ASTM F1912-21

Standard Specification for Safety of Bean Bag Chairs and Bean Bag Chair Covers

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 and bean bag chair covers.  
1.2 This specification covers bean bag chairs and bean bag chair covers 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 This specification does not cover products that include shredded foam or fiber-fill used as an internal filler material.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2021
• ICS: 97.140 - Furniture
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.39 - Bean Bag Chairs

Overview

ASTM F1912-21: Standard Specification for Safety of Bean Bag Chairs and Bean Bag Chair Covers establishes minimum safety and durability requirements for bean bag chairs and their covers. Developed by ASTM International, this standard aims to reduce the risk of choking and suffocation associated with bean bag furniture, particularly for children. The document applies to two types of chairs-those intended to be refilled with pellet filling and those designed with permanent closures. Strict labeling, closure, and durability requirements help prevent accidental access to pellet fillings, mitigating hazards during normal use.

Key Topics

• Scope of Coverage: The standard addresses all bean bag chairs and covers using beads or pellet fillings, with or without zippers. It excludes products filled with shredded foam or fiber-fill.
• Hazard Reduction: The principal focus is to minimize choking and suffocation risks that have led to child injuries and fatalities in the past, particularly by preventing access to the filling material.
• Types of Closures:
  • Refillable: Must incorporate locking zippers that require a special tool for access, preventing children from inadvertently opening the chair.
  • Non-refillable: Zippers must be permanently disabled before shipping so access to the filling is not possible.
• Durability Testing: Chairs are subject to impact testing to ensure seams, zippers, and closures withstand repeated use and do not fail in a way that would expose the filling.
• Labeling Requirements: Permanent warning labels with specified formats inform users about hazards and proper use. Labeling covers both refillable and non-refillable types.

Applications

ASTM F1912-21 is essential for manufacturers, importers, retailers, and regulatory agencies involved in the production and sale of bean bag chairs and bean bag chair covers. Key applications include:

• Product Development: Assisting designers and manufacturers in creating bean bag chairs that comply with stringent safety specifications, particularly concerning closure mechanisms and material containment.
• Quality Assurance: Providing a testing protocol for endurance and durability ensures products are robust and safe for extended use, contributing to overall consumer safety.
• Regulatory Compliance: Enabling companies to meet both national and international requirements on furniture safety, facilitating global trade and helping meet consumer protection regulations.
• Consumer Information: Ensuring that all supplied bean bag chairs feature clear, permanent warnings about safety risks, raising parental awareness about proper product usage and possible suffocation or choking hazards.

Related Standards

• ASTM F15 Consumer Products Standards: Covers a range of standards for consumer product safety, including furniture and children’s items.
• CPSC Guidelines: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provides additional guidelines and recalls related to children’s furniture safety.
• ISO 8124-1: Safety of Toys - Part 1: Although broader in scope, certain elements align regarding small parts and suffocation hazards.
• Furnishings and Upholstery Standards: National and international standards often address flammability and mechanical safety in addition to choking and suffocation.

Keywords: ASTM F1912-21, bean bag chair safety, bean bag chair cover, product safety standard, furniture safety, choking hazard, suffocation hazard, zipper safety, children’s furniture safety, durability test, labeling requirements, consumer product safety

