BS 5815: Fire Safety Standards for UK Public Sector Bedding

BS 5815 is the comprehensive product specification standard designed specifically for bedding used in the public sector. Unlike standard retail bedding, BS 5815 mandates not only rigorous flame retardancy but also the ability to withstand at least 50 cycles of high-temperature industrial thermal disinfection while maintaining both physical integrity and fire safety properties.

1. What is the BS 5815 Standard?

BS 5815 (Specifications for bedding, counterpanes and continental quilt secondary covers suitable for use in the public sector) serves as the “Gold Standard” in public procurement. It regulates essential textile products to ensure they are durable, safe, and fit for purpose in demanding environments.

BS 5815 is not a single document but a series of individual standards. Always ensure you are working with the current versions:

Part	Standard Number	Product Coverage
Part 1	BS 5815-1:2005 (2011)	Sheeting, sheets, and pillowslips (Direct contact items).
Part 3	BS 5815-3:1991 (R2012)	Counterpanes and duvet covers (Outer layer items).
Part 2	BS 5815-2:1988	Towels and napkins.

Why This Standard Matters: Safety and Quality

While synonymous with the NHS, BS 5815 is the required benchmark for various high-traffic sectors:

• Healthcare: Hospitals and nursing homes where hygiene and cross-infection control are paramount.
• Transportation: Sleeper trains (Railways), cruise ships, and overnight transport services.
• Hospitality & Education: University dormitories, hostels, and contract-sector hotels.
• Secure Facilities: Prisons and detention centres.

2. BS 5815 Core Architecture: Classification by Use

BS 5815 is classified strictly by “End-use Application.” This classification dictates the physical strength indicators and wash durability levels required. Confusing these categories (e.g., testing a duvet cover against Part 1 standards) is a common cause of tender disqualification.

BS 5815 Part 1: Direct Contact & High-Frequency Wash Items

Applicable Objects: Consumable textiles that directly contact the skin and require daily changing and washing.

• Sheeting & Sheets: Includes flat sheets, fitted sheets, and draw sheets used for patient movement.
• Pillowslips: The direct contact layer encasing the pillow inner.
• Towels & Napkins: Includes bath towels, hand towels, and glass cloths used in hospital pantries.

Technical Focus: Part 1 enforces extremely strict requirements for “Tensile Strength” and “Chlorine Bleach Resistance” due to daily thermal disinfection.

BS 5815 Part 3: Outer Layer Coverings

Applicable Objects: Fabrics located at the outermost layer of the bed, providing warmth or decoration.

• Continental Quilt Secondary Covers: Commonly known as Duvet Covers.
  Note: Although the fabric may resemble sheeting, in the BS 5815 hierarchy, duvet covers are classified under Part 3.
• Counterpanes: Bedspreads covering the entire bed.
• Thermal Blankets: Hospital-grade cellular blankets are typically assessed against Part 3 physical standards.

3. The Rigorous Testing Process

The core competency of BS 5815 lies in its “Destroy then Test” methodology. Products must prove they remain safe after simulating their entire lifecycle of industrial cleaning.

Step 1: The 50-Wash Pre-treatment

Before any ignition test, all samples must undergo 50 complete washing and drying cycles (typically according to BS 5651). The temperature is usually set >71°C for thermal disinfection. This verifies that the flame retardant is permanent and eliminates low-quality fabrics.

Step 2: Flammability Testing Procedure (The Butane Flame Test)

Once the samples are washed and dried, the specific flammability test (as detailed in BS 5815-3 and referenced methods) is conducted:

The Method:

• A wide vertical strip of the fabric (or assembly) is suspended.
• A specified small butane flame is applied directly to the face (surface) of the fabric for a prescribed duration.
• Observations: The tester observes the vertical and horizontal spread of the flame on the fabric.
• Measurements: The test records the behavior of any flaming debris, measures the duration of afterflame and afterglow, and evaluates the extent of hole formation.

4. Pass/Fail Criteria (The Metrics)

To achieve certification, the product must meet the following strict criteria regarding flame spread and damage. If any single criterion is violated, the sample fails.

Flammability Acceptance Limits

• Flame Boundary: The lowest boundary of any flame must not reach the upper edge or either vertical edge of the specimen.
• Hole Formation: Any hole formed by the flame must not extend to the upper edge or either vertical edge of the specimen.
• Afterflame Time: The average duration of flaming (afterflame) must not exceed 4 seconds after the ignition source is removed.

The Re-testing Rule

The standard allows a specific provision for borderline cases:

“If one sample fails in the initial test, six new samples must be tested. For the product to pass, all six of these new samples must fully comply with the above requirements.”

Physical Specification Requirements

In addition to flammability, the fabric must pass physical checks after the 50 washes:

• Tensile Strength (BS EN ISO 13934-1): Measures resistance to breaking under tension.
• Dimensional Stability (BS EN ISO 6330 / 5077): Shrinkage typically restricted to 5-8% max.
• Colour Fastness (BS EN ISO 105 Series): Resistance to fading from washing and chlorine bleach.
• Pilling Resistance (BS EN ISO 12945): Prevention of fiber ball formation.

5. BS 5815 in Context: The UK Fire Safety Ecosystem

BS 5815 does not exist in isolation. It complies with a broader safety framework. Using the wrong standard for the wrong product is a critical compliance failure.

Standard	Primary Application	Key Focus
BS 5815	Public Sector Bedding (Sheets, Duvet Covers)	Durability + Flame spread limiting + Washability.
BS 7175	Bedding Components (Mattress Covers, Pillows)	Ignitability testing (Sources 0, 1, 5, 7).
BS 5867	Curtains & Drapes	Vertical flame spread (Type B or C).
BS 5852	Upholstered Furniture (Sofas, Chairs)	Resistance to smouldering and flaming ignition sources.

6. Fabric Selection Guide: Polyester vs. Cotton

Due to the extreme “High-Temperature Wash” requirements of BS 5815, the range of suitable fabrics is physically limited.

• Preferred: 100% IFR Polyester (Inherently Flame Retardant)
  This is the mainstream solution for BS 5815 compliance. Using high-performance inherently flame-retardant fibers, the FR molecule is built directly into the fiber structure. The flame retardancy never washes out, and shrinkage is minimal, making it ideal for hospital rental laundry systems.
• Secondary: FR Treated Cotton
  While cotton offers superior comfort, passing BS 5815 is extremely challenging. After 50 high-temp washes, cotton fibers often degrade significantly (losing tensile strength), and chemical FR treatments may leach out, causing potential flammability failure. This is typically reserved for high-budget, specialized care projects where comfort is the priority over longevity.

7. Practical Steps: How to Verify Compliance

Product compliance is not self-certified. For procurement managers and suppliers, the process involves:

1. Obtain the Standard: Purchase the official document from the BSI (British Standards Institution).
2. Third-Party Testing: Send samples to a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
3. Check the Report: Ensure the report explicitly states a “PASS” against BS 5815 (Part 1 or 3) after the 50-wash pre-treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)