BS 7177:UK Mattress Flammability Standards

BS 7177 is the core technical specification for mattress and bed base fire safety in the United Kingdom, directly determining whether a product can legally enter the UK domestic and contract markets. For furniture manufacturers, hotel procurement teams, and international traders, a deep understanding of this standard is critical. This article provides a detailed, rigorous industry guide to BS 7177, analyzing the risk classification system, the reality of Crib 5 testing, labeling specifications, and fabric selection strategies from a professional compliance perspective.

BS 7177 Standard Background and Core Definitions

BS 7177, fully titled “Specification for resistance to ignition of mattresses, mattress pads, divans and bed bases,” is the primary fire safety standard for sleeping furniture in the UK. It operates in conjunction with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This standard is not merely a testing manual but a rigorous risk-based classification system based on end-use environments. Its core logic dictates that products must resist specific ignition source intensities corresponding to the fire risk level of their intended location (e.g., homes, hotels, prisons).

Product Scope and Exclusions of BS 7177

BS 7177 clearly defines its jurisdiction, primarily targeting the main components of sleeping support structures. The standard does not cover all textiles on a bed; rather, it strictly targets those containing flammable filling that could constitute a significant Fuel Load. The specific scope is as follows:

1. Core Products (In Scope)

The following products are mandatorily required to comply with BS 7177:

• Mattresses: Includes all types of spring, foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses, whether for domestic or contract use.
• Soft Divans & Bed Bases: Refers to upholstered bed bases. Because these bases contain timber, fabric, and layers of foam, they are considered combustibles in a fire scenario and must meet the same compliance level as the mattress.
• Mattress Pads (Toppers/Comfort Layers): (Critical Point) This specifically refers to pads with a filling layer (e.g., Toppers, Quilted Pads).
  Criteria: If the product contains foam, wading, or fiber filling intended to add softness or comfort to the mattress, it falls under BS 7177 jurisdiction and must undergo flammability testing.

2. Key Exclusions (Out of Scope)

To avoid compliance errors, it must be clarified that the following products are not governed by BS 7177:

• Mattress Protectors: Refers to thin covers used solely for protection against dust, staining, or liquids (often single-layer fabrics or waterproof coatings). As they contain no substantial filling and pose minimal fuel load, they are exempt from BS 7177 (usually classified under general textile safety).
• Bedding: Pillows, quilts, and duvets fall under BS 7175 (High Hazard) or BS 5852.
• Sheets and Duvet Covers: These are governed by BS 5815 (Public Sector) or general textile regulations.

Risk-Based BS 7177 Hazard Category System

BS 7177 categorizes application scenarios into four levels: Low, Medium, High, and Very High Hazard. This classification is the core basis for procurement specifications. Any mattress product entering the UK market must clearly state the hazard category it complies with.

Hazard Category	Typical Application Scenarios	Required Test Ignition Sources
Low Hazard	Domestic dwellings, non-motorized caravans, domestic guest rooms.	Must pass BS EN 597-1 (Source 0: Cigarette) and BS EN 597-2 (Source 1: Match).
Medium Hazard	Hotels, Hospital general wards, Care Homes, Boarding schools, University halls of residence, Holiday camps.	In addition to Source 0 and Source 1, must pass BS 6807 Source 5 (Crib 5).
High Hazard	Specific hospital wards (e.g., high-dependency units), offshore installations, high-risk hostels.	In addition to Source 0 and Source 1, must pass BS 6807 Source 7 (Crib 7).
Very High Hazard	Prisons, Locked psychiatric units, Police custody cells.	Must pass Source 0, Source 1, and Source 7. May require additional anti-vandal or tear-resistance testing based on project specs.

Core Test Methods Referenced by BS 7177

As a specification document, BS 7177 dictates “what to test,” while the specific “how to test” procedures are referenced from three core method standards: BS EN 597-1, BS EN 597-2, and BS 6807. Testing is typically conducted in controlled laboratories using finished mattresses or scaled-down Test Rigs.

