Bunk bed

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A bunk bed

A bunk bed is a type of bed in which one bed frame is stacked on top of another. The nature of bunk beds allows two people to sleep in the same room while maximizing available floor space. This leads to them being used in places with limited floor space, such as on ships and in army garrisons or in places that wish to maximise bedspace such as: dormitories, summer camp cabins, hostels, children's rooms, prison cells, or university residence halls.

Bunk beds are normally supported by four poles or pillars, one at each corner of the bed. To get to the second bunk a ladder is used, though taller children often find other faster, more creative methods of climbing into them. The top bed is normally surrounded by a railing to prevent the sleeper from falling out, and some models also have a privacy curtain for the lower bunk. Because of the need for a ladder and the height of the bed, the top bunk of a bunkbed is not recommended for children under six years of age.

Types

The most common type is the standard bunk bed which has two same size mattresses stacked one directly over the other. A twin over full bunk bed is arranged as a standard except that the bottom mattress will be a full size and the upper will be a twin size. A futon bunk is also arranged like a standard bunk except the lower bunk will be a Western style futon couch which converts into a bed rather than a standard mattress. Futon bunks can be used to save space in small apartments or rooms, because the lower bed converts to a couch for use during the daytime. An L-shape staggers is the beds such that when viewed from above the beds form an L. This also creates a small alcove where a desk or bookshelf can be placed.

A loft bed denotes a bunk bed that has only the top bunk, creating an open space underneath that can be occupied by a chest, drawers, or even a work area.^{[1] [2]} This makes loft beds an efficient use of small spaces by utilizing the entire vertical area that would otherwise be left unused. Some loft beds even have stowable/trundle beds while retaining the capability to contain workstations and drawers. Some loft beds are more expensive than bunk beds due to built-in storage capacity and other features.

Bunk beds range in price from economy models made with metal or softwood frames in which the mattresses are supported by metal wire and spring suspension to expensive models made from hardwood which are outfitted with drawers, shelves, and other accessories. Some people make DIY bunk beds from wooden planks and fasteners, either from scratch or using plans or designs that they have purchased.

Safety

The issue of safety and bunk beds affects all users, but it is especially important with young children. Even adults who use bunk beds need to ensure that the ladder is properly attached to the upper bunk and that the mattress supports for the upper bunk are properly attached to the frame. However, young children face a greater risk of injury, because they are more likely to engage in unsafe activities or horseplay on a bunk bed. To protect children from falling from the top bunk, guardrails should be placed on all four sides of the mattress, running the full length of the mattress and frame. As a cost-cutting measure, some bunk beds only have a guardrail on one side of the bunk bed, on the assumption that the bed will be placed against a wall. However, the bed may be improperly located, or the children may move it away from the wall, which may expose the children to the risk of falling out of the unguarded side of the bed. Another safety issue is the sturdiness of the ladder and its attachment to the bunk bed. Even if the rungs are securely attached, the screws that attach the ladder to the upper bedframe may loosen over time.

Another safety issue is proper assembly of kit-style bunk beds. While some high-end bunk beds are shipped to the customer fully assembled, many modest-priced and lower-priced bunk beds are shipped and sold in kits which are assembled by the customer. When assembling the bed, all of the instructions should be followed, screws should be tightened. If a bunkbed has large gaps (more than 3 ½ inches in diameter) children's body parts could get trapped. As well, ensure that the mattress does not merely lie on top of the frame without support from additional crosspieces, because in this case, the upper mattress and its occupant could fall from the frame. Children should be instructed that they are only to use the ladder to reach the top bunk, and that they should not climb up "jungle gym" style on the frame. Only the proper-sized mattress should be used in a bunk bed; using too-big or too-small mattresses could lead to the mattress becoming dislodged and falling. If a bunk bed comes with screws or hooks to anchor the bed frame to the wall, these should be used. Even if the bed does not contain anchors, it may be appropriate to attach the frame to a wall for additional safety if the bunk bed appears to be unstable.

References

External links

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warning for bunk beds
• ASTM Safety Standards for bunk beds
• Bunk Beds Futon
• CPSC Bunk Bed Fact Sheet