Choosing the correct upholstery specification is important when furnishing hotels, guest houses, care homes and other commercial accommodation.
If you have come across the term CRIB 5 or Source 5, you may be wondering whether it is a legal requirement for your project and how it differs from standard domestic upholstery.
This guide explains what CRIB 5 upholstery is, who typically needs it and how it compares to standard domestic fabrics used in residential furniture.
What Is CRIB 5 Upholstery?
CRIB 5, also known as Source 5, is a recognised fire safety standard used within the UK furniture and upholstery industry.
Furniture manufactured using CRIB 5 compliant fabrics and materials is designed to provide increased resistance to ignition compared to standard domestic upholstery.
CRIB 5 upholstery is commonly specified for commercial environments where enhanced fire safety standards are required, including hotels, guest houses, care homes, student accommodation and other public or shared buildings.
The standard is based on the BS 6807 Source 5 ignition test, which uses a wooden crib ignition source to assess the fire resistance of upholstered furniture materials.
What Does Source 5 Mean?
The terms CRIB 5 and Source 5 are often used interchangeably.
Source 5 refers to the ignition source used during testing, where a small wooden crib is used to assess the fire resistance of upholstery materials.
To achieve CRIB 5 compliance, the fabric, foam and upholstery components must successfully pass the required fire resistance tests.
Who Needs CRIB 5 Upholstery?
CRIB 5 upholstery is specified for:
- Hotels
- Guest houses
- Care homes
- Nursing homes
- Student accommodation
- Holiday parks
- Serviced apartments
- Commercial accommodation providers
- Public sector projects
Many commercial environments choose CRIB 5 upholstery as part of their wider fire risk management and compliance requirements.
Do Hotels Need CRIB 5 Upholstery?
Yes.
Hotels, guest houses, care homes, student accommodation and other commercial environments should use CRIB 5 upholstery rather than standard domestic upholstery.
CRIB 5 (Source 5) fabrics and materials are specifically designed for commercial use and provide a higher level of fire resistance than standard domestic upholstery.
For this reason, CRIB 5 has become the recognised upholstery standard throughout the hospitality industry.
Do Guest Houses And B&Bs Need CRIB 5?
Yes.
If your accommodation is used by paying guests or members of the public, CRIB 5 upholstery is the recommended specification for headboards and other upholstered furniture.
Most guest houses, bed and breakfasts, holiday accommodation providers and serviced apartments choose CRIB 5 upholstery because it is designed specifically for commercial environments and hospitality use.
If you are furnishing accommodation for guests rather than private domestic use, CRIB 5 is generally the correct choice.
Do I Need CRIB 5 Upholstery At Home?
No
For normal domestic use, standard upholstery that complies with UK domestic furniture regulations is normally sufficient.
CRIB 5 upholstery is primarily intended for commercial environments such as hotels, guest houses, care homes and other accommodation used by members of the public.
Many homeowners still choose CRIB 5 fabrics for additional peace of mind, but it is not normally required for private residential use.
What Is The Difference Between CRIB 5 And Standard Upholstery?
The main difference is the level of fire resistance.
Standard domestic upholstery is manufactured to comply with UK domestic furniture regulations, while CRIB 5 upholstery is designed to meet the more demanding requirements often associated with commercial environments.
CRIB 5 furniture typically uses specially specified fabrics, foams and upholstery materials that have been tested to achieve Source 5 compliance.
Do Wooden And Metal Headboards Need CRIB 5?
CRIB 5 relates to upholstered furniture, fabrics and fillings rather than non-upholstered materials such as wood and metal.
This means that standard wooden headboards and metal headboards do not generally require CRIB 5 upholstery because they do not contain upholstered fabric panels, padding or soft fillings.
However, upholstered headboards intended for hotels, guest houses, care homes and other commercial accommodation should normally be manufactured using CRIB 5 compliant fabrics and fillings.
In commercial accommodation, the items that typically require compliance with furniture fire safety regulations include:
- Upholstered headboards and footboards
- Mattresses and divan bases
- Sofas and sofa beds
- Armchairs and upholstered seating
- Scatter cushions and seat pads
- Other upholstered furniture containing fillings or fabric coverings
For this reason, many hotels and guest houses choose either:
- CRIB 5 upholstered headboards
- Wooden headboards
- Metal headboards
depending on the style, maintenance requirements and overall design of the room.
If you are furnishing accommodation used by paying guests or members of the public, upholstered furniture should normally be specified to the appropriate contract standards, whereas non-upholstered wooden and metal headboards do not generally require CRIB 5 upholstery. can often be a suitable alternative where a fully upholstered contract headboard is not required.
Does CRIB 5 Mean Fireproof?
No.
CRIB 5 does not mean that furniture is completely fireproof.
It means that the upholstery materials have been tested to provide a higher level of resistance to ignition than standard domestic upholstery under specified test conditions.
No upholstered furniture should ever be considered completely fireproof.
Contract Headboards With CRIB 5 Upholstery
Many contract headboards are available with CRIB 5 compliant fabrics, making them suitable for a wide range of hospitality and commercial applications.
At Headboards UK, our contract collection includes made-to-order headboards available in a range of contract-grade fabrics, sizes and styles designed specifically for hotels, guest houses, care homes and other commercial interiors.
👉 Explore our collection of:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CRIB 5 a legal requirement?
For upholstered furniture used in hotels, guest houses, care homes and other commercial accommodation, CRIB 5 is the recognised contract upholstery standard. If furniture is intended for use by paying guests or members of the public, CRIB 5 upholstery should normally be specified.
What does Source 5 mean?
Source 5 refers to the ignition source used during CRIB 5 fire resistance testing.
Can I buy CRIB 5 headboards for my home?
Yes. Although primarily intended for commercial environments, CRIB 5 upholstered headboards can also be supplied for domestic use.
Is CRIB 5 more expensive than standard upholstery?
CRIB 5 fabrics and materials can sometimes increase manufacturing costs due to the specialist materials and testing requirements involved.
Does CRIB 5 mean fireproof?
No. CRIB 5 indicates increased fire resistance under specific test conditions but does not mean completely fireproof.
For advice on choosing between different headboard styles, see our: