Contract Mattresses

A contract mattress is a mattress specifically designed for use in commercial environments, rather than the more common types used in homes. They have different durability requirements than a standard mattress and must also meet certain fire safety standards.

As contract mattresses need to be suitable for a variety of sleepers and environments, they generally differ from domestic mattresses in the materials used and the certifications required. A contract hotel mattress needs to be able to cope with different weights and heights on a daily basis, whereas a contract care home mattress will likely need to be able to cope with more use than a standard mattress.

As such, they're usually designed to be more durable to accommodate heavier use with materials that are often waterproof, water-resistant or even antimicrobial. This also means they're usually easier to clean than a mattress you'd find in your home, and they must meet legal fire-safety standards.

Due to their more robust nature, contract mattresses are suitable for use in the following areas:

• Hotels and BnBs
• Student accommodation
• Buy-to-rent properties
• Hostels
• Holiday parks
• Care homes

You may notice that all of our contract mattresses are labelled Crib-5, also called Ignition Source 5; this is a fire-safety standard required for commercial sleeping environments. It's called Crib 5 because an Ignition Source 5 wooden crib (not a crib for babies!) is placed onto the mattress, and then it is tested to see how well the fabric copes with flames or smouldering.

Passing this test means the mattress is resistant to ignition, though it's important to note that this does not mean it's fire-resistant! Any commercial setting that wants to use a mattress must have a contract mattress with a Crib 5 certification to avoid invalidating insurance coverage or the possibility of prosecution if a fire occurs.

Given the high frequency of use of a contract mattress compared to a standard mattress, it won't surprise anyone that they need to be replaced more often. Not only due to general wear and tear, but also for hygiene purposes. A mattress for home can last up to 10 years if taken care of, whereas we'd recommend these time frames for industrial sectors:

• Care homes: every 3 to 5 years
• Student accommodation: every 4 to 6 years
• Hotels: every 5 to 7 years

Of course, this depends on how much the mattresses are actually used. A contract care home mattress for someone who is bed-bound will need to be changed much sooner than we've suggested.