What Is CRIB5? The UK Fire Safety Standard for Contract Furniture Explained
Last updated: May 2026
If you are furnishing a hotel room, an HMO, a care home, or any other commercial sleeping environment in the UK, you will have encountered the term CRIB5. It appears on product listings, compliance certificates, and procurement specifications — but the standard itself is rarely explained clearly. This guide covers what CRIB5 actually is, why it exists, which furniture must comply, and what to look for when buying.
What Is CRIB5?
CRIB5 (also known as Source 5) is a UK fire retardancy test standard for the fillings and covers used in upholstered furniture and mattresses. The “CRIB” refers to the wooden crib (a small constructed pile of wood sticks) used in the test: a CRIB5 test uses a crib with a nominal mass of 17 grams, which produces a more intense flame than lower-numbered cribs. A product that passes CRIB5 testing has demonstrated that its fillings and covers resist ignition from a significant flame source for a specified period without propagating fire.
CRIB5 is not a brand or a certification body — it is a test method, specifically the ignition source used in the test methodology defined in BS 5852. Products that pass this test with a CRIB5 ignition source are described as CRIB5 compliant or Source 5 compliant.
The Legal Framework
The requirement to use CRIB5-compliant furniture in commercial settings is established under:
- The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended in 1989, 1993, and 2010) — which set out fire safety requirements for domestic upholstered furniture sold in the UK
- BS 7177:2008 (as amended) — which specifies resistance to ignition for mattresses, divans, and bed bases used in commercial environments, and which references CRIB5 (Source 5) as the applicable ignition level for high-risk settings
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — which places a duty on the “responsible person” in non-domestic premises to carry out a fire risk assessment and take general fire precautions, which includes the specification of appropriate furniture
In practice, this means that any business operating commercial sleeping accommodation must use furniture that meets the appropriate fire safety standard — and for most categories of commercial sleeping environment, that standard is CRIB5.
Which Commercial Settings Require CRIB5 Furniture?
| Setting | CRIB5 Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels and B&Bs | Yes | All upholstered furniture and mattresses |
| Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) | Yes | Applies where landlord supplies furniture |
| Care homes and sheltered housing | Yes | High-risk category under BS 7177 |
| Student accommodation | Yes | Managed residential |
| Serviced apartments | Yes | Treated as hotels for fire safety purposes |
| Private rental (furnished) | Yes (supplied furniture) | Landlord-supplied furniture must comply |
| Private home (owner-occupied) | No | Domestic regulations apply, not CRIB5 |
What Products Need to Be CRIB5 Compliant?
In a commercial sleeping environment, the following products typically need to meet CRIB5 or equivalent fire safety standards:
- Mattresses — including the filling and cover
- Upholstered bed bases and divans — where the base has an upholstered cover
- Sofas and armchairs — in any communal or bedroom area
- Upholstered headboards — where fabric or foam is used
- Cushions and pillows — in communal seating areas
Metal bed frames without upholstered elements do not require CRIB5 certification for the frame itself, but are often sold alongside CRIB5 compliant mattresses as a complete contract package.
How Is CRIB5 Compliance Verified?
Genuine CRIB5 compliance is verified by an accredited testing body — not by the manufacturer self-certifying. In the UK, the main testing bodies for furniture fire safety are:
- FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) — UK-based, widely recognised by housing associations and hotel groups
- SGS — a global inspection and certification organisation with UK laboratories
- Intertek and BM TRADA — also recognised testing bodies
When you purchase CRIB5 furniture, ask for the test report or certificate issued by the testing body. This document will reference the specific test standard (BS 5852 / BS 7177), the ignition source used (CRIB5 / Source 5), the pass result, and the date of testing. For bulk or contract orders, this documentation should be provided as standard. If a supplier cannot produce it, that is a red flag.
CRIB5 at Onlineand.direct
Our Contract range includes CRIB5 certified mattresses, upholstered divan bases, and sofas — tested by FIRA and SGS. All metal bed frames in the Contract range are independently tested to verify structural integrity and weight loading under commercial-use conditions. Certification documentation is available on request and is provided as a matter of course for bulk orders.
For contract procurement enquiries, email online@onlineand.direct with your product requirements, the type of setting, the quantity, and your delivery address. We will confirm which products meet your compliance requirements and supply the relevant documentation. Browse the full Contract range.
Summary
- CRIB5 is a UK fire retardancy test standard for upholstered furniture fillings and covers
- It is a legal requirement for furniture in hotels, HMOs, care homes, student accommodation, and furnished rental properties
- Compliance must be verified by an accredited testing body (FIRA, SGS, Intertek) — not self-certified
- Always request a test certificate when purchasing contract furniture
- Metal bed frames do not require CRIB5 certification for the frame itself, but mattresses and upholstered elements in the same setting must comply