What Are Crib 5 Fire Regulations?
Crib 5 (also known as Ignition Source 5) is a critical term within the hospitality industry, referring to fire safety standards that all furniture and furnishings in commercial buildings must adhere to according to the UK Fire Regulations Act of 1988.
These regulations ensure that furniture and furnishings used in commercial premises are treated to significantly reduce the risk of ignition, potentially saving lives. Although the test doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of fire, its rigorous standards greatly minimize the potential for fire to spread.
Crib 5 Fire Retardant Tests Explained
To comply with UK fire safety standards, furniture and furnishings must successfully pass three separate fire resistance tests. Here’s a breakdown of each test:
Test One: The Smouldering Cigarette Test (Code Number BS EN 5971)
Despite a decline in the number of smokers in the UK, smoking remains one of the leading causes of fatal fires. From 2014 to 2018, more than a quarter of fire-related deaths were due to fires caused by smoking.
One of the top safety recommendations from the London Fire Brigade is to avoid smoking in bed or on upholstered furniture. However, many people still engage in this risky behaviour, making fire safety testing crucial for contract furniture. The smouldering cigarette test (BS EN 597-1) addresses this hazard.
In this test, a lit cigarette is placed in a crevice of a test rig made with materials commonly used in contract bed frames. The cigarette is observed for its full burn duration to see if any flames or smouldering occurs. If neither is observed, the material passes the test and is deemed safe to use.
Test Two: The Match Test (Code Number BS EN 5972)
The second test is similar in approach to the first. A lit match is held alongside a crevice of a test rig, constructed using the materials in question, for 20 seconds. The purpose of this test is to simulate a scenario where a small open flame, such as a match, comes into direct contact with the furniture. This helps evaluate how resistant the material is to an open flame, which is crucial in real-world situations where accidental contact with a flame could occur.
During the test, the material is closely observed for any signs of ignition or smouldering. If no flames or smouldering are detected after the 20-second exposure, the test is considered successful, and the material is given a "no ignition" outcome. This ensures that the furniture will not easily catch fire from a small flame, adding an extra layer of safety in commercial environments.
Test Three: Crib 5
The Crib 5 test is conducted specifically for upholstery and furniture coverings used in commercial environments. The test involves placing a crib-like wooden structure at the base of the test material. The crib, made of wood and glued together, consists of five tiers, hence the name Crib 5.
Lint is placed at the bottom of the crib, along with a non-flammable liquid. The crib is then ignited and observed for up to 10 minutes or until it extinguishes itself. To pass the test, the crib must self-extinguish within 10 minutes without burning through the material or the padding beneath it.
Different fabrics burn at different rates, but passing the Crib 5 test within the 10-minute window is crucial.
For environments with higher fire risks, such as prison cells, the furniture must pass a more stringent "Crib 7" test.
Meeting Crib 5 standards is the minimum requirement for fire resistance for contract furniture across the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Flame-retardant fabrics and textiles are often specially treated or manufactured to enhance their fire resistance.
The video below shows a demonstration of a Crib 5 Fire Retardant Test.
