BS 7176 and Crib 5 Explained: Fire Rules for Pub and Restaurant Seating in the UK

Short answer: Upholstered seating in pubs, restaurants and hotels in the UK is normally specified to BS 7176 at medium hazard. That means the actual combination of cover fabric, any interliner and filling must pass ignition tests to BS 5852 using a smouldering cigarette, a match-equivalent flame and the larger Crib 5 wooden crib. The legal responsibility sits with the venue's responsible person through the fire risk assessment, so the hazard level should be agreed with your fire risk assessor before the seating is ordered.

Fire specification is the part of a seating order most often left until last, and the part most likely to cause trouble at handover. This guide explains the standards in plain terms and shows how to get them right at the start.

What is BS 7176?

BS 7176 is the British Standard specification for the resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for non-domestic seating, tested as composites. In practice it does two things:

1. It sorts venues into hazard categories according to how likely and how serious a fire involving the seating would be.
2. For each category, it lists the ignition tests the seating must pass, using test methods set out in BS 5852 (and the equivalent European tests, BS EN 1021-1 and -2, for the cigarette and match).

The key word is composite. BS 7176 tests the cover fabric, any interliner and the filling together, as they will be used. A fabric that passes on one foam may fail on another.

What is BS 5852, and what is Crib 5?

BS 5852 is the test method. It defines a ladder of ignition sources, from small to large, and how to apply them to a seat mock-up. The ones that matter most for hospitality seating are:

Crib 5 is a small stack of wooden sticks, glued together, set alight on the seat. It simulates a larger, deliberate or accidental flame source, such as a burning newspaper. To pass, the composite must not continue to flame or smoulder beyond set limits after the crib burns out.

Which hazard category applies to a pub or restaurant?

BS 7176 gives examples for each category. The typical allocation is:

Most pubs, bars, restaurants, cafés and hotel public areas fall into medium hazard. The standard leaves the final allocation to the specifier and the fire risk assessment, and a particular venue may be assessed higher (for example, late-night entertainment venues or premises with known arson risk). That decision belongs to your fire risk assessor, not to the furniture supplier.

Who is legally responsible?

In England and Wales, fire safety in non-domestic premises is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legislation, and in the Republic of Ireland the Fire Services Acts place duties on the person in control of premises. In every case the principle is similar: a responsible person must assess fire risk and take reasonable measures, which includes the fire performance of furniture.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, with their familiar permanent labels, apply to furniture supplied for domestic use. Contract seating for pubs and restaurants is normally specified through BS 7176 instead. Check your own situation with your fire risk assessor; this is a general explanation, not legal advice.

How is seating made to pass medium hazard?

There are three main routes, often combined:

1. Inherently flame-retardant covers. Some fabrics, such as wool-rich moquettes and certain synthetics, pass on suitable foam without treatment.
2. Treated covers. Fabrics can be back-coated or treated with a flame-retardant finish. Treatments affect handle and, in some cases, cleaning, so ask about both.
3. Interliners and fillings. A fire-barrier interliner between cover and foam, combined with combustion-modified high-resilience (CMHR) foam, allows a wider range of decorative fabrics to pass.

At Booth & Bench (a line by EASEN Commercial Furniture), we specify foams, interliners and fabrics to meet BS 7176 medium hazard on request, and supply test documentation for the specific composite where available. If you supply your own fabric (COM), we need its test data to confirm which interliner and foam it should be paired with.

What documentation should you ask for?

Paperwork is what turns a fire specification into something you can show an inspecting officer. For each upholstered item, ask for:

• A test report for the composite, naming the cover, the interliner (if any) and the filling, the ignition sources applied and the result, issued by the testing laboratory.
• Fabric data sheets, including composition, abrasion rating and any flame-retardant treatment.
• Foam specification, naming the foam type, such as CMHR, and its grade.
• A declaration from the manufacturer that the seating supplied was built with the tested combination.

File these with your fire risk assessment and keep them when the seating is later re-covered, so the next upholsterer knows what was used.

Step-by-step: specifying fire-safe fixed seating

1. Agree the hazard category with your fire risk assessor. For most pubs and restaurants it will be medium.
2. Choose the cover and ask the supplier for its fire test results, stating which foam and interliner they were tested on.
3. Confirm the composite. Make sure the seating maker will build with the same type of foam and interliner, or test the actual composite.
4. Write it into the order. Put "BS 7176 medium hazard (including BS 5852 Crib 5)" on the quotation and the drawing.
5. Collect documentation before delivery: the test reports covering the composite, fabric data sheets and foam specification.
6. Keep it on file with your fire risk assessment, so it is available to an inspecting officer.
7. Re-check at re-upholstery. New covers must meet the same requirement as the originals.

Common mistakes

• Treating a fabric's "Crib 5" claim as the whole answer. BS 7176 is about the composite. The same fabric over the wrong foam may fail.
• Ordering domestic furniture for a commercial room. A domestic fire label does not show that a sofa meets medium hazard for a pub.
• Changing fabric after the quote. A late switch to a different fabric, especially COM, can change the interliner and foam needed.
• Forgetting backs, arms and loose cushions. Every upholstered part of the seat should meet the requirement, not just the seat cushion.
• Re-covering old seating in any fabric. Re-upholstery is the most common way non-compliant seating creeps into a venue.
• No paperwork at handover. If the test documentation is not in the file, it cannot be shown to an inspecting officer.

Fire specification across our range

All of our upholstered seating, from the Fairweather Oak Settle to the St James Club Booth, can be specified to BS 7176 medium hazard. Our serviceable seating is built so replacement covers and pads can be supplied to the same specification as the originals, which keeps the composite consistent for the life of the seating.

FAQ

Is Crib 5 a legal requirement for pubs?

There is no single statute that names Crib 5 for every pub. The legal duty is to manage fire risk through a fire risk assessment, and BS 7176 medium hazard, which includes Crib 5, is the normal benchmark for upholstered seating in pubs and restaurants. Your fire risk assessor decides what applies.

What is the difference between BS 5852 and BS EN 1021?

BS EN 1021-1 and -2 are the European tests for the cigarette and match sources. BS 5852 covers those sources and the larger crib sources, including Crib 5. BS 7176 draws on both.

Does leather need to pass Crib 5?

Yes, if it is used on upholstered seating in a medium-hazard venue. The composite of leather, interliner and filling must meet the requirement. Many leathers pass with an appropriate interliner and CMHR foam.

Do timber chairs need to meet BS 7176?

BS 7176 covers upholstered seating. Unupholstered timber chairs are outside its main scope, but any seat pads you add must meet the relevant requirement.

Does the same apply in Ireland?

Irish contract specifications commonly use the same BS 7176 and BS 5852 approach for hospitality seating. Confirm with your fire safety consultant or the local fire authority for your project.