ASTM_F_420_-_04_2014.pdf

Designation:F42004(Reapproved 2014)An American National StandardStandard Test Method forAccess Depth Under Furniture of Vacuum Cleaners1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F420;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of originaladoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the opera-tional ability of the vacuum cleaner,expressed as the accessdepth for a given furniture clearance above the floor.1.2 This test method can be used in testing household andcommercial vacuum cleaners.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Summary of Test Method2.1 The carpet nozzle is inserted under a horizontal rod andthe access depth is measured from the front of the rod.3.Significance and Use3.1 This test method is intended to provide a means ofevaluating the effective cleaning depth under furniture.3.2 Results of testing by this test method can be used as abasis for specifications on cleaning under furniture.4.Apparatus4.1 A 0.75-in.(19-mm)diameter rod,mounted horizontallyin a suitable supporting device to provide heights under the rodfrom 0 to 10.0 in.(0 to 254 mm)in increments of 0.5 in.(12.7mm).4.2 A device for measuring access depth,(in inches ormillimetres)horizontally from the face of the horizontal bar in4.1.4.3 Voltage Regulator System,to control the input voltage tothe vacuum cleaner.The regulator system must be capable ofmaintaining the vacuum cleaners rated voltage 61%andrated frequency having a wave form that is essentially sinusoi-dal with 3%maximum harmonic distortion for the duration ofthe test.4.4 Voltmeter,to measure input voltage to the vacuumcleaner,to provide measurements accurate to within 61%.5.Sampling5.1 The access depth under furniture shall be established onthree samples.6.Preparation of Apparatus6.1 Prepare the apparatus as shown in Figs.1-3.7.Procedure7.1 Upright Vacuum Cleaners(Fig.1):7.1.1 Place the upright vacuum cleaner in its most advanta-geous position for cleaning under furniture.Operate thevacuum cleaner at the vacuum cleaners nameplate ratedvoltage 61%and rated frequency 61 Hz with the nozzleheight in the lowest cleaning position on a bare floor surface.7.1.1.1 For vacuum cleaners with dual nameplate voltageratings,conduct the test method at the highest voltage.7.1.2 The access depth is the distance(in inches or milli-metres)measured from the front of the 0.75-in.(19-mm)diameter rod(when in contact with the highest component ofthe vacuum cleaner)to the most advanced point of the inlet ofthe nozzle.NOTE1If the access depth is influenced by the cleaner bag,nopressure is to be applied to the handle or the bag to reduce the height.NOTE2The vacuum cleaner must be energized,if a soft bag ispresent,as the inflation changes the working height of the handle when itis in its lowest position.If there is no soft bag,or no inflation possible,there is no reason to energize the cleaner as the test is conducted on a barefloor surface and the nozzle suction will be at a minimum and have littleeffect on the nozzle down-force.7.1.3 Measure the access depth for heights from 0 to 10 in.(0 to 254 mm)in 0.5-in.(12.7-mm)increments.If full insertionof the cleaning mechanism occurs before 10.0 in.(254 mm),record this height.Cleaning mechanism refers to all of the partsfrom the vacuum cleaner nozzle to and including the handlegrip.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F11 on VacuumCleaners and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F11.20 on Performance(Test Methods).Current edition approved Nov.1,2014.Published November 2014.Originallyapproved in 1975.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as F420 04(2009).DOI:10.1520/F0420-04R14.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 7.2 Combination and Canister Vacuum Cleaners(Fig.2 andFig.3):7.2.1 Place the combination or canister vacuum cleanernozzle in its most advantageous position for cleaning underfurniture.Operate the vacuum cleaner at the vacuum cleanersnameplate rated voltage 61%and rated frequency 61 Hz withthe nozzle in full contact with the bare floor surface or thelowest nozzle setting.7.2.2 Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle Perpendicular to VacuumCleaner(Fig.2)The access depth is the distance(in inches ormillimetres)measured from the front of the 0.75-in.(19-mm)diameter r