Certification and Registration
16 CFR 1513 US. Requirements for Bunk Beds
Category:
CPC
Federal law requires bunk beds to comply with the Bunk Bed Standard and other applicable requirements, including those under the CPSIA.
Manufacturers and importers of children’s bunk beds must issue a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) confirming compliance with the standard and additional requirements. Previously, bunk beds were required to be tested by a CPSC‑accredited third‑party laboratory.
Applicable Standards
16 CFR 1513 Requirements for Bunk Beds
What is a bunk bed?
A bunk bed is a bed whose mattress foundation is more than 30 inches above the floor. The mattress foundation is the base or support on which the mattress rests. The two ends are the upright sections at the head and foot, where side rails are attached.
What is the purpose of the bunk bed rule?
This regulation prevents death and injury to children from being trapped between the upper berth and the wall, under guardrails, or in openings at either end.
What are the requirements of 16 CFR Part 1513 for bunk beds?
● Requirements for Guardrails
1.Upper berth must have at least two guardrails – one on each side. Lower berth (mattress base ≤30 inches above floor) does not require a guardrail.
2.The guardrail on the side adjacent to the wall or opposite the ladder must extend continuously from one end to the other. If not, the gap between the guardrail end and the nearest bed end must not exceed 0.22 inches.
3.The guardrail on the other side need not be continuous, but the distance from either guardrail end to the nearest bed end must not exceed 15 inches.
4.Guardrails must be secured with fasteners that require release before removal, or designed to allow movement in two or more distinct directions with sequential release.
5.The top of the guardrail must be at least 5 inches above the top of the mattress.
6.With no mattress on the upper berth, any space between the bottom of the guardrail and the top of the mattress support must not allow the wedge block to pass freely (see figure).
● Requirements for the two ends of the upper and lower bunks
1.The opening at either end of the upper berth, measured from the mattress base, must not allow the wedge block to pass freely.
2.Using the manufacturer‑recommended thickest mattress and foundation, the top of each end of the upper bunk must extend at least 5 inches above the mattress top, and this 5‑inch clearance must extend to at least half the distance between the two end columns.
3.Any opening in the headboard or footboard of the lower berth (below the upper‑bunk mattress support and above the lower‑bunk mattress support) must not allow the wedge to pass freely – unless the opening also allows a rigid 9‑inch sphere to pass freely.
4.If any opening in the lower‑berth headboard or footboard permits a 9‑inch sphere to pass freely, then any opening tested beneath the upper‑bunk mattress foundation must also be assessed for neck‑entrapment risk.
How to test for pinch‑injury risk?
For detailed test procedures, see 16 CFR §§1213.4 and 1513.4.
With no mattress, use wedge blocks to probe the gap between guardrail and upper‑bunk mattress foundation, and the openings at the ends. Place the wedge at the most likely position, then pull the wedge’s front end into the space using a hook. For the guardrail‑to‑foundation gap, gradually pull with 33 ft‑lb force for 1 minute.
If the wedge can pass freely through any lower‑berth end opening, try inserting a 9‑inch rigid sphere. If the sphere passes freely, the opening must be tested for neck constriction.
Repeat the test after placing the thickest mattress and foundation.
How do you test a neck clamp?
The neck‑clip test uses a specially designed probe simulating a child’s head, inserted into each opening per a precise procedure. Due to test complexity, we do not summarise it here; see 16 CFR §1213.4(c)(3) or §1513.4(c)(3), or contact us.
Other applicable standards
ASTM F1427-13– Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Bunk Beds – includes additional design and performance requirements.
Additional 16 CFR 1513 requirements
Children’s bunk beds must not have sharp points or edges (see 16 CFR §§1500.48 and 1500.49). These do not require third‑party testing.
Additional CPSIA requirements for bunk beds
For bunk beds designed or intended for children 12 or younger:
● Surface coating – paint must not contain more than 0.009% lead (90 ppm).
● Lead content – total lead in any accessible component must not exceed 100 ppm (0.01%).
● Phthalates – for those defined as child care articles, plasticised components must not contain more than 0.1% of any of the eight specified phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIBP, DPENP, DHEXP, DCHP).
● Testing and certification – must be tested by a CPSC‑accredited third‑party lab; domestic manufacturers (or importers) must issue a CPC. Adult bunk beds require a GCC (based on testing or a reasonable testing procedure).
● Tracking label – bunk beds must have a warning label and a label with manufacturer/importer name, address, model number, and month/year of manufacture. Also, under CPSIA §14(a)(5), children’s products must have a traceability label (origin, date, batch/run) on product and packaging. A single label may cover all requirements. In addition, bunk beds must be marked with the appropriate mattress dimensions and thickness, along with safe‑use warnings.
For more information, please contact SATISFY customer service. SATISFY offers one‑stop bunk bed testing – including preliminary assessments, document preparation and submission, end‑to‑end monitoring of testing and certification, compliance labelling, and post‑certification follow‑up.
Previous page
Related Information
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC delivers full-lifecycle technical solutions for children’s products, hygiene care, protective equipment, furniture, and building materials. Our framework spans compliance pre-assessment, standard upgrading, and risk control. We empower manufacturers and exporters through expert testing, certification, consulting, and standards interpretation.
Contact Us
Address: Room 7D, Building A, Zhongzhou Holdings Financial Center, No. 88 Haide 1st Road, Haizhu Community, Yuehai Subdistrict, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Phone: 0755-8273-9683
Mobile: 189-2676-2893
Email: info@sdswcn.com
Sales Window
WeChat Applet