BS EN 747-1:2012

BSI Standards Publication

Furniture — Bunk beds and

high beds
Part 1: Safety, strength and durability
requirements

NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW

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BS EN 747-1:2012 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 747-1:2012.
It supersedes BS EN 13453-1:2004 and BS EN 747-1:2007 which are
withdrawn.

BSI, as a member of CEN, is obliged to publish EN 747-1:2012 as a

British Standard. However, attention is drawn to the fact that during
the development of this European Standard, the UK committee
voted against its approval as a European Standard.

WARNING

Users of this British Standard should be aware that the BSI technical
committee responsible for the UK input into EN 747-1:2012 is of the
opinion that entrapment or strangulation hazards might be caused
by the provisions contained in the following clauses:
- Clause 4.1.1 (b) that allows for a 600 mm vertical
protrusion on the safety barrier;
- Clause 4.1.4 paragraph (7) that allows the outermost
components of a bed to deviate from vertical by 230
mm.
Attention is drawn to the provisions of the General Product Safety
Regulations 2005 which place a general duty on all suppliers of
consumer goods to supply products that are safe in normal or
reasonably foreseeable use.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical

Committee FW/0/2, Domestic and Contract Furniture.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be

obtained on request to its secretary.

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary

provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct
application.

© The British Standards Institution 2012. Published by BSI Standards

Limited 2012

ISBN 978 0 580 70563 2

ICS 97.140 --``,```,,`,,``,,,,``,,``,``,,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from

legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the

Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 30 April 2012.

Amendments issued since publication

Date Text affected
 BS EN 747-1:2012

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 747-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM April 2012

ICS 97.140 Supersedes EN 13453-1:2004, EN 747-1:2007

English Version

Furniture - Bunk beds and high beds - Part 1: Safety, strength

and durability requirements

Meubles - Lits superposés et lits surélevés - Partie 1: Möbel - Etagenbetten und Hochbetten - Teil 1:
Exigences de sécurité, de résistance et de durabilité Anforderungen an die Sicherheit, Festigkeit und
Dauerhaltbarkeit

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This European Standard was approved by CEN on 8 March 2012.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 747-1:2012: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 747-1:2012
EN 747-1:2012 (E)

Contents Page

Foreword ..............................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................4
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................5
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................5
3 Terms and definitions ...........................................................................................................................5
4 Safety requirements ..............................................................................................................................6
4.1 Construction...........................................................................................................................................6
4.1.1 General ....................................................................................................................................................6
4.1.2 Accessible holes gaps and openings ..................................................................................................7
4.1.3 Bed base(s).............................................................................................................................................8
4.1.4 Safety barriers ........................................................................................................................................8
4.1.5 Ladder or other means of access ........................................................................................................9
Strength of ladder or other means of access - ................................................................................ 10
4.2 Attachment, deflection and strength ................................................................................................ 10
4.3 Strength of frame and fastenings ..................................................................................................... 10
4.4 Stability ................................................................................................................................................ 10
4.5 Fastening of the upper bed to the lower bed ................................................................................... 10
5 Instructions for use ............................................................................................................................ 11
6 Marking ................................................................................................................................................ 12

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 BS EN 747-1:2012
EN 747-1:2012 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 747-1:2012) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 207 “Furniture”, the
secretariat of which is held by UNI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2012, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by October 2012.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN 747-1:2007 and EN 13453-1:2004.

Compared to EN 747-1:2007 and EN 13453-1:2004, the following modifications have been made:

 Subclause 4.1.1 General includes 4 options for protruding parts depending on the sizes of the part.

EN 747 is divided into the following parts:

 EN 747-1, Furniture — Bunk beds and high beds — Part 1: Safety, strength and durability requirements;

 EN 747-2, Furniture — Bunk beds and high beds — Part 2: Test methods.

It should be noted that the changes made to Part 2 are of importance for Part 1 because information
regarding loads and forces is contained in Part 2.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

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BS EN 747-1:2012
EN 747-1:2012 (E)

Introduction
This part of EN 747 specifies requirements for bunk beds and high beds for use by one occupant per bed.

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 BS EN 747-1:2012
EN 747-1:2012 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies requirements for the safety, strength and durability of bunk beds and high
beds for domestic and non-domestic use. The loads and forces in the strength and durability tests apply to
beds with an internal length greater than 140 cm and a maximum bed base width of 120 cm.

The dimensional requirements are intended to minimise the risk of accidents, particularly to children.

The strength and durability requirements are intended to represent use by one occupant per bed.

Safety requirements for other products included in a bunk bed/high bed, for example a table or storage
furniture, are not included in this standard.

This European Standard does not apply to bunk beds and high beds used for special purposes, including but
not limited to prison, the military and fire brigades.

