The Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) has followed the 2017 publication of its standard, FS 058: 2017 Seating - Performance and dimensional requirement for bariatric seating, with a new standard for bariatric beds, FS 060: 2019 Beds – performance and dimensional requirement for bariatric beds.
It specifies test methods and requirements for safety, strength, and durability performance requirements, for the structural safety and stability of all types of bariatric beds and bed bases for contract and domestic use, by persons weighing between 150 kg and 250 kg. It also recommends dimensional requirements for bariatric beds.
Phil Reynolds, FIRA’s COO, said: “Designing bariatric products can pose issues for designers and manufacturers, as it is not just a case of taking a ‘standard’ product and increasing dimensions. There is so much more to consider – including how weight mass needs to be distributed, and our team worked with bariatric models to establish what happens in real life. We wanted to support the industry in the challenges it faces from changing demographics through the development of this new standard.” Sections include:
- Scope.
- Test equipment, general test conditions, and test reports.
- Tolerances.
- General safety requirements for shear and squeeze points - including when setting up and folding, under the influence of a powered mechanism, and during use.
- Stability, strength, and durability requirements.n Dimensional requirements.
- Design considerations
- Standard rationale for loads, cycles, loading points, and dimensions.