By adhering to ASTM F1912-21, stakeholders in the bean bag chair industry can significantly reduce injury risks and provide safer, compliant products for consumers worldwide.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F1912 −21
Standard Specification for
Safety of Bean Bag Chairs and Bean Bag Chair Covers
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’s
use of bean bag chairs and bean bag chair covers.
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 ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 This specification is intended to reduce choking and
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
suffocation hazard(s) associated with bean bag chairs and bean
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
bag chair covers.
1.2 This specification covers bean bag chairs and bean bag
2. Terminology
chair covers with and without zippers.
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This specification covers two types of bean bag chairs:
2.1.1 bean bag chair, n—an article of furniture composed of
1.3.1 Those designed to be refilled, and
a fabric, vinyl, leather, or other cover, no internal support
1.3.2 Those designed with permanent closures and not
mechanism, and a filling of polymeric or natural material
intended to be refilled.
beads.
1.4 This specification does not cover products that include
2.1.2 bean bag chair cover, n—a bag or cover capable of
shredded foam or fiber-fill used as an internal filler material.
being filled with polymeric or natural material beads, or a liner
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
that contains polymeric or natural material beads.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
2.1.3 direct path, n—an opening in a bean bag chair that
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
allows a straight, 6 in. long, ⁄8-in. diameter, cylindrical rod to
and are not considered standard.
penetrate from outside the bag to the beads or to a liner inside
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the bag that holds the beads if such a liner is used.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2.1.4 non-refillable bean bag chair, n—a bean bag chair not
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
intended to be refilled with polymeric or natural material
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
beads, or a liner that contains polymeric or natural material
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
beads.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 2.1.5 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
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
gain access into the bean bag through the zipper opening.
ConsumerProductsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF15.39onBean
Bag Chairs.
2.1.6 refillable bean bag chair, n—a bean bag chair intended
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2021. Published August 2021. Originally
to be refilled with polymeric or natural material beads, or a
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F1912 – 19. DOI:
10.1520/F1912-21. liner that contains polymeric or natural material beads.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1912−21
3. Performance Requirements 4.2 Bean bag chairs having zippers but not intended for
refilling shall have a permanent warning label as shown in Fig.
3.1 The durability test as specified in Section 5 shall not
2.
result in the failure of the bean bag’s closures’ components or
projections, or failure of its seams that allow beads or filler 4.3 Bean bag chairs and bean bag chair covers having
material to escape, or allow access to the beads or liner holding zippers that are intended for refilling shall have a permanent
the beads, if such a liner is used, by probe A defined in Fig. 1 warning label as shown in Fig. 3, and information either on the
driven by 5 lbf (22 N) or less. warning label or on a separate permanent label describing
detailed instructions for opening and reclosing the zipper.
3.2 Bean Bag Chairs, with Zippers but Not Intended To Be
Refilled:
5. Durability Test
3.2.1 Prior to shipment, zippers shall be closed and perma-
5.1 Scope—This test evaluates the ability of the finished
nently disabled.
bean bag chair to contain the polymeric beads.
3.2.2 Th
...

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 − 19 F1912 − 21
Standard Specification for
Safety of Bean Bag Chairs and Bean Bag Chair Covers
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’s
use of bean bag chairs and bean bag chair covers.
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 and bean bag chair
covers.
1.2 This specification covers bean bag chairs and bean bag chair covers 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 This specification does not cover products that include shredded foam or fiber-fill used as an internal filler material.
1.5 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.
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
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 Oct. 1, 2019Aug. 1, 2021. Published October 2019August 2021. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20172019 as
F1912 – 17.F1912 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/F1912-19.10.1520/F1912-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1912 − 21
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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.
2.1.2 bean bag chair cover, n—a bag or cover capable of being filled with polymeric or natural material beads, or a liner that
contains polymeric or natural material beads.
2.1.3 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.
2.1.4 non-refillable bean bag chair, n—a bean bag chair not intended to be refilled with polymeric or natural material beads, or
a liner that contains polymeric or natural material beads.
2.1.5 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.
2.1.6 refillable bean bag chair, n—a bean bag chair intended to be refilled with polymeric or natural material beads, or a liner that
contains polymeric or natural material beads.
3. Performance Requirements
3.1 Bean bag chairs and bean bag covers shall be supplied with label(s) permanently attached and as specified in Section 4.
3.1 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.
3.2 Bean Bag Chairs, with Zippers but Not Intended To Be Refilled:
3.2.1 Prior to shipment, zippers shall be closed and permanently disabled.
3.2.2 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.
3.3 Bean Bag Chairs and Bean Bag Chair Covers, with Zippers and Intended To Be Refilled:
3.3.1 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 zipper. A force to open the zipper of 15 lbf (67 N) or more shall b
...