ASTM F1912-17

Standard Specification for Safety of Bean Bag Chairs

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the minimum performance requirements and associated durability test for bean bag chairs (with and without zippers) for the intension of reducing possible choking and suffocation hazards associated with their use. The two types of bean bag chairs covered here are those designed to be refilled, and those designed with permanent closures and not intended to be refilled.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification is intended to reduce choking and suffocation hazard(s) associated with bean bag chairs.  
1.2 This specification covers bean bag chairs with and without zippers.  
1.3 This specification covers two types of bean bag chairs:  
1.3.1 Those designed to be refilled, and  
1.3.2 Those designed with permanent closures and not intended to be refilled.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2017
• ICS: 97.140 - Furniture
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.39 - Bean Bag Chairs

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1912-98(2009) - Standard Specification for Safety of Bean Bag Chairs
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2017

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F1912 −17
Standard Specification for
1
Safety of Bean Bag Chairs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1912; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This safety specification addresses choking and suffocation hazards that may exist with children and
bean bag chairs.
From January 1973 to August 1995, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received
reports of five deaths and 26 non-fatal incidents associated with bean bag chairs. Victims range in age
from 14 months to 14 years. Deaths and injuries related to:
(1) Suffocation—inside the bag,
(2) Suffocation—from pellets clogging nose/throat,
(3) Choking—pellets in mouth,
(4) Inhaling pellets, and
(5) Earache—pellets in ear.
1. Scope mechanism, and a filling of polymeric or natural material
beads. Any seams which are not sewn shut are closed with a
1.1 This specification is intended to reduce choking and
zipper.
suffocation hazard(s) associated with bean bag chairs.
2.1.2 direct path, n—an opening in a bean bag chair that
1.2 This specification covers bean bag chairs with and
1
allows a straight, 6 in. long, ⁄8-in. diameter, cylindrical rod to
without zippers.
penetrate from outside the bag to the beads or to a liner inside
1.3 This specification covers two types of bean bag chairs:
the bag that holds the beads if such a liner is used.
1.3.1 Those designed to be refilled, and
2.1.3 permanently disabled, adj—refers to a method(s) that
1.3.2 Those designed with permanent closures and not
will render the zipper inoperative in such a way that a
intended to be refilled.
consumer will need to destroy a zipper component in order to
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
gain access into the bean bag through the zipper opening.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
2.1.4 refillable bean bag chair, n—a bean bag chair intended
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
to be refilled with polymeric material, natural material beads,
and are not considered standard.
or a liner that contains either of the mentioned filler materials.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Performance Requirements
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1 Bean bag chairs shall be supplied with label(s) perma-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
nently attached and as specified in Section 4. The label(s) shall
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. warn the users of potential harm of an open bag and of the
ingredients.
2. Terminology
3.2 The durability test as specified in Section 5 shall not
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
result in the failure of the bean bag’s closures’ components or
2.1.1 bean bag chair, n—an article of furniture composed of
projections, or failure of its seams that allow beads or filler
a fabric, vinyl, leather, or other cover, no internal support
material to escape, or allow access to the beads or liner holding
the beads, if such a liner is used, by probe A defined in Fig. 1
driven by 5 lbf (22 N) or less.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
ConsumerProductsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF15.39onBean
3.3 Bean Bag Chairs, with Zippers but Not Intended To Be
Bag Chairs.
Refilled:
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2017. Published February 2017. Originally
3.3.1 Prior to shipment, zippers shall be closed and perma-
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as F1912 – 98 (2009).
DOI: 10.1520/F1912-17. nently disabled.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F1912−17
FIG. 1 Accessibility Probes
3.3.2 The zipper shall be closed and disabled such that a
force to open the zipper of 15 lbf (67 N) or more shall be
required to produce a direct path.
3.4 Bean Bag Chairs, with Zippers and Intended To Be
Refilled:
3.4.1 The zipper shall always lock when closed. The use of
a special tool as described in the product literature or supplied
Lettering
at the time of purchase shall be required to open or reopen the Signal word: ALL CAPS
Black lettering on orange background
zipper.Aforce to open the zipper of 15 lbf (67 N) or more shall
Sans serif-type font, 18 point
be required to produce a direct path unless a special tool is
Safety alert symbol:
used. Black triangle with an orange exclamation mark
Message text:
3.4.2 Prior to shipmen
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1912 − 98 (Reapproved 2009) F1912 − 17
Standard Specification for
1
Safety of Bean Bag Chairs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1912; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This safety specification addresses choking and suffocation hazards that may exist with children and
bean bag chairs.
From January 1973 to August 1995, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received
reports of five deaths and 26 non-fatal incidents associated with bean bag chairs. Victims range in age
from 14 months to 14 years. Deaths and injuries related to:
(1) Suffocation—inside the bag,
(2) Suffocation—from pellets clogging nose/throat,
(3) Choking—pellets in mouth,
(4) Inhaling pellets, and
(5) Earache—pellets in ear.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification is intended to reduce choking and suffocation hazard(s) associated with bean bag chairs.
1.2 This specification covers bean bag chairs with and without zippers.
1.3 This specification covers two types of bean bag chairs:
1.3.1 Those designed to be refilled, and
1.3.2 Those designed with permanent closures and not intended to be refilled.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2.1.1 bean bag chair, n—an article of furniture composed of a fabric, vinyl, leather, or other cover, no internal support
mechanism, and a filling of polymeric or natural material beads. Any seams which are not sewn shut are closed with a zipper.
1
2.1.2 direct path, n—an opening in a bean bag chair that allows a straight, 6 in. long, ⁄8-in. diameter, cylindrical rod to penetrate
from outside the bag to the beads or to a liner inside the bag that holds the beads if such a liner is used.
2.1.3 permanently disabled, adj—refers to a method(s) that will render the zipper inoperative in such a way that a consumer will
need to destroy a zipper component in order to gain access into the bean bag through the zipper opening.
2.1.4 refillable bean bag chair, n—a bean bag chair intended to be refilled with polymeric material, natural material beads, or
a liner that contains either of the mentioned filler materials.
3. Performance Requirements
3.1 Bean bag chairs shall be supplied with label(s) permanently attached and as specified in Section 4. The label(s) shall warn
the users of potential harm of an open bag and of the ingredients.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.39 on Bean Bag Chairs.
Current edition approved April 1, 2009Feb. 1, 2017. Published May 2009February 2017. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
F1912 – 98 (2004).(2009). DOI: 10.1520/F1912-98R09.10.1520/F1912-17.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F1912 − 17
3.2 The durability test as specified in Section 5 shall not result in the failure of the bean bag’s closures’ components or
projections, or failure of its seams that allow beads or filler material to escape, or allow access to the beads or liner holding the
beads, if such a liner is used, by probe A defined in Fig. 1 driven by 5 lbf (22 N) or less.
3.3 Bean Bag Chairs, with Zippers but Not Intended To Be Refilled:
3.3.1 Prior to shipment, zippers shall be closed and permanently disabled with a mechanical device.disabled.
3.3.2 The zipper shall be closed and disabled such that a force to open the zipper of 15 lbf (67 N) or more shall be required
to produce a direct path.
3.4 Bean Bag Chairs, with Zippers and Intended To Be Refilled:
3.4.1 The zipper shall always lock when closed. The use of a special tool as described in the product literature or supplied at
the time of purchase sha
...