several ingredients including polypropylene,
calcium, pigments and chemical additives.
Polypropylene, a by-product of the oil refining process, gives the
product its resistance to most common food stains, moisture, salt air
and chlorine It will not trap nor harbor germs, fungi or bacteria.
Calcium carbonate or talc give the product its rigidity. Pigments give
the product its color. Chemical additives provide resistance to static
build-up, fading, heat and ultra-violet light.
Grosfillex may also include polyproplene copolymer in the formulation of
furniture where resilience and resistance to repeated use is needed.
Is
this furniture made of recycled plastic material?
Grosfillex furniture is made of 100% first quality prime materials. In
order to reduce their production cost, other manufacturers may use
compound recycled plastic materials for all or a part of their resin
formulation. They may also use excessive amounts of calcium carbonate to
reduce their costs and/or make the product feel heavier. This practice
always results in inferior products with no guarantee of quality
consistency nor performance for any type of end-use. It also makes the
product unsafe, more brittle, and more prone to breakage or failure –
Grosfillex® only recycles small amounts of their own “regrind” from
their second quality production.
Will the furniture fade in the sun?
Grosfillex uses the most advanced ultra-violet light stabilizers to
resist discoloration by the sunlight, twice as long as retail-grade
plastic furniture.
Is
this furniture packaged for LTL and drop shipments?
Yes. Grosfillex packages its tables and chairs specifically to minimize
the risk of freight damages. Low stacks of resin chairs on wide pallets
increase the stability of the stack and facilitate handling with fork
trucks.
Most retail plastic chairs are packaged on small skids, the size of the
chair footprint, only suitable for transportation in full trucks of that
one product.
Grosfillex is the only resin furniture manufacturer who also packages
all chairs in 4 per carton. This packaging greatly facilitates handling
and storage by stocking dealers.
Are Grosfillex molded melamine tabletops suitable for food service use?
Yes Melamine is the chemical polymer used to make ashtrays and
dinnerware. It resists scratches, cigarette burns, food stains, hot
plates, repeated cleaning and fading from the sun.
Are Grosfillex molded melanine tabletops suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. Ice, rain, snow, or sunlight will not damage the tabletops. Of
course, storing your furniture in a protected area during the off-season
will keep your furniture looking new that much longer.
Are Grosfillex melamine tabletops made of particle board?
No, Grosfillex tabletops are not high-pressure laminates of particle
board glued to a sheet of decorated plastic laminate. They are molded
from a material made of melamine impregnated wood chips and melamine
impregnated surface paper, fusion-bonded to resist delaminating and
water penetration.
What makes Grosfillex different from other resin furniture
manufacturers?
Grosfillex is commited to designing, building and selling brand name,
safe and innovative resin furniture specifically made for the food
service and hospitality customer. Grosfillex is the only resin furniture
manufacturer in North America to have dedicated an entire Division to
this market, with a full network of sales professionals, professional
dealers and distributors, factory warehouses and specific products for
over 20 years.
Is this furniture available to ship all the product immediately?
Yes, Grosfillex carries stock in full masterpacks at two warehouses in
Lebanon, PA. Grosfillex's quick-ship program allows an average delivery
time of seven to ten business days from receipt of the order, plus
transit time.
How can I clean Grosfillex commercial resin furniture?
Grosfillex resin furniture is easy to maintain by following these simple
cleaning tips. Use a mild detergent such as dish soap, mixed with water
and applied with a soft cloth for most common dirt and stains. Murphy's
Oil Soap® is highly recommended because it is chemically neutral. Just
like Grosfillex furniture! NEVER use any cleaner with an abrasive
scouring pad. It will scratch the finish which will make the product
more prone to staining. A patch test should be conducted prior to
cleaning stubborn stains or scuff marks on an inconspicuous area of the
furniture. Star brite®, WD-40®, Goo Gone® will often remove stubborn
stains. A 10% solution of vinegar or bleach is also recommended. Careful
application of mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol followed by immediate
rinsing is also recommended. While solvents are not generally
recommended, careful application on sticky, sap-like, or carbon-based
stains immediately rinsed off with clean water will work as a last
resort.
Are Grosfillex umbrellas and cushions colorfast?
Grosfillex commercial grade outdoor fabrics, when tested for fade
resistance in compliance with ASTM G53.96 standard, provides twice the
recommended performance of the American Casual Furniture Fabrics
Association (ACFFA). Grosfillex® new Outdura® solution dyed acrylic
fabrics provide umbrellas with the best color fastness and quality in
the industry – carries a limited 5-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Grosfillex commercial outdoor fabrics are naturally stain resistant
fabrics. To maintain beauty and insure long life, wipe up spills as
quickly as possible with an absorbent cloth.
How can I clean Grosfillex cushions and fabrics?
Remove any loose dirt or particles with a dry, soft brush or towel.
Clean regularly with a mild soapy solution and warm water. Rinse
thoroughly with clear water to remove all soap and allow to air dry. The
fabrics do not promote mold or mildew growth, however dirt or standing
water will support these organisms.
A chlorine bleach solution will kill mildew or organisms and can be used
without affecting fabric color or strength.
Do not use pine oil cleaners.