ASTM_F_1004-21.pdf

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.Designation:F1004-21NTERNATIONALStandard Consumer Safety Specification forExpansion Gates and Expandable Enclosures1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1004: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(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThis consumer safety specification addresses incidents of head and neck entrapment in childrensexpansion gates and expandable enclosures.It also addresses the ability of a pressure gate to resist apush-out force.The U.S.Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC)identified incidents that generally involveda childs head or neck,or both,becoming entrapped in diamond-shaped openings and strangulation ofchildren in V-shapes at the top of accordion style expansion gates or expandable enclosures.Additional incidents and injuries were identified that involved children attempting to climb up andover expansion gates and expandable enclosures,and pushing or pulling pressure gates out ofdoorways.This consumer safety specification is written within the current state-of-the-art of gate and enclosuretechnology.It is intended that this consumer safety specification will be updated whenever substantiveinformation becomes available,which necessitates additional requirements or justifies the revision ofexisting requirements.This specification does not address incidents in which gates or enclosures are blatantly misusedalthough warnings and safety instructions are required to be displayed prominently on and with eachgate or enclosure.1.Scope1.4 No expansion gate or expandable enclosure as defined in1.1 This consumer safety specification covers minimumSection 3,that is,produced after the approval date of thissafety performance requirements,test methods,and require-consumer safety specification either by label or other means,ments for labeling and instructional material to minimizeshall indicate compliance with this specification unless ithazards to young children resulting from the normal use andconforms to all the requirements contained herein.reasonably foreseeable misuse and abuse of expansion gates1.5 For expediency,expansion gates and expandable enclo-and expandable enclosures.sures as defined in Section 3 will heretofore be referred to in1.2 Products known as expansion gates and expandablethis consumer safety specification as“gates”and“enclosuresienclosures,or by any other name,which are in the scope of thisunless referred to definitively.consumer safety specification are intended for young childrenaged six months through 24 months,and are defined in Section1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded3.as standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information only1.3 Expansion gates and expandable enclosures defined inand are not considered standard.Section 3 are for domestic use and are not to be confused withother types of gates or enclosures that may be specifically1.7 The following pertains only to the test methods portion,designed for commercial,institutional,agricultural,pet use,orSection 7,of this specification.This standard does not purportany other such use.to address all of the safery concerns,if any,associated with itsuse.It is the responsibility of the user of this standard toestablish appropriate safety,health,and environmental prac-This consumer safety specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Commit-tices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitationstee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommitteeprior to use.F15.16 on Highchairs.Hook-On Chairs and Expandable Gates.1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-Current edition approved May 15,2021.Published June 2021.Originallyapproved in 1986.Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F1004-19.DOI:dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-10.1520/F1004-21.ization established in the Decision on Principles for theCopyright ASTM Intemational,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700.West Conshohocken.PA 19428-2959.United StatesF1004-21Development of International Standards,Guides and Recom-one position around the gate/expandable enclosure,but notmendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technicalnecessarily visible from all positions.Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.3.1.4 double-action release mechanism,n-a releasemechanism requiring either two consecutive actions,the first of2.Referenced Documentswhich must be maintained while the second is carried out,or2.1 ASTM Standards:2two separate and independent single-action release mecha-D3359 Test Methods for Rating Adhesion by Tape Testnisms that must be activated simultaneously to unlock theF406 Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Sizegate/enclosure.Baby Cribs/Play Yards3.1.5 egress panel,n-panel(s)within a gate or enclosureF963 Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safetydesigned to swing,retract,or fold open to allow passage.2.2 British Standard:3.1.5.1 Discussion-Pressure-mounted gates that require theBS 4125 Specification for Safety Requirements for Childpressure to be released in order to allow passage are notSafety Barriers for Domestic Useconsidered to contain an egress panel.2.3 Federal Regulations:3.1.6 expandable enclosures,n-self-supporting barrier in-16 CFR 1303 Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certaintended to completely surround an area or play-space withinConsumer Products Bearing Lead Containing Paintwhich a young child(see 1.2)may be confined.16 CFR 1500 Hazardous Substances Act Regulations.In-3.1.6.1 Discussion-Enclosures may be marketed for indoorcluding Parts:or outdoor use,or both.Expandable enclosures do not include16 CFR 1500.48 Technical Requirements for Determining aan attached floor.Sharp Point in Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use3.1.7 expansion gate,n-barrier intended to be erected in anby Children Under Eight Years of Ageopening,such as a doorway,to prevent the passage of young16 CFR 1500.49 Technical Requirements for Determining achildren(see 1.2),but which can be removed by older personsSharp Metal or Glass Edge in Toys and Other Articleswho are able to operate the locking mechanism.Intended for Use by Children Under Eight-Years of Age3.1.7.1 Discussion-Such gates are available in a number of16 CFR 1501 Method for Identifying Toys and Other Ar-different styles of construction and are manufactured from aticles Intended for Use by Children Under Three Years ofvariety of different materials.Age Which Present Choking,Aspiration,or IngestionHazards Because of Small Parts3.1.8 extension panel(s),n-any panel recommended by themanufacturer for extending the length or height of the product2.4 ANSI Standards:including panels sold with the gate/enclosure and those soldANSI Z535.1 American National Standard for Safety Colorsseparately.ANSI Z535.4 American National Standard for ProductSafety Signs and Labels3.1.9 hold-open mechanism,n-a feature sometimes in-ANSI Z535.6 American National Standard:Product Safetycluded with automatic closing gates where the gate will stay inInformation in Product Manuals,Instructions,and Othera fully open position and not automatically close the egressCollateral Materialspanel.3.1.10 manufacturers recommended use position(s)-any3.Terminologyposition that is presented by the manufacturer in any descrip-3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:tive or instructional literature as a normal,allowable,or3.1.1 automatic closing system,n-a feature(or mecha-acceptable configuration for the use of the product.nism)the manufacturer claims,markets,or intends to close an3.1.10.1 Discussion-This specifically excludes positionsegress panel automatically without the intervention of the user.which the manufacturer shows in its literature to beunacceptable,unsafe,or not recommended.3.1.2 completely-bounded opening,n-any opening in themain structure of a product that is enclosed totally by bound-3.1.11 nonpaper label,n-any label material,such as plasticaries on all sides.or metal,which either will not tear without the aid of tools ortears leaving a sharply-defined edge.3.1.3 conspicuous,adj-visible,when the gate/expandableenclosure is in all manufacturers recommended use positions,3.1.12 paper label,n-any label material,which tears with-to a person standing near the gate/expandable enclosure at anyout the aid of tools and leaves a fibrous edge.3.1.13 partially-bounded opening,n-any opening in themain structure of a product that is not enclosed totally by2 For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orboundaries on all sides.contact ASTM Customer Service at service astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM3.1.13.1 Discussion-For example,a V-shape in the top ofStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onan accordion slat-style product or a rectangular notch resultingthe ASTM website.3 Available from British Standards Institute(BSI),389 Chiswick High Rd.,from a gap between a wall surface and the main structure of aLondon W4 4AL,U.K.,http:/www.bsi-.baby gate would be considered a partially-bounded opening.4 Code of Federal Regulations is available from the Superintendent of3.1.14 pressure-mounted gate,n-any gate which relies onDocuments,Govemment Printing Office.Washington.DC 21402.5 Available from American National Standards Institute(ANSD),25 W.43rd St.,pressure as the mechanism by which the gate stays in its4th Floor.New York,NY 10036,http:/www.ansi.org.manufacturers recommended use position.F1004-213.1.15 side pressure,n-force required,at each contact5.5.1 Openings through multiple wall sections and openingslocation of the gate and mounting surface,to meet thecreated by multiple wall sections must meet the size require-requirements of 6.3 as determined by the manufacturer.ments in 5.5 if the total thickness of the combined wall sections3.1.16 static load,n-vertically downward force applied byand any air gap between the wall sections is less than 0.375 in.a calibrated force gauge or by dead weights.