2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 747-2:2012, Furniture  Bunk beds and high beds  Part 2: Test methods

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1
bunk bed
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set of components that can be assembled as beds, one above the other, where the upper surface of the top
bed base is 800 mm or more above the floor

3.2
high bed
set of components that can be assembled as a bed, where the upper surface of the top bed base is 800 mm
or more above the floor, irrespective of the use to which the space below is put

3.3
bed end structures
upright unit at the head and foot of the bed to which the side rails are attached

3.4
bed base
support structure for a mattress

3.5
safety barrier
component intended to prevent an occupant from falling out of the upper bed or the high bed

3.6
side rail
longitudinal member attached to the bed end structure by which the bed base can be supported

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BS EN 747-1:2012
EN 747-1:2012 (E)

3.7
tread
structure intended as a foothold, including ladder rungs and steps

4 Safety requirements

4.1 Construction

4.1.1 General

Accessible edges and corners shall be rounded or chamfered and free from burrs or sharp edges.

There shall be no open ended tubes.

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All assembly and pilot holes shall be made by the manufacturer.

Vertically protruding parts on the top of the upper bed shall either:

a) have an uninterrupted minimum horizontal dimension of 300 mm without any other vertical protrusion
(see Figure 1 a), or

b) have an uninterrupted vertical dimension of at least 600 mm measured from the highest adjacent part
(see Figure 1 b), or

c) where the largest dimension is 50 mm or more (see Figure 1), have a maximum height at which a line,
drawn at 45° touches it, of not more than 5 mm above at least one adjacent/adjoining horizontal
component; the maximum vertical protrusion above that component shall not exceed 20 % of the largest
horizontal dimension of parts (see Figure 1 c), or

d) where the largest dimension is less than 50 mm, have a maximum height at which a line, drawn at 45°
touches it, of not more than 5 mm above at least one adjacent/adjoining horizontal component; the
maximum vertical protrusion above that component shall not exceed 10 mm (see Figure 1) of parts (see
Figure 1 d).

It shall not be possible to dismantle the bed or its components without the use of a tool.

The dimensional requirements apply both before and after testing without re-tightening.

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 BS EN 747-1:2012
EN 747-1:2012 (E)

Dimension in millimetres

Key

1 Vertically protruding part

2 Highest adjacent part
w Width of protruding part
H Height of protruding part
V 45° angle to the horizontal

Figure 1 — Examples of a vertically protruding part

4.1.2 Accessible holes gaps and openings

There shall be no accessible holes, gaps or openings with a diameter/width greater than 7 mm and less than
12 mm, unless the depth is less than 10 mm when tested according to 5.3 of EN 747-2:2012.
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Additionally, accessible holes, gaps and openings in safety barriers, bed bases and treads, shall fulfil the
requirements specified in the respective clauses, i.e. 4.1.3 Bed base(s), 4.1.4 Safety barriers and 4.1.5 Ladder
or other means of access.

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EN 747-1:2012 (E)

All other accessible holes, gaps or openings shall be either:

a) at least 12 mm but not more than 25 mm, when tested in accordance with 5.3 of EN 747-2:2012; or

b) at least 60 mm but not more than 75 mm, when tested in accordance with 5.3 of EN 747-2:2012; or

c) at least 200 mm.

4.1.3 Bed base(s)

The bed shall have a means (e.g. fastening) of preventing the side rails from bending outwards. This
requirement is fulfilled if the bed base(s) or its elements do not fall down when tested with the horizontal
outwards force specified in 5.4.2 of EN 747-2:2012.

All gaps between the bed base and the side or ends shall not exceed 25 mm when measured in accordance
with 5.3 of EN 747-2:2012.

All gaps between bed base components, (e.g. slats or springs) shall not exceed 75 mm when measured in
accordance with 5.3 of EN 747-2:2012.

When tested in accordance with 5.4.3, 5.4.5 and 5.4.4 of EN 747-2:2012, the bed base and/or its elements
shall not break, fall down or become detached.

The distance between the upper surface of the lower bed base and the underside of the upper bed base shall
be at least 750 mm.

The bed base shall allow ventilation.

4.1.4 Safety barriers

Any upper bunk bed or high bed shall be equipped with continuous safety barriers all around the bed, with the
exception of an opening for access, which shall be located on one long side only. Gaps between the ends of
the safety barrier and the bed end structures shall not exceed 7 mm, when tested according to 5.3 of
EN 747-2:2012.

In non-domestic use only, the structure of the building can act as a safety barrier, provided that the bed is
fastened to it in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The safety barriers shall be secured against unintentional loosening. This requirement is fulfilled if the safety
barriers do not become damaged or loosened when tested in accordance with 5.4.2 of EN 747-2:2012.

The distance between the upper edge of the safety barriers and the upper surface of the bed base shall be at
least 260 mm.

