Too good to just sleep in

A high bed in a child's bedroom offers far more than a place to sleep. The space beneath a high bed can often be used for shelves, a desk or seating, and many beds have additional features such as a slide, climbing frame or tent. However, when a bed is transformed into a play or work landscape, additional requirements must be met by its components. TÜV SÜD's product inspection experts explain what parents should look for when choosing or buying a high bed.

All high beds must comply with the relevant standards EN 747-1:2007 (Bunk beds and high beds for domestic use. Safety, strength and durability requirements) and EN 747-2:2007 (Bunk beds and high beds for domestic use. Test methods). Reference must be made to these standards in the instruction manual and on the bed itself. Additional voluntary quality marks such as the GS (Certified Safety) mark or the TÜV SÜD Octagon show that the bed has been inspected by an impartial testing body. The CE mark, on the other hand, has no informational value for prospective purchasers; it is obligatory for this product group and is displayed on all beds.

As a general rule, stress the TÜV SÜD experts, high beds are more likely to be the scene of accidents than normal beds because of their height and their design as play equipment. The danger of falling and sustaining injuries is relatively high, so that beds of this type are only recommended for children aged six and upwards.

What aspects are tested?

Testing procedures for high beds in line with the EN 747-1 and 747-2 standards focus on the following factors, which parents should also watch out for when purchasing:

• The bed must be stable and tilt-proof. To achieve this, the individual elements must be firmly interconnected. All surfaces, edges and screws must be smooth and rounded.
• Where possible a high bed should be made of wood (solid wood or quality laminated solid wood) or metal. Chipboard and plastic are less suitable materials. 
• The slatted frame should be fixed in position; otherwise gaps between the main bed frame and slatted frame could appear during children's play and result in serious injury. In addition, the distance between the elements of the base (slats or springs) should not exceed 75 mm.
• The ladder must be fixed to the bed and should have a handrail if possible. The rungs or steps should be between 20 and 30 cm apart, with a minimum width of 30 cm and preferably anti-slip covers. The "step depth" – the available space for the foot when placed on a rung or step - should be at least
  9 cm, although the actual depth of the steps or rungs may be much smaller. The distance between the floor and the top edge of the first step or rung should not exceed 400 mm.
• In a high bed construction, the top bed must be equipped with additional fall protection in the shape of a board, bars or rail. The industrial standard states that this fall protection must project at least 16 cm over the top edge of the mattress. The bed frame must have a marking showing the maximum permissible height of the mattress – particularly useful information when new mattresses are required which may not exceed this marking. The opening in the fall protection giving access to the top bed must be between 30 and 40 cm wide, to allow for comfortable access yet preventing the child from falling out unintentionally.
• The bed must be free from all sharp edges or points; all screw holes must have cover caps, and in the case of metal beds all tubular frame ends must be closed.

The floor in front of the bed should be as soft as possible to cushion any falls. In addition, a nightlight should be installed to minimize the danger of falling in nightly "excursions".

Low-priced high beds from discounters can be a bargain – providing they comply with the specified safety requirements. Here, a quality mark from an independent, impartial testing organization like TÜV SÜD – such as the GS "Tested Safety" mark – can give valuable guidance. In addition to checking the product's compliance with the requirements governing dimensions, design and construction, the GS test also involves static and dynamic strength tests and analyses the products for the presence of toxic or harmful substances.

Contact: Dr. Thomas Oberst