Trade guide
UK fire regulations for mattresses and beds: a trade guide
Short answer: In the UK, mattresses and bed bases are treated differently from upholstered furniture. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 exclude mattresses and bed bases from their cigarette, match and permanent-label rules, but still control filling materials. Mattresses are instead tested to BS 7177: Low Hazard (cigarette and match-equivalent tests) for homes, and Medium, High or Very High Hazard for contract premises such as hotels, depending on the fire risk assessment.
Key facts
- Domestic mattresses: BS 7177 Low Hazard (BS EN 597-1 cigarette and BS EN 597-2 match-equivalent tests).
- Contract mattresses: BS 7177 Medium Hazard adds the Crib 5 (ignition source 5) test; High and Very High use Crib 7.
- Upholstered beds, headboards and sofas fall under the 1988 Regulations and need a permanent label.
- The 2025 amendment removed the display (swing) label requirement; the permanent label stays.
- Flair Trade offers Crib 5 and Source 5 fire-retardant options for contract use on request.
The two sets of rules
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended) apply to furniture supplied in the UK for private use, including furniture supplied in rented homes. Regulation 5 requires upholstery to pass a cigarette test and regulation 8 requires permanent covers to pass a match test, but both exclude mattresses, bed bases, pillows and cushions. Filling materials used in furniture, including mattresses, must still pass the Regulations' ignitability tests.
BS 7177 (Specification for resistance to ignition of mattresses, mattress pads, divans and bed bases) is the standard that mattresses and bed bases are tested to. Under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, a domestic mattress is normally shown to be safe by passing BS 7177 Low Hazard.
BS 7177 hazard categories
| Category | Tests | Typical premises (from BS 7177) |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Cigarette (BS EN 597-1) and match-equivalent (BS EN 597-2) | Domestic dwellings, including non-motorised caravans |
| Medium | Low tests plus ignition source 5 (Crib 5, BS 6807) | Hotels, hostels, halls of residence, boarding schools, holiday camp chalets, hospitals, old people's homes |
| High | Low tests plus ignition source 7 (Crib 7) | Certain hospital wards, some hostels and hotels, offshore installations, old people's homes |
| Very High | High tests plus extra requirements set by the specifier | Locked psychiatric accommodation, prison cells |
The examples are typical only. The fire risk assessment for the premises can place a product in a higher or lower category. More: BS 7177 and Crib 5 explained.
Upholstered beds, headboards and sofa beds
Upholstered bed frames, headboards, sofa beds and sofas are "furniture" under the 1988 Regulations. Their fillings and covers must pass the relevant tests and they must carry a permanent label. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 removed the requirement for a display (swing) label; the permanent label requirement is unchanged. For contract seating, BS 7176 is the usual specification.
Rented homes, HMOs and holiday lets
Furniture supplied as part of a let, including in HMOs, falls within the 1988 Regulations. Holiday lets, guest houses and other paying-guest accommodation are also covered by fire safety law (the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales), which requires a fire risk assessment. See HMO and landlord furnishing and holiday let furnishing.
What to ask for when you buy
- The BS 7177 hazard category each mattress and bed base has been tested to.
- Test certificates for contract orders.
- Confirmation that upholstered items carry the permanent label.
- Whether the supplier offers fire-retardant options for contract use.
Flair Trade offers Crib 5 and Source 5 fire-retardant options for contract use (BS 7177), available on request as a quote option, with certificates supplied with trade orders. Tell us your premises type and specification and request a contract quote.
Disclaimer
This guide is a plain-English summary of public legislation and standards, correct to the best of our knowledge at the date below. It is not legal advice. Check current legislation on legislation.gov.uk and GOV.UK, and agree requirements with your fire risk assessor or Trading Standards.
Frequently asked questions
Do mattresses need a fire label in the UK?
What fire standard do domestic mattresses meet?
What is a Crib 5 mattress?
Do landlords need fire-safe mattresses?
Can Flair supply fire-retardant mattresses for contract use?
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Flair Trade is a trading name of Flair Furniture Ltd, Old Delivery Office, Oldfield Lane, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire WF16 0JD. Registered in England and Wales, company no. 7536751. VAT no. GB121713455.