ISO 10131-1:1997

Overview

ISO 10131-1:1997 specifies safety requirements for foldaway beds (domestic use). As Part 1 of the ISO 10131 series, it defines construction, anchoring, mechanical and user-safety criteria for beds whose sleeping surface rotates about a horizontal axis. It does not cover material specifications or electrical components and excludes camp beds, sofa-beds and convertible chairs. ISO 10131-2:1997 contains the associated test methods referenced throughout this part.

Key Topics

• Scope and definitions
  • Applies to domestic foldaway beds; defines a foldaway bed as a bed whose sleeping surface rotates about at least one horizontal axis.
• General construction
  • Accessible edges and protrusions must be rounded, burr-free and free of open tube ends.
• Articulated elements
  • Shear and crush points must be avoided or protected; operating forces must not vary by more than 20% between start and end of the durability test (10,000 cycles, see ISO 10131-2).
• Fixings and durability
  • Hinges and articulation mechanisms must remain tight during use and not loosen after specified tests.
  • Structural elements and wall anchors must not suffer functional damage after durability and fatigue tests.
• Unexpected opening/closing
  • During closure tests, supports must not lift more than 5 mm (no sudden closure).
  • The foldaway part must re-close automatically after an opening of 150 mm; force at the defined load point must exceed 250 N in the opening test.
  • Minimum opening force: 20 N, unless a manual positive-retention device (e.g., keyed or two-action button) is fitted.
  • Locking mechanisms require a minimum maneuvering force of 50 N.
• Energy and motion limits
  • Opening energy at 70° must not exceed 10 N·m (nominal). Higher energies (up to 60 N·m or 120 N·m with counterweights) are allowed only with additional automatic-closing and load limits.
• Anchoring to the building
  • At least two anchorage points are required; each anchor must provide at least two hanging holes. Fixings and installation instructions must be supplied.
  • Annex A provides a calculation method for minimum number of screws per anchor using required anchor force and screw pull-out resistance.
• User information & marking
  • Two installation instructions must be supplied (one permanently visible near the anchor) with warnings, installer qualification statement, anchor retention force, required screw count (per Annex A), and mattress weight limits.
  • Durable marking must include manufacturer ID and reference to ISO 10131-1.

Applications

• For furniture manufacturers, product designers and engineers to design compliant foldaway beds.
• For installation professionals and qualified fitters to select appropriate fixings and follow required mounting instructions.
• For test laboratories and certification bodies to verify safety and durability according to ISO 10131-2 test methods.
• Useful for procurement/specifiers and regulators assessing safety conformity of domestic foldaway beds.

Related Standards

• ISO 10131-2:1997 - Foldaway beds - Safety requirements and tests - Part 2: Methods of test (provides the test procedures referenced in this part).