(9.53mm.3.1.17 visual side-pressure indicator,n-a warning system,5.6 Exposed Coil Springs-Any exposed coil spring,whichdevice,or provision using contrasting colors,lights,or otheris accessible to the occupant having or capable of generating asimilar means designed to visually alert the installer/user to thespace between coils of 0.210 in.(5.33 mm)or greater duringstatus of the side pressure of a pressure-mounted gate duringstatic load testing in accordance with 7.8 shall be covered orinstallation and use.otherwise designed to prevent injury from entrapment.5.7 Scissoring,Shearing,and Pinching-The gatel4.Calibration and Standardizationexpandable enclosure when in the manufacturers recom-4.1 All testing shall be conducted on a concrete floor whichmended use position(s)shall be designed and constructed tomay be covered with/s-in.(3-mm)thick vinyl floor cover,prevent injury to the child from any scissoring,shearing,orunless the test instructs differently.pinching when members or components rotate about a commonaxis or fastening point,slide,pivot,fold,or otherwise move4.2 The gate/expandable enclosure shall be completelyrelative to one another.Scissoring,shearing,or pinching thatassembled,unless otherwise noted,in accordance with themay cause injury shall not be permissible when the edges ofmanufacturers instructions.any rigid parts admit a probe greater than 0.210 in.(5.33 mm)4.3 No testing shall be conducted within 48 h of manufac-and less than 0.375 in.(9.53 mm)diameter at any accessibleturing.point through the range of motion of such parts.4.4 The product to be tested shall be preconditioned in a5.8 Labeling:room with an ambient temperature of 73 F+9F(23 C+5.8.1 Warning labels(whether paper or nonpaper)shall be5 C)for at least 1 h prior to testing.Testing then shall bepermanent when tested in accordance with 7.12.1-7.12.3.conducted within this temperature range.5.8.2 Warning statements applied directly onto the surfaceof the product by hot stamping,heat transfer,printing,wood4.5 All testing required by this specification shall be con-burning,etc.,shall be permanent when tested in accordanceducted on the same unit.The gate/expandable enclosure withwith7.12.4.and without any and all extension panels installed in any of the5.8.3 Nonpaper labels shall not liberate small parts whenmanufacturers recommended use positions must comply withtested in accordance with 7.12.5.the standard.5.9 The paint and surface coating on the product shall5.General Requirementscomply with 16 CFR 1303.5.1 Wood Parts-Prior to testing,any exposed wood parts5.10 Protective Components-If a child can grasp protectivecomponents,such as caps,sleeves,or plugs used for protectionshall be smooth and free from splinters.Slats are not permittedto contain any lateral/transverse joints,such as finger-joints,orfrom sharp edges,points,or entrapment of fingers or toes,between the thumb and forefinger,or teeth,or if there is at leastany other means of joining pieces of lumber end-to-end.a 0.040 in.(1.00 mm)gap between the component and its5.2 Screws shall not be used in the assembly of anyadjacent parent component,such components shall not becomponents or locking or attaching device(or devices)that areremoved when tested in accordance with 7.7.intended to be removed by the consumer during daily opera-tions.6.Performance Requirements5.3 There shall be no hazardous sharp edges or points as6.1 The following performance requirements apply to gatesdefined by 16 CFR 1500.48 and 16 CFR 1500.49 before orand enclosures when they are erected or installed in any of theafter testing to this consumer safety specification.manufacturers recommended use positions.6.1.1 Completely-bounded Openings-Openings within the5.4 There shall be no small parts as defined by 16 CFR 1501gate or enclosure,and completely-bounded openings betweenbefore testing or liberated as a result of testing to thisthe gate and the test fixture,shall not permit the completespecification.passage of the small torso probe(see Fig.2)when tested in5.5 Openings-Holes or slots that extend entirely through aaccordance with 7.10.wall section of any rigid material less than 0.375 in.(9.53 mm)6.1.2 Height of Sides-The vertical distance from the floorthick and admit a 0.210-in.(5.33-mm)diameter rod shall alsoto the lowest point of the uppermost surface shall not be lessadmit a 0.375-in.(9.53-mm)diameter rod.Holes or slots thatthan 22 in.(560 mm)when measured from the floor.are between 0.210 in.(5.33 mm)and 0.375 in.(9.53 mm)and6.1.3 Vertical Strength-Uppermost top rails,edges,orhave a wall thickness less than 0.375 in.(9.53 mm)but areframing components of the gates or enclosures shall be testedlimited in depth to 0.375 in.(9.53 mm)maximum by anotherin accordance with 7.8 and shall not fracture,disengage,fold,rigid surface shall be permissible(see Fig.1).The product shallor have a deflection that reduces the lowest point of thebe evaluated in all manufacturers recommended positions.uppermost surface of a gate or enclosure to a dimension of less4F1004-210.3750.375(9.53mm)(9.53mm)Max.FIG.1 Openingsthan 22 in.