NBSIR 75-714

Report on Test on a Sample of

Non-Standard Size Baby Cribs

Ryan Pierson, Jr. Richard I. Beall James A. Huckeba

Product Systems Section

Product Engineering Division

Center for Consumer Product Technology

June 1975

This is a final report

Prepared for Consumer Product Safety Commission

5401 Westbard Avenue

Bethesda, Maryland 20016

NBSIR 75-714

REPORT OF TEST ON A SAMPLE OF

NON-STANDARD SIZE BABY CRIBS

Ryan Pierson, Jr. Richard I. Beall James A. Huckeba

Product Systems Section

Product Engineering Division

Center for Consumer Product Technology

June 1975

This is a final report

Prepared for Consumer Product Safety Commission

5401 Westbard Avenue

Bethesda, Maryland 20016

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Rogers O B. Morton. Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS. Richard W. Roberts. Director

Purpose

A sample of non-standard size baby cribs was tested for compliance

with the Proposed Regulation for Non-Standard Size Baby Cribs in order to

evaluate the Proposed Regulation, especially the tests and test procedures.

A copy of the Proposed Regulation is included as an appendix to this

report. The test procedures were found to be easy to interpret and to

carry out, and an evaluation of the Proposed Regulation was transmitted

to the CPSC during February. This report presents the results obtained

from testing the cribs for compliance with the Proposed Regulation, a detailed description of some of the hazards, and some evaluative comments

on the Proposed Regulation.

Test Sample

Non-standard size baby cribs are defined by §1509. 2(b) and (c) of

the Proposed Regulation. A sample of eight such cribs was purchased from

local retail stores during December 1974 and January 1975. One of the

cribs had been preassembled and folded to fit into a retail carton.

Another was bought as a set of preassembled and folded components and a separate canopy packed in a carton. These cribs could be erected and

made ready for use without using tools. Six of the cribs were bought

as unassembled components packed in cartons. The components were unpacked

and assembled or erected according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Not all cribs included instructions. Crib mattresses were included in

the retail cartons of five of the cribs. One crib could be used without

a mattress, and mattresses were purchased separately for the two remaining

cribs.

The cribs tested are shown in figures 1 through 5; identifying

numbers were assigned to the cribs for convenience in evaluation and

tabulation of results.

The cribs and mattresses were evaluated for compliance with the

Proposed Regulation for Non-Standard Size Baby Cribs.

The assembly instructions and the retail cartons were also

evaluated for compliance.

Test Results

The results are presented and discussed with the assumption that

the reader is familiar with the requirements of the Proposed Regulation

(see Appendix)

.
- 2 -

The results of evaluation for compliance with proposed requirements

of §1509.3 through §1509.9 are given in Table 1. Those for evaluation

of the assembly instructions for compliance with §1509.10 are in Table 2.

Table 3 presents results obtained from evaluating the retail cartons and

cribs for compliance with §1509.11. No attempt was made to determine

whether the record keeping of the manufacturers or importers complies

with the requirements of §1509.12.

Crib Side Height (§1509.3 and §1509.9)

Except for crib No. 2, none of the cribs had adjustable crib side

heights. Crib No. 2 had a horizontally-hinged crib side that could be

either raised or lowered to give two different crib side heights. All

of the cribs met the 12.7 cm* minimum crib side height requirement of

^509. 3 (a). Cribs No. 1, 7, and 8, supplied without crib mattresses,

failed to meet the minimum crib side height requirement of §1509.3 (b)

and would not have met the requirement of §1509.9 (a) if they had been

supplied with crib mattresses. Cribs No. 4, 5, and 6, supplied with crib

mattresses, failed to meet the minimum crib side height requirement of

§1509.9 (a) and would not have met the requirement of §1509.3 (b) if

they had been supplied without crib mattresses. Cribs No. 2 and 3,

supplied with crib mattresses, met the minimum crib side height requirement of §1509 (a) and would have met the requirement of §1509.3 (b) if

they had been supplied without crib mattresses.

