Bunk Bed Safety Standards Compared
Direct answers
What guardrail height does a bunk bed need?
The upper bunk guardrail must sit at least 16 cm (160 mm) above the top of the mattress under EN 747-1. The Australian and US standards set their own figures. Zehao builds upper guardrails to the 16 cm minimum and states the figure in the SGS test report.
What is the minimum age for an upper bunk?
The European rule requires a permanent warning that the upper bunk is not suitable for children under 6. In Australia the same warning uses 9 years. The bed is not banned for younger users, but the label must carry the age, and most school and hostel buyers take that figure as their own minimum policy.
How much weight must a bunk bed hold?
There is no single pass weight in the standard. What matters is the tested load per berth. Zehao standard models are SGS tested to 200 kg per berth, and economy models are rated at 120 kg. Ask for the SGS report with the quotation, because it states both the load and the test method.
What mattress thickness keeps a bunk bed compliant?
Any mattress up to the thickness stated in the bed's own instruction sheet. A thicker mattress lowers the effective guardrail height. Zehao dormitory beds are specified with a 10 cm (100 mm) mattress at 28 kg/m3 density, which keeps the guardrail above the 16 cm minimum.
Which standard applies to prison and military beds?
The European bunk bed standard expressly excludes beds for prisons, the military and fire brigades. Correctional beds are specified against the buyer's own technical specification plus structural testing. Zehao prison frames use cold-rolled tube with a 1.2-2.0 mm wall, concealed fixings, no detachable parts, and 200 kg per berth SGS load testing.
Bunk bed safety standards compared: EN 747 vs ASTM F1427 vs AS/NZS 4220
The three main bunk-bed safety standards are EN 747 (Europe), ASTM F1427 (United States) and AS/NZS 4220 (Australia and New Zealand). This comparison table shows scope and key requirements so buyers can match beds to their market before tendering.
Standard comparison
| Standard | Region | Guardrail | Mattress | Top bunk load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN 747-1:2024 | Europe and many import markets | Mandatory, min height above mattress | Max thickness specified | Tested to ~200 kg |
| ASTM F1427 | United States | Mandatory on upper bunk | Recommended thickness | Static + dynamic tests |
| AS/NZS 4220:2026 | Australia and New Zealand | Level 1/2 tiered for risk | Specified | Load-rated per level |
What this means for buyers
- EN 747-1:2024 is the broadest benchmark and is accepted across Europe, the Middle East and much of Africa and Asia.
- US-bound projects should confirm ASTM F1427 (and 16 CFR 1213) before purchase.
- Australian camps and accommodation need AS/NZS 4220 compliance, recently updated for 2026.
Zehao compliance
Zehao bunk beds are built to EN 747-1:2024 and EN 1725, CE marked, ISO 9001 certified, with SGS load testing to 200 kg per berth. For US or Australian tenders we can advise on the additional documentation required.
Frequently asked questions
Is EN 747 accepted outside Europe?
Yes. Many Middle East, African and Asian importers reference EN 747 as the default bed safety benchmark.
What changed in AS/NZS 4220:2026?
The 2026 update refined risk levels (Level 1 and Level 2) for different accommodation types; confirm the exact clause with your certifier.
Do your beds carry CE marking?
Yes, Zehao metal beds are CE marked under the applicable EU directives, supported by EN 747 and SGS test reports.
Related pages
Last updated: 2026-09-28. Standard summaries are for guidance; always verify the current edition with the issuing body.