Contract Bed Regulations

Source 5/Crib 5

All beds and mattresses used as contract furniture are legally required to comply with Source 5/Crib 5 regulations.

Source 5/Crib 5 explained

The British Standard (BS) requires domestic furniture to pass the following tests:

• BS EN 5971 (Smoulding cigarette test)
• BS EN 5972 (Match test)

Contract furniture is additionally required ti pass the following tests:

• BS 6807 (Flame retardant test) - This is more commonly referred to as the Source 5 or Crib 5 test.

All of these tests are carried out on a section of bed/mattress that replicates the makeup of the unit and the surface properties, such as tufting, quilt lines and tape edges.

Establishments requiring Source 5/Crib 5 furniture

The following establishments are legally required to use contract beds and mattresses as standard (Please note this is an example list and is not exhaustive).

• Hotels
• B&Bs
• Guest Houses
• Hostels
• Pubs
• Boarding Schools
• Halls of Residence
• Residential Homes
• Holiday Camps

For more information, visit FIRA. 

Last Updated: 24/01/2014

Source 7/Crib 7

If a contract bed or mattress is to be used in a high risk area, it is legally required for the products to comply with Source 7/Crib 7 UK regulations.

Source 7/Crib 7 explained

Source 7/Crib 7 is required for high-level hazards, as part of British Standards BS 7177.

Establishments that require Source 7/Crib 7 furniture

The following establishments are legally required to use contract beds and mattresses as standard (Please note this is an example list and is not exhaustive).

• Oil Rigs
• Prisons
• Mental Institutions

Last Updated: 24/01/2014

Bunk Bed Regulations

The supply of bunk beds in the UK are controlled by two sets of safety regulations; The Bunk Beds (Entrapment Hazards) (Safety) Regulations and the General Product Safety Regulations.

The Bunk Beds (Entrapment Hazards) (Safety) Regulations

This regulation deals only with the issues of entrapment. The regulations control the size of any gaps produced, at or above a height of 800mm, in the sleeping surface and any bars, rails, headboards, foot boards which may create a risk of injury to a user, especially children.

The General Product Safety (GPS) Regulations

Using relevant European Standards (BS EN 747), the GPS regulations considers entrapment and structural characteristics of the bed

Click here for more detailed information about these regulations. 

Last Updated: 28/01/2014

Fire Safety Videos

Mattress Fire Safety Test:

Bed Base Fire Safety Test:

Last Updated: 03/05/2018