Spacing of Unit Components (§1509.4)

Some of the adjacent components of cribs No. 1 and 3 were farther

apart than 6.3 cm. "Block A" and "Block B" could both be passed freely

between them without using the loading wedge. Some components of crib

No. 2 were farther apart than 6.0 cm. "Block A" could be passed freely

between them. However, "Block B" could not be passed between any of the

adjacent components even when they were stressed with the loading wedge.

All of the adjacent components of crib No. 7 were spaced farther apart

than 6.3 cm. "Block A" and "Block B" could both be passed freely between

them without using the loading wedge. Cribs No. 4, 5, and 6 met the

requirements of §1509.4.

There were no openings in the sides or ends of crib No. 8. The

sides and ends are composed of an outer layer of tightly woven foldedpaper strips and string and an inner layer of cardboard.

Drawing a distinction between uniformly spaced and non-uniformly

spaced components does not appear to be useful. It is recommended that

all components should meet the requirements of §1509.4 (b)

.

Recommended SI Units are not used in the Proposed Regulation.
- 3 -

Hardware (§1509.7)

The latches of cribs No. 1, 2, 3, and 7 could pinch or crush a child's fingers when the latches were operated. Crib No. 2 had a horizontally hinged side. A child's hand or finger could be crushed if it

were caught in the decreasing clearance along the hinge line as the

crib side is raised. See figure 6. Cribs No. 4, 5, and 6 are swinging

cribs that have rigid sides and end panels. These cribs have no latching

devices accessible to a child in the crib. However, while cribs No. 5

and 6 are swinging, the clearance between moving and stationary parts

presents a crushing hazard. See figure 7,

A child holding on to the ends of cribs No. 1 and 2 or the sides

of cribs No. 3 and 7 near the latches or hinges and rocking to and fro

would be exposed to a pinching hazard brought about by the small variations in clearance between the adjacent crib components joined by the

latches or hinges. The metal mattress support rail of crib No. 3 had

burrs that presented a laceration hazard when the crib was used as a youth bed or when the side gate was open.

Cribs No. 4 and 8 had no hardware accessible to a child in the

crib, and appeared to offer no pinching, bruising, lacerating, crushing,

or amputating hazard.

The legs of crib No. 2 were adjustable in length. The four bolts

used to secure the adjustable legs at a selected length could be easily

unscrewed by hand. Plastic safety caps were supplied for placement over

the bolt heads that made unscrewing the bolts more difficult. With a safety cap in place, simultaneous push and twist forces were required in

order to unscrew the bolt. All of the plastic safety caps fractured and

three fell off during the first attempt to use them. See figure 8.

One of the latches of crib No. 1 could be released with one distinct

action and a force of less than 44.5 N (10 lb). Although the latches of

crib No. 3 were designed to be released by two distinct actions, one of

the latches could be released by only one distinct action and a force

of less than 44.5 N (10 lb), when pulled in a certain direction. The

latching devices on crib No. 7 required only one distinct motion and a force of less than 44.5 N (10 lb) to release.

The sides and ends of crib No. 8 do not require latching devices.

Cribs No. 4, 5, and 6 are swinging cribs with rigid sides and end

panels. These cribs have no latching devices for the sides or ends.

However, these cribs were designed with a locking device at each end

which could be secured in order to prevent the crib from swinging. The

locking devices, while inaccessible to a child in the crib, required a force of less than 9 N (2 lb) and only one distinct motion to release.

Although crib No. 4 was designed to have two locking devices, components

for only one device were found in the retail carton.
None of the cribs had woodscrews that would have to be removed

during the normal disassembly of the crib. However, crib No. 3 had

woodscrews with "one way" heads. This made it difficult to back out the screws that started improperly. Screws forced forward after starting

in a wrong direction can result in components that are insecurely

fastened or cracked.

Construction and Finishing (§1509.8)

Wooden splinters were found on the upper surface of crib No. 7.

The exposed ends of the strips used in the sides and ends of crib No. 8

made the upper surface of the crib sides and ends rough and jagged. The

wooden surfaces of the other cribs appeared to be smooth and free of

splinters.