(560 mm)when measured vertically from the floormore than one of surfacesB,”C,”or corner“BC”or“CCat any time during or after completion of the test(see 6.1.2).in any combination if they are not opposing sides of the centerThe unit shall remain in its manufacturers recommended useline of Test Template B(see Fig.4).position and the lock/latch shall remain engaged during the testand engaged and operative upon completion of the tests6.2 Latching/Locking and Hinge Mechanisms:described in 7.8.6.2.1 Pressure-Mounted Gates-All pressure-mounted gates6.1.4 Bottom Spacing-For enclosures,the space betweenshall have a latching or locking device or other provision in thethe floor and the bottom of the enclosure shall not permit thedesign that will prevent the unit from unintentionally folding orcomplete passage of the small torso probe(see Fig.2)whencontracting when properly placed in the manufacturers rec-tested in accordance with 7.10.For gates,the space betweenommended use position.The locking or latching device shallthe test fixture and the bottom of the gate shall not permit theremain engaged during and upon completion of the testing,andpassage of the small torso probe(see Fig.2)when tested inthe locking or latching device shall remain operative uponaccordance with pletion of the testing in accordance with 7.3.6.1.5 Configuration of Uppermost Edge-A partially-6.2.2 Units with Egress Panels-All gates or enclosuresbounded opening at any point in the uppermost edge of aproduct that is greater than 1.5 in.(38 mm)in width and moredesigned with egress panels shall have a latching or lockingthan 0.64 in.(16.2 mm)in depth shall be subjected to the testdevice to keep the panel in the closed position and preventprocedure in 7.11(see Fig.3).During the test,no portions ofunintentional opening.The locking or latching device shallthe boundaries of the opening shall simultaneously contactremain engaged during and upon completion of the testing,and4F1004-21-1.0in.(25mm)Typical3.0in.(76mm)BLOCK SHALL BEFABRICATED FROMALUMINUM AND5.5in.HAVE SMOOTH FINISH(140mm)3 in.4.25in.(76mm)(108mm)45NorE 1-Not to scale.FIG.2 Small Torso Probethe locking or latching device shall remain operative upon6.6 Slat Strength Test-Gates and enclosures with wood orcompletion of the testing in accordance with 7.3.metal vertical members(slats)shall be tested in accordance6.2.2.1 Automatic Closing Systems-Any unit with an auto-with the procedure in 7.13.Upon completion of testing,therematic closing mechanism shall continue to close and automati-shall be no complete breakage of any slat or completecally lock or latch,without the intervention of the user,whenseparation of either end of a slat from the gate or enclosuretested in accordance with 7.4.assemblys horizontal members.Audible indications during6.3 Horizontal Push-Out:testing shall not constitute evidence of failure.After testing the6.3.1 All gates shall be tested in accordance with 7.9.Atgate shall comply with the requirements of Section 5 and 6.1.1.each test location,the average push-out force shall exceed 30Ibf(133 N).In addition,each individual force shall exceed 206.7 Pressure-Mounted Gate-Mounting Hardware-Ibf(89 N).Installation components(for example,wall cups)that arenecessary for the gate to meet the performance requirements in6.4 Locking Device-Every device provided to prevent the6.3.1 shall be included with the gate in one of the followingunlocking or unlatching of a product from the manufacturersways:recommended use position(s)shall meet either 6.4.1 or 6.4.2.(a)Temporarily affixed to a main panel of the gate with the6.4.1 Each single-action locking or latching device shallwarning in 8.5.7 similarly attached.require a minimum force of 10 lbf(45 N)to activate the release(b)Temporarily attached to each of the pressure pads/mechanism when tested in accordance with 7.6.6.4.2 The locking or latching device shall be a double-tension bolt pads of the gate.(c)Not affixed or attached to the gate as long as the gate isaction release mechanism.There are no force requirements fordesigned in such a way that does not allow for its installationdouble-action locking or latching devices.without the mounting hardware.6.5 Toys:6.5.1 Toy accessories shall not be attached to,or sold with,NorE 1-The following are examples that would meet 6.7:(a)a baga gate.containing the wall cups and printed with the same warning as in 8.5.7.(b)6.5.2 Toy accessories attached to,removable from,or soldwall cups that are attached to the pressure pads/tension bolt pads of thegate and remain in place until the consumer installs the gate or removeswith an enclosure,as well as their means of attachment,shallthem.(c)a gate with an on-gate pressure point that would obviouslymeet applicable requirements of Specification F963.damage a wall without the wall cups installed.