What is Crib 5 Fabric?
Crib 5, also known as Ignition Source 5, is the UK fire safety standard for contract furniture. It ensures that materials can withstand ignition from sources like flaming wood or matches without sustaining flames or smouldering beyond the ignition point. This standard is crucial for public spaces such as hotels, hospitals, and offices.
Crib 5 fabrics can be:
- Inherently Fire-Resistant: Made from fibres that are naturally non-flammable.
- Treated for Fire Resistance: Undergo chemical treatments or use fireproof fibres to meet Crib 5 standards.
What is Crib 1 Fabric?
Crib 1 fabrics are designed for domestic use and offer protection against ignition from cigarettes and matches. They are not suitable for contract furniture unless they undergo additional treatment to meet Crib 5 standards. This treatment can be applied through:
- Coating: Applying a fire-retardant back-coating to the fabric.
- Dipping: Immersing the fabric in a fire-retardant chemical, often used for natural fibres.
Impact on Lead Time
Using Crib 1 fabrics in contract furniture necessitates additional fire-retardant treatment to meet Crib 5 standards. This process can extend lead times, and during periods of high demand, extreme delays have been reported.
Martindale Rub Test
The Martindale rub test measures fabric durability by assessing how many cycles of abrasion a fabric can withstand before showing signs of wear. The ratings are:
- 10,000 or less: Suitable for decorative use only.
- 10,000–15,000: Light domestic use.
- 15,000–25,000: General domestic use.
- 25,000–30,000: Heavy domestic use.
- 30,000 or more: Commercial grade, suitable for high-traffic areas.
Whether you’re outfitting a hotel, office, or care facility, choosing CRIB 5-certified fabric ensures your furniture is compliant, safe, and ready to go.