Insertion of a woodscrew during the assembly of crib No. 1 caused a side rail to crack. See figure 9.

A wooden slat in the crib side of crib No. 6 was found to be cracked

when the crib was unpacked. See figure 10.

The bolt holes in the corner posts of crib No. 3 were too small for

the bolts provided. Assembly was accomplished by driving the bolts into

the holes with a hammer. This procedure seemed to have worked in this

case; however, forcing a bolt through an undersized hole in a component

can create a hazard by cracking or splitting the component. Also, the

bolt holes were not positioned in the corner posts to give the maximum

load bearing strength. See figure 11. After assembly, the lower edges

of the crib sides could not be fastened to the corner post at one end of

the crib. Consequently, each lower edge of the crib sides could be

pushed several inches away from the mattress support by a small horizontal

force. See figure 12.

Crib No. 5 could not be completely assembled because only one,

instead of the required two, threaded bushings designed to engage machine

screws had been embedded in one end of the "stretcher rail" and therefore

only one of the machine screws could be engaged to secure the upright

post to the "stretcher rail." See figure 13. The assembly drawing for

crib No. 5 indicates that several 2" (51 mm) machine screws are to be I used in assembling the crib, however, the longest screws included in the

retail carton were only 1 1/2" (38 ram) long. Crib No. 6, which is similar

to crib No. 5, could not be COTjpletely assembled because one pair of

machine screw holes, one in the crib end and one in the mattress support

rail, were too far out of alignment for the machine screw to enter both

of them. In the partially assembled state, a potentially hazardous gap

could be produced between the mattress support and crib side by a small

horizontal force. See figure 14.

Frequently, if machine screw holes in two different components are

not too far out of alignment, assembly of the components can be accomplished

by placing or forcing the machine screw through the misaligned holes and
- 5 -

then tightening the screw until the components are forced together. This

procedure seems to work in many cases, however, in some cases joining

components in this manner causes cracking or splitting of the components.

Cribs No. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 had maximum crib side heights, measured

from the upper surface of the mattress support to the upper surface of

the crib side, less than 40.6 cm. Therefore, these cribs did not meet

the requirement of §1509.8 (c) . Cribs No. 1, 2, and 3 met the requirement

of § 1509.8 (c)

.

Mattresses (§ 1509.9)

Cribs No. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 had maximum crib side heights,

measured from the upper surface of the mattress support to the upper

surface of the crib side, less than 50.8 cm. Therefore, the requirement

of § 1509,9 (a) could not have been met by any mattress no matter how thin

it was. None of the mattresses were greater than two inches (5.1 cm)

thick, so it appears that failure to meet the requirement of §1509.9 (a)

should be attributed to insufficient crib side height and not to an unreasonably thick mattress.

The mattresses for cribs No. 2 and 3 met the requirement of §1509. 9(a).

The possibility that a crib mattress might be thick enough to reduce

the vertical distance from the upper surface of the mattress to the upper

surface of the crib side or end panel to less than 12.7 cm with the

mattress support in its highest adjustable position and the crib side in

its lowest adjustable position should be covered by the requirements.

All of the crib mattresses met the dimension requirement of §1509. 9(b)

except the mattresses for crib No. 8. The mattress had rounded corners

that left a gap greater than 1.3 cm at each corner of the crib.

The Proposed Regulation has no requironents on the compressibility or minimum thickness of a mattress. Consideration should be given to the

inclusion of such requirements.

Assembly Instructions (§1509.10)

Cribs No. 1, 7, and 8 had no assembly instructions or diagrams. Only

cribs No. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 had an assembly drawing. Only crib No. 3 had

a list and description of all parts and tools required for assembly. Only

crib No. 3 had a full size diagram of the required bolts and other

fasteners. Only cribs No. 3, 5, and 6 had a cautionary statement con- cerning the secure tightening and maintaining of bolts and other fasteners.

