This mandatory standard prescribes the requirements for the construction, design and labelling requirements of bunk beds.
About bunks beds
The mandatory standard for bunk beds applies to:
- a set of components that are assembled or are ready for assembly into single beds or double/single combination beds that will be stacked one over the other
- any single bed, other than a hospital bed, where the top of the mattress base is at least 800 mm above the floor surface.
The mandatory standard prescribes the requirements for the construction, design and labelling requirements of bunk beds.
Mandatory standard
Consumer Protection Notice No. 1 of 2003 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. AS/NZS 4220:1994 is available from SAI Global.
You must consult the mandatory standard for these details.
Key requirements
These requirements aim to give suppliers a general idea of what is required by the mandatory standard. Suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance.
Design and construction
Guardrails
Bunk beds must have permanently fixed guardrails to all four sides and ends, with a minimum vertical distance between the upper surface of the guardrail and the upper surface of the mattress base of 260 mm.
No dangerous gaps
Bunk beds must not have any dangerous gaps that can trap a child’s head or limbs.
No protrusions
Parts of a bunk bed that stick out (protrusions) greater than 8 mm are not allowed as they provide hanging points that can lead to strangulation or accidental hanging.
Informative labels
Bunk beds must come with a label or marking indicating the maximum mattress height on the raised/upper bed where the height of the guardrails is less than 360 mm. This is to ensure that the effective height of the safety barrier is maintained to prevent children falling.
Testing
The mandatory standard includes some requirements you can visually check, it also requires testing to ensure bunk beds meet requirements for safe sized gaps. It is recommended that suppliers organise product testing through specialist laboratories with the right skills, experience and equipment to ensure bunks comply with the mandatory standard.