What Is Crib5 Upholstery Fabric?
Crib5 upholstery fabric is upholstery fabric that has been tested for ignitibility using a demanding flaming ignition source. It is most often discussed in contract, hospitality and public-facing interiors, where chairs, banquettes, headboards and lounge seating may need a clearer fire-performance specification than ordinary domestic furniture.
For designers, upholsterers and hospitality buyers, the question is usually simple: does this fabric need extra fire-retardant treatment, or is the fabric already suitable for the requirement? That distinction matters for lead time, cost, handle, colour and confidence when specifying.
The important point is that Crib5 does not have to mean plain or institutional fabric. Patterned velvet upholstery fabric can still be suitable for contract interiors when the right basecloth, documentation and project sign-off are in place.
Quick answer: what is Crib5 upholstery fabric?
Crib5 upholstery fabric is fabric that has been tested against a Source 5 ignition test, commonly referred to as Crib5 or Crib 5. It is often requested for contract upholstery projects such as hotels, restaurants, bars, guest spaces, commercial lounges and other high-use public interiors.
Crib5 is not a colour, fibre or finish. It is a fire-performance requirement. A fabric can be velvet, patterned, abstract, floral, plain or textured and still be considered for Crib5 use if the correct test evidence or treatment route supports the project.
What does Crib5 mean?
Crib5 usually refers to BS 5852:2006 Clause 11 Source 5, a test method used to assess the ignitibility of upholstered seating materials by smouldering and flaming ignition sources. In plain English, it looks at how the upholstered material combination behaves when exposed to a defined ignition source.
Because hospitality and commercial seating is used by many people, often over long periods, specifiers may ask for Crib5 performance before approving fabric for restaurant chairs, hotel bedroom chairs, bar seating, banquettes, reception seating and other contract furniture.
Does Crib5 fabric always need treatment?
No. Some upholstery fabrics need an additional fire-retardant treatment to meet a Crib5 requirement. Others may be made on a basecloth that has already been tested to Source 5. That difference is important.
Where a fabric needs treatment after production, it can add cost and lead time, and the finished handle should be checked. Where the basecloth itself has the required test evidence, the process can be simpler for the buyer because the fabric is not relying on a separate Crib5 treatment stage after printing.
Saint & Poet printed velvet and the Crib5 basecloth advantage
Saint & Poet printed patterned velvet ranges can be produced on a Crib5-tested velvet basecloth. This is a valuable specification point for contract and hospitality projects because it allows expressive printed velvet designs to be considered where a Source 5 fire-performance requirement is part of the brief.
In practical terms, selected printed velvets may not need an additional Crib5 fire-retardant treatment applied after printing, because the fire-performance evidence relates to the basecloth itself. This is different from fabrics that need to be treated after production to meet a specific fire requirement.
For any live project, the exact fabric, batch, end use and required standard should still be confirmed before ordering. If a designer, upholsterer or contractor needs documentation, ask us for the relevant test information before the fabric is specified.
What the test report confirms
The IFS Laboratories test certificate supplied for the velvet basecloth records the following key details:
- Report number: 138277-1.
- Sample description: Shimmer Velvet Original.
- Fibre composition: 100% polyester.
- Sample end use: upholstery.
- Service requested: BS 5852:2006 Clause 11 - S5, Crib 5 Test.
- Date tested: 25 June 2026.
- Date issued: 30 June 2026.
- Overall result: PASS.
The report states that the supplied sample meets the test criteria of BS 5852:2006 Clause 11. That gives the Crib5 velvet story real weight: it is not just a general treatment option, it is supported by current test documentation for the supplied upholstery sample.
What the report does not mean
A Crib5 pass should be used carefully. The certificate relates to the sample and material combination tested under the stated test conditions. It is not a blanket assessment of every possible fire hazard in use, and it does not replace project-specific sign-off.
It also does not mean every Saint & Poet fabric has the same basecloth or the same Crib5 status. Standard upholstery fabrics, plains, linen blends and other ranges may still need separate fire-retardant treatment depending on the project. The strongest claim applies to the printed patterned velvet ranges that use the relevant Crib5-tested velvet basecloth.
Where Crib5 upholstery fabric is commonly requested
- Restaurant dining chairs and banquettes.
- Hotel bedroom chairs, suites and lounge seating.
- Bar stools and members club seating.
- Guest house and boutique accommodation furniture.
- Commercial reception areas and waiting spaces.
- Public-facing upholstered seating in high-use interiors.
Requirements vary by project, so the safest approach is to ask the designer, contractor, upholsterer or compliance lead what fire standard is required before fabric is ordered.
Why Crib5 patterned velvet matters for hospitality
Hospitality interiors need more than practical fabric. They need atmosphere. A hotel chair, restaurant banquette or bar stool is part of the experience of the space, and patterned velvet can add richness, colour and identity in a way that many plain contract fabrics cannot.
That is why Crib5 patterned velvet is such a useful search and specification category. It answers two needs at once: the project can still have expressive design, while the fabric route can support a serious contract brief.
Browse our velvet upholstery fabric collection, patterned upholstery fabric and luxury designer upholstery fabric for design-led options.
Crib5 vs soil and stain treatment
Crib5 and soil and stain treatment solve different problems. Crib5 relates to fire-performance testing. Soil and stain treatment is about helping upholstery fabric resist everyday marking from spills, dirt and use.
For hospitality seating, both questions can matter. A restaurant chair may need fire-performance evidence and also benefit from stain resistance. A hotel bedroom chair may need to look distinctive, meet the specification and remain presentable between guest stays. The right answer depends on the end use.
You can read more about available finishing options on our fabric treatment page.
Crib5 upholstery fabric checklist
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What standard does the project require? | Different interiors may ask for different fire-performance evidence. |
| Is the fabric on a Crib5-tested basecloth? | This may remove the need for a separate Crib5 treatment stage for selected velvets. |
| Is the fabric for seating, headboards or decorative use? | End use affects the specification and documentation needed. |
| Does the upholsterer need test evidence? | Some projects need paperwork before ordering or installation. |
| Is stain resistance also needed? | Fire performance and stain resistance are separate considerations. |
FAQs
Is Crib5 the same as fire-retardant fabric?
Crib5 is a fire-performance test requirement often used in contract upholstery. A fabric may meet it through a tested basecloth or through an additional fire-retardant treatment route.
Can velvet upholstery fabric be Crib5?
Yes. Velvet upholstery fabric can be suitable for Crib5 requirements when the relevant basecloth, treatment or test evidence supports the project.
Do hotels and restaurants need Crib5 upholstery fabric?
Many hospitality projects ask for Crib5 or similar fire-performance evidence, but the exact requirement depends on the project, setting and specification. Always confirm before ordering.
Does Crib5 fabric also resist stains?
No. Crib5 relates to fire performance. Soil and stain treatment is a separate finish used to help with spills, dirt and everyday marking.
Can I request Crib5 test documentation?
Yes. If your project needs supporting documentation, contact us before ordering so we can confirm the relevant fabric, basecloth and test information.
Where to browse next
For more guidance, read our contract upholstery fabric guide. You can also explore velvet upholstery fabric, patterned upholstery fabric and fabric treatment options.