• BS EN 597-1 (Smouldering Cigarette): A lit standard cigarette is placed on the mattress surface and quilt lines to observe if it induces progressive smouldering.
• BS EN 597-2 (Match Flame Equivalent): A butane gas flame simulating a match is applied to the mattress surface for 20 seconds. Post-removal combustion is observed.
• BS 6807 (Ignition Sources 5 & 7): Uses specific wooden cribs. Crib 5 (5 tiers high) uses alcohol accelerant; Crib 7 (7 tiers high) is larger. This is the critical test distinguishing contract (commercial) mattresses from domestic ones.

Key Criteria for Passing BS 7177 Tests

BS 7177 employs a “Pass/Fail” binary mechanism rather than a numerical score. Testers focus on the product’s “Ignitability” and “Self-extinguishing capability.”

The primary criteria for a pass include:

• Self-Extinguishing Time: For the match test, flames must extinguish within 120 seconds after source removal. For Crib 5/7 tests, all flaming combustion must cease within 10 minutes of ignition.
• No Penetration: Flames or smouldering must not penetrate through the full thickness of the mattress to the underside.
• No Lateral Spread: Charring or combustion marks must not extend to the edges of the test rig.
• Smouldering Limits: Internal smouldering must not continue for more than 60 minutes.

Comparison of BS 7177 with BS 5852 and BS 5867

Understanding the distinction between BS 7177 and other British Standards is crucial for project procurement. These standards govern different areas of soft furnishings and cannot be interchanged.

Comparative Standard	Core Difference Explained
VS BS 5852 (Upholstery)	BS 5852 applies to upholstered seating (sofas, chairs). While both use the Crib 5 source, BS 7177 is designed for horizontal mattress structures with different test positioning and failure criteria. A BS 5852 certificate cannot substitute for a mattress certificate.
VS BS 5867 (Curtains)	BS 5867 applies to curtains and drapes, utilizing vertical flammability testing methods. For hotel procurement, valid certificates for both BS 7177 (Beds) and BS 5867 (Curtains) must be provided separately.

Specific Procurement Requirements for BS 7177 Hazard Levels

Procurement officers must strictly enforce BS 7177 hazard classifications based on the Premises Type. Purchasing the wrong grade poses severe legal compliance risks.

• Hotels & B&Bs: Must purchase products compliant with Medium Hazard (Crib 5). Domestic mattresses (Low Hazard) are legally prohibited for hotel use.
• NHS Hospitals: The standard requirement is Medium Hazard (Crib 5). However, risk assessments for psychiatric or high-dependency wards may mandate an upgrade to High Hazard (Crib 7).
• Prison Systems (HMP): Mandatorily require Very High Hazard (Crib 7). Beyond flammability, specifications typically require fabrics to be anti-vandal (high tear strength) and waterproof.

Fabric Flammability and Physical Requirements for BS 7177 Compliance

To pass the BS 7177 Crib 5 or Crib 7 tests, the fabric and filling must function as an integrated system. Technical requirements for the fabric focus heavily on char formation and durability.

• Char Formation: Upon contact with the ignition source, the fabric should rapidly carbonize to form a hard, insulating char layer, preventing heat from transferring to the foam beneath.
• Material Selection: Inherently FR fibers (e.g., FR Polyester, FR Viscose) are recommended. Their flame-retardant properties do not degrade with washing, making them ideal for hygiene-critical environments like hotels and hospitals.
• No Molten Debris: The fabric must not produce flaming droplets (molten debris) during combustion, to avoid igniting lower layers or causing secondary injuries.

Common Industry Misconceptions and Notes Regarding BS 7177 Compliance

Manufacturers and traders often fall into compliance traps due to incomplete understanding of the clauses. The following are two critical misconceptions that must be corrected.

• Misconception 1: “The finished product passed, so the foam is fine.”
  Correction: UK Regulations strictly mandate that every layer of polyurethane foam inside the mattress must individually pass the BS 5852 single-material test. A product where the composite passes BS 7177 but the internal foam fails strictly violates the law.
• Misconception 2: “Any FR fabric can pass Crib 5.”
  Correction: The Crib 5 test evaluates the “Fabric + Foam” composite effect. If the internal foam has poor fire resistance, heat will penetrate the fabric and ignite the foam, causing failure. Lightweight fabrics often require high-grade FR foam to pass.

BS 7177 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)