We’re Here to Help

1. What do you need?

   There's a different fabric for every application. First-what are your requirements? Do you need your fabric to be flame retardant, super durable, antimicrobial or sustainable? We can help on all points.

2. Fire Resistant:

   All contract fabrics need to be Crib 5. The Crib test is a type of fire test that measures how resistant a fabric is to fire. Some fabrics are inherently Crib 5, they are made using flame retardants at the start of their life, whereas others are treated to Crib 5 level through retro-treating after their manufacture. All of our contract ranges are inherently Crib 5.

3. Durability:

   Different applications require alternative levels of durability. In the UK, Martindale is the standard test for measuring how durable a fabric is. A fabric that withstands 100,000 rubs is suitable for "severe contract". The weight of the fabric, as well as the ingredients, will also contribute to the durability. The Chieftain range is one of the heaviest on the market and is guaranteed for five years. The Lionella range uses the optimum combination of polyurethane and cotton to max out at 300,000 rubs.

4. Antimicrobial:

   Is the fabric going to be used in a healthcare environment? If so, then an antimicrobial agent is a must. There are many of these in use. However, Chieftain is the only range which is proven to counteract C. diff. Although a regular cleaning regime and a hygienic environment will greatly contribute to limiting hospital acquired infections; the high efficacy of Chieftain in resisting airborne infection can act as a risk reduction factor in the healthcare environment.

5. Sustainability:

   Is sustainability important in your fabric choice? The last five years have seen an influx of cheaper fabrics. Some less scrupulous manufacturers compromise on ingredients to get the price of the end product down.
   That's where we're different. We do not cut corners to save costs. Our products are all REACH and Oeko-Tex compliant. They contain no bromide, formaldehyde, heavy metals or other nasty stuff. Our Lionella range is a reduced PVC content faux leather. Where possible we use 100% cotton backings.

The key to keeping an impermeable fabric such as vinyl clean and looking new is regular care. To keep your chair looking as good as new, it takes little more than a daily clean with a mild soapy water solution followed by a clean water rinse.

Spillages need to be wiped off immediately and the fabric rinsed with clean water. This is especially true for difficult substances including bodily fluids, lipstick, ink and food colouring.

For heavy or ingrained soiling, scrubbing with a soft bristled brush and a mild soap solution followed by a clean water rinse should remove everything.

Where disinfecting is required, the product can be cleaned with a diluted detergent to a solution strength specified by the manufacturer. Bleach in the concentration of 50,000 ppm is fine, but should only be used occasionally.

Please contact us for more detailed or specific cleaning instructions.

What does Crib 5 mean?

Crib 5 is the short name for the test known as BS5852 Ignition Source 5. This test involves lighting a small balsamwood pile (like a game of Jenga and supposed to simulate a real chair), setting it on fire, then waiting to see if the fabric ignites and whether it self-extinguishes. There are a variety of tests for flame retardancy from Cigarette & Match through to Crib 7. Crib 5 is suitable for every contract use except inside prison cells and mental health institutions.

Who tests your fabric?

We use a combination of in house testing in our own lab and a number of UKAS accredited labs to prove our own findings. All of the certificates which we provide to back up our fabric come from one of these UKAS accredited labs.

Where are your fabrics made?

Chieftain is a worldwide supplier of performance fabric, headquartered in Ireland and with offices in the UK, and partners around Europe. Our R&D, quality control, distribution and marketing all takes place in Ireland. All our fabric is manufactured in Europe, but is hand inspected at our facility in Ireland before dispatch.

How can I buy fabric from Chieftain?

You can buy a fabric direct from us or through any of our distribution partners listed on the Contact Us page.