Only crib No. 3 had a cautionary statement that when a child's height

reached 0.89 m (35 in), the child should be placed in a youth bed. Cribs

No. 2, 5, and 6 had cautionary statements concerning when a child should

be removed from the crib, but the 0.89 m (35 in) criterion was not mentioned. Crib No. 3 had a warning that specified the length, width, and
- 6 -

maximum thickness of a mattress to be used that would meet the requirements

of §1509. 9(b). However, there was no explanation of the substance and

intent of §1509.9. None of the other cribs had a warning relative to

mattress size.

Identifying Marks, Warning Statement, and Compliance Declaration (§1509.11)

Crib No. 2 had the name of the seller and a number on the underside

of the mattress support. The place of business of the seller was not

given. Crib No. 3 had the name and place of business of the manufacturer

as well as a model number and a lot number on the inside surface of an

end panel. None of the other cribs complied with any of the requirements

of §1509. 11 (a) (1) or §1509. 11 (a) (2) . Crib No. 3 had a warning relative

to mattress size on an inside surface of an end panel of the crib. None

of the other cribs had a warning statement.

The Proposed Requirements contain no test procedure for determining

whether markings meet requirement §1509. 11(c). However, the markings on cribs No. 2 and 3 appeared to be of a permanent nature and not readily

removable or subject to obliteration.

The retail cartons of cribs No. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 were marked

with the name and address of the manufacturer and seller. ZIP codes were

not included in the manufacturer's address on cartons No. 2 and 3 or the

seller's address on cartons for cribs No. 5 and 6. The cartons for cribs

No. 4 and 8 were marked with the name and address of the seller but not

with the manufacturer's name and address. The carton of each crib was marked with a string of numeric or alphanumeric characters that appeared

to be either a model number, stock number, catalog number, item number,

or article number. No attempt was made to determine whether the number

fulfilled the requirement of §1509 . 1 1 (a) (2) . Crib No. 3 bore a label

stating : "This crib conforms to Consumer Product Safety Commission

Regulations--Part §1508 . " However, crib No. 3 did not meet all of the

requirements. None of the other seven cribs and none of the eight cartons

bore a label stating that the crib conforms to applicable regulations

promulgated by the CPSC.

USCOMM NBS n(
3>

UJ

C 4-> a> to B ) a> c

^1 o 3

cr

a> o

0) Ok

V)

V> Ok « o U LO

•M ^

4-> un c 00 o c

•iH •M 00 o c

ru •Hc

Oko

x: o •l-t LO

4-> •iH

•i-l

J c

CO

r-l Co "S 3 CO o bO c a;

nj a:T3 d. a> E (/) Co

opo war u -0 o a. u LO

(4-1 a> Ha

V)o 4->

I/)

(/) *4-l 0) O •H

•*-> Ok

u

Mat Oko by 11XL

LO CO => (/) "S

•—t

03 4-* •<t

tin c

0) o <u Ok M c O

Vi oo •H

a

LO x> 3 C/3 c ^

•1-1 •H s un 2 o o u ar pa u

"0 to o Its an

4-> 4-> X (/> oe (U •H -> to CO

a> Ok u

0) o

T3 LO •H 1—1 CO <jn

4->

(/) •H CO u

u.

u. z: 2: u< u. u. u.

"—•(NtotrLOvor^oo

(/) • 0)

r-t 4-» C •M O CO6 cO XI

(/) H

f-i o

ct3 CU CO E-O 4-> o 3O ^ X O 4->

T3

0) 3 3

4.> 0 u c c 0

•H C4-i §

4-> •H <1> c 3 c 00

J cr •H •H c </) a> tfl e CO

4->

X

0) V) •H 4> 10 CO 3

cr v\ 0 •H u 4-> e

(/) tn 0) 0

•M •—1

4-> Z

(U •H r-t

(1> CO

X

SI u. 1/) •H •H

II II Th

u41 * 4t
Table 2. Evaluation of Crib Assembly Instructions 1/

Points of Evaluation as Listed in §1509.10

Crib

tif ication (1) (2) (3) (5) (6)

1 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/

2 M F F 3/ F 4/ F 3 M M M M M F

4 M F F U F F F

5 M F F I! M y F 6 M F F y M y F

7 y 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/

8*

I! 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/

M = Meets requirement.

