or 8 39 gives the backing significantly improved flame retardance characteristics flame retardance can be enhanced even more by using flame retardant fibers such as wool for the backing layer but there is improvement even where less flame retardant fibers are used because of the compaction the backing then passes through a conventional tufter 10 where suitable yarn is tufted through from what will be the back side of the carpeting to provide tufts 11 which can be seen in fig3 and 4 the tufts 11 have bases 12 which are below the scrim 1 and partially surrounded by the fibers of the backing layer 8 the tufts 11 thus being held more securely in place than if the scrim 1 were used alone in the terminology of the art there is a better 34 tuft lock 34 the specifications for the product can be altered so that the degree to which the tuft bases 12 are surrounded by the fibers of the layer 8 is greater or less than that shown in fig3 and 4 but the tuft bases 12 should be surrounded at least partially to provide for the desired tuft lock in the preferred embodiment nylon yarn is used for the tufting operation but other materials could be used where there is a subface 9 the tuft material.