ISO 10131
Foldaway Beds – Safety Requirements and Tests
Micom Laboratories offers comprehensive testing services based on the ISO 10131 standard, which is vital for ensuring the safety and performance of foldaway beds, commonly known as Murphy beds. This standard is divided into two key sections: “ISO 10131-1: Safety requirements”, which lists the constraints to be met for the bed to be considered safe and the acceptance criteria for the various tests, and “ISO 10131-2: Test Methods”, which describes the steps required to complete each test. By offering furniture testing services based on these guidelines, we help manufacturers provide consumers with safe, reliable and high-quality Murphy beds.
Murphy Beds and the Importance of Safety Testing
Murphy beds, commonly referred to as foldaway beds, are innovative space-saving solutions designed to fold up against a wall when not in use, making them ideal for small living spaces. However, their unique design necessitates rigorous safety testing to ensure reliability and prevent accidents. Without proper testing, these beds can pose significant risks, including unexpected openings or structural failures that may lead to serious injuries or fatalities. Ensuring compliance with safety standards like ISO 10131 is essential for protecting consumers and promoting safe usage.
ISO 10131-1: Safety Requirements for Foldaway Beds
ISO 10131-1 establishes essential safety requirements that manufacturers must meet to ensure that their products are not only functional but also safe for everyday use.
Key aspects covered in ISO 10131-1 include:
- Structural Integrity: Specifications for the overall strength and stability of the bed frame and its components.
- Wall Attachment Safety: Detailed requirements for secure wall mounting to prevent accidents caused by detachment.
- Opening and Closing Mechanisms: Safety criteria for the bed’s folding mechanism to prevent unexpected opening or closing.
- Pinch Point Protection: Guidelines to minimize the risk of injury from pinch points during operation.
- Weight Capacity: Specifications for the maximum safe load the bed can support.
- Material Requirements: Standards for the quality and durability of materials used in construction.
- User Instructions: Requirements for clear and comprehensive user manuals and safety warnings.
These safety requirements serve as the basis for the test methods described in ISO 10131-2, ensuring that foldaway beds meet rigorous safety standards before reaching consumers. By adhering to these requirements, manufacturers can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries associated with these space-saving furniture pieces.
ISO 10131-2: Test Methods
ISO 10131-2 outlines the specific test methods necessary for evaluating the safety and performance of foldaway beds.
Before Starting the ISO 10131-2 Tests
The foldaway bed structure must be conditioned for at least one week in a normalized atmosphere with a temperature of (23 ± 2) °C and relative humidity of (50 ± 5) % according to ISO 554.
Minimum and maximum mattress weights must be provided. This requirement applies only if the bed is not supplied with a specific mattress (or an adjustable tension device).
Tests Covered by ISO 10131-2
This standard’s accuracy requirements are similar to the BIFMA standards for office furniture. The tests required in ISO 10131 are as follows:
- Creation of a graph of the opening/closing force as a function of the angle of the bed (see graph below)
- Execution of 10,000 open-close cycles of the bed (with a mattress in it)
- Verification of the durability of the bed under repeated application of a weight
- Verification of unwanted bed opening/closing following the application of a force
- Verification of the durability of the fastening device
Force VS Angle Graph for Bed Opening and Closing
Trust Micom Laboratories for specific tests on murphy beds
and other types of furniture.
Our Expert Opinion on Murphy Bed Safety
In a recent interview with Radio-Canada’s La Facture, Michel Comtois emphasized the critical role of ISO 10131 testing in enhancing Murphy bed safety. With over 200,000 recalls since 2022 and numerous injuries reported, our commitment to rigorous testing is vital to protect consumers and prevent tragic accidents.
Experts in Furniture Testing
Testing to ISO 10131 is just one of the many tests Micom offers. Our extensive experience in furniture testing includes compliance assessments according to BIFMA and SEFA 8 standards, ensuring that your products meet industry requirements.
As a fully accredited material testing laboratory, we can perform a wide range of additional tests according to your needs to evaluate your product’s durability or obtain the required certifications. For example, we have expertise in UV testing, corrosion testing, package testing to name a few.
To learn more about our testing services for residential and commercial furniture manufacturers, visit our Furniture Testing page or contact us directly.