Abstract: A fire retardant mattress comprising a central coiled spring support assembly, a first layer of polyurethane foam and/or matting covering on the top and bottom of said support assembly, a second layer of a fire resistant resilient material preferably polychloroprene foam covering the surface of said first top and bottom layers and a fire shield composed preferably of a woven fiber glass material attached to the edge of the perimeter of said second top and bottom layers to completely encapsulate the support assembly and first layers in a fire retardant capsule; said fire shield having sufficient slack to allow the springs of the mattress to expand due to the effect of heat and fire and thus preventing the rupturing of the integrity of the mattress and exposure of the polyurethane foam and matting to flames by said expanding springs and thereby preventing the inner contents of the mattress from coming in contact with fire and/or burning with a concommitant sudden release of heat and smoke.