Marine Mattress Requirements: The IMO FTP Code and Bedding
Under SOLAS, bedding components must pass the fire tests in Part 9 of the 2010 FTP Code, made mandatory through IMO MSC.307(88). Buyers need supplier test reports and the approval their class society accepts.
Key points
- What Part 9 covers. It covers bedding components such as mattresses, pillows, blankets and duvets, using smouldering cigarette and flame ignition sources.
- Certificates are specific. A certificate for another part of the Code, such as upholstered furniture, does not substitute for bedding.
- Check with your class society. Flag state and class society decide what approval they accept.
- What to ask a supplier. Which part of the FTP Code the product was tested to, the test report and date, whether the tested build matches the product offered, and whether the class society accepts the report.
- Questions to ask the supplier. Question Why it matters Which part of the FTP Code was tested?
What Part 9 covers
It covers bedding components such as mattresses, pillows, blankets and duvets, using smouldering cigarette and flame ignition sources.
Certificates are specific
A certificate for another part of the Code, such as upholstered furniture, does not substitute for bedding. Ask which part and which test report applies.
Check with your class society
Flag state and class society decide what approval they accept. Ask them before ordering.
What to ask a supplier
Which part of the FTP Code the product was tested to, the test report and date, whether the tested build matches the product offered, and whether the class society accepts the report. Do not rely on a certificate for upholstered furniture to cover bedding.
Questions to ask the supplier
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which part of the FTP Code was tested? | Parts are not interchangeable |
| Does the report cover this exact build? | Foam, cover and thickness can change results |
| Who issued the report and when? | Laboratory and date |
| Does your class society accept it? | Approval route varies |
Order sequence
- Confirm the approval your vessel needs.
- Send the specification and berth drawings.
- Receive a sample and the report.
- Approve and place the order with documents in the contract.
Detailed guidance
On ships, fire safety rules are set by international convention and enforced by the flag state and the class society. Bedding components are tested under a dedicated part of the Fire Test Procedures Code, using smouldering and flame ignition sources. A certificate for a different part of the Code does not cover bedding, so ask exactly which part was tested.
Before ordering, confirm with your class society what documents they accept. Ask the supplier for the test report, the scope and date, and a statement that the product supplied matches the tested build. If the supplier cannot show documentation, do not assume compliance. Plan the order so documents arrive with the goods, because a vessel may be refused bedding it cannot show approval for.
Worked example (illustrative figures)
A ship owner needs 40 mattresses. The class society requires bedding tested under Part 9 of the FTP Code. The supplier provides a report covering the exact build; the owner checks the scope and date and sends it to the class society before ordering. A report for a different part of the Code is rejected, saving a delay at the port.
Frequently asked questions
Do you hold marine approval?
We confirm approval status per product and do not claim it without a valid document.
Where do I send my requirements?
Use the bulk and export request form or message Sleepwit on WhatsApp. We reply with questions and a written quote; prices, minimums and lead times are confirmed in the quote.
Need a quote for this? Sleepwit manufactures and exports to specification. Send your requirements and we reply in writing.
Ship, Marine and Offshore Mattress Request a quoteSources
- IMO. International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures, 2010 (2010 FTP Code), Resolution MSC.307(88); bedding components are covered in Part 9.
Links go to PubMed searches for the paper title or to the official guideline or regulator page. Standards and regulations are revised, so check the current edition before relying on them. Mattress and pillow research is limited; treat findings as a starting point.
Keep reading
Marine and Transport Mattress Guide: Ships, Berths, Vehicles
Mattress specification for ships, offshore accommodation, sleeper coaches, trucks, caravans and vehicle interiors: fire tests, sizes and documents.
Read more →Bulk & exportCrew Cabin Mattress Specification
A specification template for crew cabin mattresses: size, thickness, foam, cover, fire test and cleaning.
Read more →Bulk & exportTruck Sleeper Berth Mattress Guide
How to choose and specify mattresses for truck sleeper cabs: size, thickness, support, cover and cleaning.
Read more →This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have persistent pain or sleep problems, please speak to a doctor.
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