If you've spent any time comparing contract mattresses, you'll have seen "CRIB 5" and "BS7177" stamped across almost every product description. For care home managers and procurement teams, these aren't just technical footnotes. They're the difference between a mattress that's legally fit for purpose and one that could leave a home exposed in the event of a fire safety inspection, or worse, an actual fire.
This guide breaks down what the terms mean, which standard applies where, and what to actually check before you buy.
What is BS7177?
BS7177 is the British Standard for the fire performance of furniture used in beds, mattresses and other domestic and contract furnishings. It sets out how furniture is tested against ignition sources, primarily cigarettes and matches, and grades the result.
Within BS7177, there are different "sources" of ignition resistance:
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Source 0: no specific fire resistance (domestic-only, general public use)
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Source 1: cigarette resistant (low-risk domestic)
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Source 3: cigarette and match resistant (general contract use, including hotels and rented property)
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Source 5, also known as CRIB 5: cigarette, match, and a simulated crib fire test using wood and cotton materials designed to mimic a more severe smouldering or flaming fire scenario
So what is CRIB 5, specifically?
CRIB 5 isn't a separate standard. It's the highest ignition-resistance test within BS7177's contract furniture requirements, technically referred to as BS7177 Source 5 or the "crib 5 test". A mattress that passes CRIB 5 has been tested against a more severe ignition scenario than one that only meets Source 3.
This matters because care settings are classed as higher-risk occupancies under fire safety guidance. Residents may have reduced mobility, sensory impairment, or be reliant on staff to evacuate, which changes the acceptable level of fire risk compared with, say, a rented flat.
Do care homes legally have to use CRIB 5 mattresses?
This is where it gets nuanced, and it's worth being precise rather than reassuring. Fire safety law in the UK, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales and equivalent legislation elsewhere in the UK, places a general duty on the "responsible person" for a care premises to carry out a fire risk assessment and take reasonable steps to reduce fire risk. It does not, in a single line of primary legislation, say "you must buy CRIB 5 mattresses."
In practice, though:
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CQC inspections and local fire authority guidance treat CRIB 5 (BS7177 Source 5) as the expected standard for residential care settings, given the higher-risk resident profile
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Insurers frequently specify CRIB 5 compliance as a condition of cover for care premises
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Most reputable contract furniture suppliers only market CRIB 5 mattresses into the care sector specifically because it's the de facto expected standard
The safest practical position is to treat CRIB 5 as the minimum standard for any mattress, divan base, or headboard used in resident-facing areas of a care home, and keep supplier compliance documentation on file in case it's requested during an inspection or after an incident.
This guide is informational and not a substitute for your own fire risk assessment or professional fire safety advice. If you're unsure what applies to your specific premises, speak to your fire risk assessor or local fire authority.
What to actually ask a supplier before you buy
Don't take "fire safety compliant" on a product page at face value. Ask for:
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A copy of the test certificate, not just a badge or logo, showing the specific standard tested (BS7177 Source 5 / CRIB 5) and the test house that carried it out
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Confirmation the certificate covers the exact product you're buying. Cover fabric, filling, and construction can all affect fire performance, so a certificate for one mattress range doesn't automatically cover a different one
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Batch or date traceability so you can match a delivered product back to its certification if it's ever queried
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Whether the certificate is in-date. Standards and test methods are periodically reviewed, and a certificate from a discontinued product line isn't useful
A supplier that hesitates to provide this, or points you to marketing copy instead of a document, is worth a second look.
Waterproofing and CRIB 5 aren't the same thing
One common mix-up is that a mattress can be both waterproof (or water-resistant) and CRIB 5 rated, but they're solving different problems. Waterproofing protects against fluid ingress, which is relevant for incontinence care and infection control. CRIB 5 is purely about fire performance. For most care settings, you want both, but check each is independently confirmed rather than assuming one implies the other. We've written a separate guide on [waterproof vs water-resistant mattresses for care homes] that covers this in more depth.
Where to go from here
Our Care Home Mattresses range is built to CRIB 5 / BS7177 Source 5 as standard, with compliance certification available on request for every product. If you're procuring at scale, such as replacing mattresses across multiple rooms or a full home, our Contract Mattresses hub also covers sizing, pocket sprung vs open coil options, and bulk pricing.
FAQs
Is CRIB 5 the same as BS7177?
No. BS7177 is the overarching British Standard for fire performance of beds and mattresses. CRIB 5 refers specifically to Source 5 within that standard, the highest ignition-resistance level, and the one expected for care settings.
What happens if a care home uses non-compliant mattresses?
Beyond the safety risk itself, it can affect insurance validity, create liability in the event of an incident, and be flagged during a fire risk assessment or CQC-linked inspection. Responsible persons under fire safety law are expected to take reasonable steps to manage this risk.
Can I get CRIB 5 mattresses at short notice?
Availability varies by supplier and stock levels at the time. Ask about lead times directly if you're managing an urgent replacement, for example following a fire risk assessment finding.
Do care home divan bases and headboards need to be CRIB 5 rated too, or just the mattress?
The mattress is the primary focus of most fire safety guidance for beds, but divan bases, headboards and other upholstered furniture in resident-facing areas are typically expected to meet at least BS7177 Source 3, with many settings applying Source 5 across all upholstered items for consistency. Check with your fire risk assessor for your specific premises.
Does a CRIB 5 certificate expire?
The certificate itself relates to a tested product configuration rather than having a fixed expiry, but if the manufacturer changes the fabric, filling or construction, a new test is required. Ask your supplier to confirm the certificate matches the current product.
Are all our care home mattresses CRIB 5 as standard?
Yes. Every product in our Care Home Mattresses range is manufactured to BS7177 Source 5 (CRIB 5), with test documentation available on request.
We're a small residential home, not a big chain. Does this still apply to us?
Yes. Fire safety duties and the expected standard for resident-facing furniture apply regardless of the size of the setting or number of beds.
What's the difference between CRIB 5 and hotel-grade fire safety (Source 3)?
Source 3 (cigarette and match resistant) is generally accepted for hotel and rental furniture, where the occupancy risk profile is lower. CRIB 5 (Source 5) adds a simulated crib fire test and is the expected standard where occupants may have reduced ability to evacuate quickly, as in care settings.
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