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Top 10 Safety Features to consider when purchasing

or building Loft Beds or Bunk Beds

 

At College Bed Lofts, loft bed and bunk bed safety is our #1 concern.  We designed our beds to incorporated the safety features required by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.  In addition, we also added a few safety features and guidelines of our own. 

1. Weight Capacity.  This by far is the most important safety feature to consider in any loft or bunk bed.  Make sure the unit is capable of handling the normal day-to-day total weight of the intended users. If the manufacturer doesn’t specify a weight capacity, then it is most likely designed for young children with a typical 150-200 pound capacity. Remember, the weight capacity includes the weight of the person plus the mattress and foundation. If you are the type of parent that likes to read to their child in bed, you need to consider a bed with a higher weight capacity.  The weight capacity of our loft and bunk beds is 1000 lbs. of evenly distributed weight, which makes our beds one of the sturdiest on the market and will hold up to the toughest youth, teen or college student environment.  As a comparison, loft beds sold by Wal-Mart have a 150 lb. limit and IKEA doesn't specify a weight limit but state on their website that their beds are for children.

2. Secure Mattress Slats. It is important that the mattress slats are securely fastened to the bed rails.            Mattress Foundation

If not secured, kids playing around could dislodge the upper mattress which could fall and entrap the child underneath.  We provide a complete mattress foundation (see picture →), and each slat is screwed into the front and back rails.                                  


3. Safety Rails. It is important that the upper mattress have safety rails that are at least 5” above the top of the mattress. Regardless of whether you are a child or college student, accidents do happen and rolling around and falling out is a possibility. To prevent a child from falling through and getting their head caught, make sure there is no opening anywhere around the mattress area that is wider that 3”. Regardless of age, play it safe and use the safety rail.  For our loft beds with the Youth Safety Rails, we provide double safety rails on all four sides that extend 10" above the top of the mattress.  For college loft bed they extend 5" above the top of the mattress.

4. Properly Sized Mattress. Use only a properly sized mattress and do not exceed the mattress thickness specifications. The mattress frame area must enclose the mattress so as to not let it slide out.  At College Bed Lofts, we custom build each loft and bunk bed to your exact mattress thickness, so our beds can use any thickness mattress.

5. Secure Ladder. It is important to have a secure ladder that is physically attached that can’t dislodge while climbing up.  Our ladders are screwed into the bed, they can't dislodge.

6. No coat hooks near ladder. Do not attach coat hooks or any protruding object that could catch on clothing while climbing up or down.

7. Sturdy and Free Standing. The bed must be sturdy, free standing and not wobble while climbing up. It must not lean up against a wall for support. Do not consider lofts where the manufacturer requires it to be bolted to a wall.

8. Ceiling Height. Make sure there is adequate ceiling height above the top of the mattress. A minimum of 30” of headroom above is recommended. Also, do not place the bed near a ceiling fan or in front of a window, door, closet or fire/smoke detector.

If you are unsure of how much headroom you will get above and underneath, you can use our Loft Bed Height Calculator and enter your specifications.

9. Follow College Requirements. All college residence halls have specific requirements regarding the use and placement of loft and bunk beds, check with your college dorm administration to get the requirements.

10. Do Not Use Pressure Treated Lumber. If you are building it yourself, do not use Pressure Treated Lumber. Pressure treated lumber must never be used indoors.  If you are buying a used loft, or going into a fraternity or sorority house with existing loft or bunk beds, you should verify the material the bed was made from.  If you are unsure, then remove it.

 

 

 

PLEASE READ - SAFETY WARNING

An important note to students who plan to build their own loft bed.  Most colleges recommend the corner posts be made from 4x4 lumber.  However, untreated 4x4 lumber is very difficult to find as it is primarily used for outdoor decks with a pressure treated additive.   PLEASE NOTE, YOU MUST NEVER USE PRESSURE TREATED LUMBER INDOORSPressure treated lumber contains ARSENIC (which is poisonous).  Click here for more information on Pressure Treated Lumber.