ASTM F1912-98

Standard Specification for Safety of Bean Bag Chairs

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 the standard. The SI values given in parentheses are for information only.
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: 09-Sep-1998
• ICS: 97.140 - Furniture
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.39 - Bean Bag Chairs

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F1912-98(2004) - Standard Specification for Safety of Bean Bag Chairs
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2004

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1912 – 98
Standard Specification for
1
Safety of Bean Bag Chairs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1912; 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 (e) 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 5 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 2.1.2 direct path, n—an opening in a bean bag chair that
1
allows a straight, 6 in. long, ⁄8-in. diameter, cylindrical rod to
1.1 This specification is intended to reduce choking and
penetrate from outside the bag to the beads or to a liner inside
suffocation hazard(s) associated with bean bag chairs.
the bag that holds the beads if such a liner is used.
1.2 This specification covers bean bag chairs with and
without zippers.
3. Performance Requirements
1.3 This specification covers two types of bean bag chairs:
3.1 Bean bag chairs shall be supplied with label(s) perma-
1.3.1 Those designed to be refilled, and
nently attached and as specified in Section 4. The label(s) shall
1.3.2 Those designed with permanent closures and not
warn the users of potential harm of an open bag and of the
intended to be refilled.
ingredients.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.2 The durability test as specified in Section 5 shall not
as the standard. The SI values given in parentheses are for
result in the failure of the bean bag’s closures’ components or
information only.
projections, or failure of its seams that allow beads or filler
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
material to escape, or allow access to the beads or liner holding
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the beads, if such a liner is used, by probe A defined in Fig. 1
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
driven by 5 lbf (22 N) or less.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.3 Bean Bag Chairs, with Zippers but Not Intended To Be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Refilled:
2. Terminology 3.3.1 Prior to shipment, zippers shall be closed and perma-
nently disabled with a mechanical device.
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.3.2 The zipper shall be closed and disabled such that a
2.1.1 bean bag chair, n—an article of furniture composed of
force to open the zipper of 15 lbf (67 N) or more shall be
a fabric, vinyl, leather, or other cover, no internal support
required to produce a direct path.
mechanism, and a filling of polymeric or natural material
3.4 Bean Bag Chairs, with Zippers and Intended To Be
beads. Any seams which are not sewn shut are closed with a
Refilled:
zipper.
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 shall be required to open or reopen the
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-15 on
zipper. A force to open the zipper of 15 lbf (67 N) or more shall
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.39 on Bean
be required to produce a direct path unless a special tool is
Bag Chairs.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1998. Published February 1999. used.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F 1912
FIG. 1 Accessibility Probes
3.4.2 Prior to shipment the zipper shall be closed and the
special tool required to open or reopen the zipper shall be
removed from the zipper.
4. Label(s)
4.1 Bags having zippers but not intended for refilling shall
Lettering
have a permanent warning label as shown in Fig. 2.
Signal word: ALL CAPS
4.2 Bags having zippers that are intended for refilling shall
Black lettering on orange background
have a permanent warning label as shown in Fig. 3, and
Sans serif-type font, 18 point
Safety alert symbol:
information either on the warning label or on a separate
Black triangle with an orange exclamation m
...