The top of the mattress shall be at least 160 mm below the upper edge of the safety barriers. The maximum
thickness of the mattress shall be permanently marked (see Clause 5 d) and Clause 6 b)).
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With the exception of the upper corners of the safety barrier, which may end in a maximum radius of 85 mm,
the opening for access shall have a width between 300 mm and 400 mm from the maximum mattress
thickness mark (see Clause 6 b)) to 160 mm above it (see Figure 2).

With the exception of the long side, where the ladder or other means of access shall be mounted, the
horizontal distance between the outside of the top safety barrier and the vertical projection of the outermost
point of the legs/posts/panels, shall not exceed 55 mm nor shall be more than 230 mm (see Figure 3).

With the exception of the opening for access, the safety barrier shall be designed so that in at least one
direction the clear space between two adjacent retaining elements (e.g. bands, filler bars) is either ≤ 5 mm or
is at least 60 mm and not more than 75 mm when tested in accordance with 5.3 of EN 747-2:2012.

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 BS EN 747-1:2012
EN 747-1:2012 (E)

4.1.5 Ladder or other means of access

The ladder or other means of access shall be either vertical or shall have a positive inclination towards the
upper bed.

The distance from the floor to the upper surface of the first tread shall not exceed 400 mm. The distance
between the upper surfaces of two successive treads shall be (250 ± 50) mm.

The distance between the upper surfaces of the treads shall be equal with a tolerance of ± 5 mm.

The distance between the top tread and the point of access shall not be more than 500 mm.

The clear distance between two successive treads shall be at least 200 mm.

The usable width of the treads shall be at least 300 mm.

The front edges of all treads shall lie on a straight line within ± 20 mm.

The gap between any tread and any part of the bed frame shall be:

a) less than 7 mm; or

b) at least 12 mm but not more than 25 mm; or

c) at least 60 mm but not more than 75 mm; or

d) at least 200 mm.

The effective step depth shall be at least 90 mm (see Figure 4).

Frame parts of the bed, situated in the vicinity of treads, shall not interfere with the usable area of the tread.

Dimensions in millimetres

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Key

1 Safety barrier
2 Maximum mattress thickness mark

Figure 2 — Opening in the top safety barrier – Example

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BS EN 747-1:2012
EN 747-1:2012 (E)

Figure 3 — Distance between the top safety barrier and the vertical projection

4.2 Strength of ladder or other means of access: Attachment, deflection and strength

The bed shall be provided with a means of access which shall not break, become detached or deform
permanently by more than 5 mm when tested in accordance with 5.6 of EN 747-2:2012.

4.3 Strength of frame and fastenings

The frame and structural fastenings shall not be damaged or malfunction; nor shall any part detach when
tested in accordance with 5.4.2 and 5.5 of EN 747-2:2012.

4.4 Stability

When tested in accordance with 5.7 of EN 747-2:2012, the bed shall not overturn.

4.5 Fastening of the upper bed to the lower bed

The upper bed shall be connected to the lower bed in such a manner that it does not disconnect when tested
in accordance with 5.8 of EN 747-2:2012.

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 BS EN 747-1:2012
EN 747-1:2012 (E)

Dimensions in millimetres
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Key

1 Step depth
2 Frame part
3 Tread

Figure 4 — Gaps and step depth – Example of construction

5 Instructions for use

All beds which claim compliance with this standard shall be provided with instructions for use in the official
language(s) of the country where the bed is sold. The instructions shall be headed:

IMPORTANT – READ CAREFULLY – RETAIN FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

The instructions for use shall include at least the following information:

a) all bunk beds and high beds intended to be assembled by someone other than the manufacturer or their
representative shall contain assembly instructions including a list of the parts supplied and details of any
tools required to assemble the bed;

b) statement that all assembly fastenings should always be tightened properly and that care should be taken
that no fittings are loose;

c) instructions regarding positioning and connection of the means of access;

d) maximum thickness of the mattress as determined in 4.1.4, as well as information regarding the mattress
maximum thickness marking;

e) recommended size of the mattress(es);

f) statement that the bunk bed or high bed should not be used if any structural part is broken or missing;

g) statement that children can strangle in items such as ropes, strings, cords, harnesses and belts attached
to or hung on a bunk bed/high bed;

h) WARNING: “Children can become trapped between the bed and the wall. To avoid risk of serious injury
the distance between the top safety barrier and the wall shall not exceed 75 mm nor shall be more than
230 mm”;

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EN 747-1:2012 (E)

i) WARNING: “High beds and the upper bed of bunk beds are not suitable for children under six years due
to the risk of injury from falls”;

j) number and year of this European Standard.

6 Marking
All beds which claim compliance with this standard shall be clearly and permanently marked with the following
information:

a) name, registered trade name or registered trade mark of either the manufacturer, distributor or retailer;

b) maximum thickness of the mattress to be used with the bed. This can be in the form of text, a line on the
bed at the correct height, or by other means.

c) number and year of this European Standard.

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