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
, teen or
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 INDOORS. Pressure treated lumber contains
Click
for more information on
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