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Products the mandatory standard applies to
The mandatory standard applies to bunk beds that are:
- single beds or single and double bed combination that are stacked one over the other – either pre-assembled or ready for assembly
- any single bed where the top of the mattress base is higher than 800 mm above the floor.
Products the mandatory standard does not apply to
The mandatory standard does not apply to:
- portable bunk beds used for camping
- bunk beds built into caravans, camper trailers, motor homes, trains and other types of transport
- hospital beds.
Complying with the mandatory standard
The mandatory standard covers construction, design, testing and labelling requirements of bunk beds.
This information is an overview of how to comply with the mandatory standard. Suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance. View the full detail of the standard.
Design and construction of bunk beds
Guardrails
Bunk beds must have permanent guardrails to all four sides. The vertical distance between the upper surface of the guardrail and the upper surface of the mattress base must be at least 260 mm.
No dangerous gaps
Bunk beds must not have any gaps that can trap a child’s head or limbs.
Gaps must not be:
- between 95 mm and 230 mm, as a child’s head and neck may become trapped
- between 30 mm and 50 mm, as a child’s limbs may become trapped
- greater than 400 mm—such as in the guard rail—as they could allow a child to roll or fall out of the bunk.
No protrusions
Parts of a bunk bed that stick out (protrusions) greater than 8 mm are not allowed. These provide hanging points that can lead to strangulation or accidental hanging.
Marking
When the height of the guard rail is less than 360 mm above the mattress base on the raised or upper bed:
- the bunk bed must have a mark showing the maximum mattress height, together with the words ‘MAX. MATTRESS HEIGHT’
- the marking must be at least 160 mm from the top of the guard rail.
This will help make sure the safety barrier height is maintained to prevent children falling when a mattress is on the bed.
The bunk bed should be permanently marked with the manufacturer’s or distributor’s details to help any potential recall.
Testing
To make sure bunk beds comply with the mandatory standard suppliers should undertake testing to make sure they meet the requirements for construction including safe sized gaps.
We recommend suppliers organise product testing through specialist laboratories with the right skills, experience and equipment.
Mandatory standard details
The Consumer Protection Notice No. 1 of 2003 Consumer Product Safety Standard: Bunk Beds sets out the mandatory requirements for bunk beds.
The mandatory standard is based on certain sections of the voluntary Australian New Zealand standard AS/NZS 4220:1994 Bunk beds.
You can buy AS/NZS 4220:1994 from Standards Australia, Intertek Inform or Accuris.
We can make a copy of this standard available for viewing at an ACCC office, subject to licensing conditions.
When a product does not comply
Fines and penalties may apply for failure to comply with a mandatory safety or information standard. For more information, see fines and penalties.
Suppliers may need to recall a product when it doesn't meet the mandatory standard or is potentially unsafe.