ASTM_F_1427_-_13.pdf

Designation:F142713Standard Consumer Safety Specification forBunk Beds1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1427;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThis consumer safety specification addresses bunk bed accidents that were identified by the U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC).The CPSC estimates that in 1989,about 34 000 bunk bed-related injuries were treated in U.S.hospital emergency rooms,and about three fourths of those injured were under the age of 15.Mostof these injuries were minor and were associated with victims who fell from,bumped into,or jumpedfrom bunk beds.However,there are other less-obvious potentially serious hazards associated withbunk beds.For example,from 1973 through November 1990,CPSC also received reports of 83 deathsof children less than 15 years of age involving bunk beds.Seventy-four incidents,including 17 deaths,involved children who reportedly became entrapped between the mattress and guardrail;24 incidents,including five deaths,involved children who reportedly became entrapped either between the mattressand bed structure or in the bed end structure;and 18 incidents,including 16 deaths,involved youngchildren who reportedly became entrapped between the bed and the wall.The CPSC also receivedreports of four deaths due to failure of the mattress support,19 deaths due to falls from bunk beds,twelve deaths due to strangulation when a belt,rope,or clothing became caught on the bed structure,and ten deaths due to other or unknown causes.1.Scope1.1 This consumer safety specification establishes minimumrequirements for the design and performance of bunk beds.Italso contains requirements for labeling and instructional ma-terial.1.2 This consumer safety specification is intended to mini-mize accidents to children resulting from normal use andreasonably foreseeable misuse or abuse of bunk beds.Thisconsumer safety specification is written within the current stateof the art of bunk bed technology and does not address bunkbeds that are blatantly misused or are used in a careless mannerthat disregards warning statements and safety instructionsprovided with each bunk bed.1.3 For the purpose of this consumer safety specification,abunk bed(hereinafter referred to as a bed)is defined as anystructure that includes at least one sleeping surface in which theunderside of any of its foundations is over 30 in.(762 mm)from the floor.1.4 This consumer safety specification does not addressbunk beds for institutional use(for example,in prisons,military facilities,dormitories,and so forth).1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units,as well as anyspecified ISO/ANSI standard hardware,are to be regarded asthe standard.The values given in parentheses are for informa-tion only.1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to thetest methods portion,Section 5,of this specification:Thisstandard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is the responsibility of the userof this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthpractices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-tions prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D3359 Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test1This consumer safety specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Commit-tee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeF15.30 on Bunk Beds.Current edition approved March 15,2013.Published April 2013.Originallyapproved in 1992.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F1427 07.DOI:10.1520/F1427-13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 2.2 Federal Standards:316 CFR Part 1303 Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and CertainConsumer Products Bearing Lead-Containing Paint16 CFR Part 1500 Hazardous Substances Act Regulations,including sections:1500.48 Technical Requirements for Determining a SharpPoint in Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use byChildren Under 8 Years of Age1500.49 Technical Requirements for Determining a SharpMetal or Glass Edge in Toys and Other Articles Intendedfor Use by Children Under 8 Years of Age16 CFR Part 1501 Method for Identifying Toys and OtherArticles Intended for Use by Children Under 3 Years ofAge Which Present Choking,Aspiration or IngestionHazards Because of Small Parts16 CFR Part 1632 Standard for the Flammability of Mat-tresses and Mattress Pads43.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 bed,nfor