The Bunk Beds (Entrapment Hazards) (Safety) Regulations 1987

regulation 2

THE SCHEDULE MEASUREMENT OF GAPS

The Apparatus

1.  The apparatus shall be constructed in accordance with the diagram and specifications shown below and shall consist of a cone so constructed as not visibly to distort under the forces applied during the measurement. The angle included between two opposite generating lines on the surface of the cone shall be 30°. Two lines shall be marked continuously round the surface of the cone, one where the diameter of the circular section of the cone is 60 millimetres and the other where the diameter is 75 millimetres. A means (such as a spring balance) shall be attached to the cone in such a way that it can be used to give an accurate indication of an axial force of 100 Newtons.

Method of Measurement

Gaps in the sleeping surface

2.  Any gap in the sleeping surface of a bunk bed shall be measured by inserting the point of the cone into the gap in such a way that its axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the plane which joins the boundaries of the gap. The cone shall be advanced slowly and steadily further into the gap until an axial force of 100 Newtons is indicated, in which condition the points of contact between the surface of the cone and the boundaries of the gap shall lie on the 75 millimetre line marked round the cone or at a position representing a smaller diameter. The measurement shall be taken in as many places in any such gap as may be necessary to determine the most onerous conditions of dimension and distortion of the boundaries of the gap.

Other gaps

3.  Any other gap in the structure of a bunk bed shall be measured by each of the following methods.

• First, the point of the cone shall be inserted into the gap in such a way that its axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the plane which joins the boundaries of the gap. Without any axial force, and with at least two points of contact between the boundaries of the gap and the surface of the cone, such points of contact shall be on or between the 60 millimetre and 75 millimetre lines marked around the cone. The measurement shall be taken in as many places in any such gap as may be necessary to determine the most onerous condition of dimension of the boundaries of the gap.

• Secondly, the point of the cone shall be inserted into the gap in such a way that its axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the plane which joins the boundaries of the gap. The cone shall be advanced slowly and steadily further into the gap until an axial force of 100 Newtons is indicated, in which condition the points of contact between the surface of the cone and the boundaries of the gap shall lie on or between the 60 millimetre and 75 millimetre lines marked round the cone. The measurement shall be taken in as many places in any such gap as may be necessary to determine the most onerous conditions of dimension and distortion of the boundaries of the gap.