F = Fails to meet requirement.

*This item is a bassinet, included for comparison only.

j_/ Although it is not a requirement, some instructions contained

warnings against refinishing the crib with toxic materials, using

furniture wax and polish, and using strong detergents to clean

surfaces accessible to a baby in the crib.

Ij No assembly instructions were provided.

V It is difficult to determine if the requirement is met because

some instructions or diagrams were difficult to understand.

£/ The cautionary statement does not refer to a child height of 0.89 i (35 in), but the assembly instructions state: "Manufacturer

recommends that child be put in youth bed or a twin bed when the

child is able to climb out of the crib."

The cautionary statements do not refer to a child height of 0.89 ra (35 in) but in general recommends that a child not be kept in the

cradle after he or she has outgrown it (started to crawl), and

that parental judgement be used in determining when a child has

outgrown a given size baby bed.
JO

at

9) *> o c c o

R) e H 0) ^ <-> CO s <-» O CO uc

•* o c J •M • H c ft e ^ eO

*-> o

Ui If) C (4-1 o C .O c

-o •H '—\ o u

3B a>

X

u

u 4-> <u s

(/) 3 ^ O*c

OO o C -H 4-> •H J c

>. c

(4-1 ^ e H rt c di

+-> c o CO

4-> CO

a>

<4-l o o c o ^ <N| *^ s ^—/

rt o OA 3 U C CO 1—t

•r-t X > C (4-1 UJ nJ •H

4J CO c /—\

a>

—t

-o /—

0) CO —t u

(JU

u. ^ CM 00

4-> c

0)a

r-i3

4-> cr c

(U

u e

0) *-> {h 9i •H 9> 3 G

CT

O

4->

!/) 1—( • H

O CO u.

II II oc CO >—

1—1

0) • > ato

lO

Ho

1—t

un

(4-1 o

4-) c w 0)

ctt

B

<DU

•H

H 3 n4 cr

*vtM. 0)

4-» -0 c <1> o I—t

1—4 o •H

(4-1 1—t T 3

>s (4-t r-4 (1 c o u o x> co c c

•H CO <u

COp- 4-» eoo 0)

1/)

ift o <u

^1 •T3 "9 ad 0>

f— 3 c O -H u c r-H 0)

•l-t •H 4-> CO 0) • s T3

4>> CO

O c 4-> O

(rt •T3 CO CO X) c e

CO (A

CO «« X

•H c

CO 4-> Pa> s E J o o

•H

y 4->

4-> < CO

-I
APPENDIX

Proposed Regulation for Non-Standard Size Baby Cribs.
S 1 509.1 Scoce of Part

^his part sets forth t}-.c requirer^nts v.hefcibi' non-stardard size baby

cribs as defined in § 1509.2, are not banned articles \.Tider 1500.18(a)

(14) of this chapter.

S 1509.2 Definitions

For the ourposes of this part:

(a) A crib is defined as a bed designed to provide sleeping

acccrrodaticns for an infant.

(b) A stzindard size baby crib is cafined as a crib (1) that is^.

intended for use in or around tlie hcrs/ for travel eind other recreational purposes, and (2) is v;ithJLn a range of + 5.1 centireters

^

(+ 2 inches) of interior length ^d Asldth dirensicns specified for ':

standard (full size) baby cribs in 16 CFR 1508.1(a) and 15S3.3. /

(c) A non-standard size baby crib is defined as a crib (1) th^t

is intended for use in the hcne, and (2) exceeds the tolerances for a

standard (full size) crib as defined in §150B.l(a) and 1508.3.

I-fesh/net or r^.-rigidly constructed baby cribs, cradles, car beds, baby

baskets and bassinets are not subject to the previsions in S1509. Ihe

folla.>rLng classes of baby cribs are incl'juied in the definition of a nonstandard size baby crib:

(1) Portable Cribs - a non-standard size baby crib designed sz

that it ^^^y be folded or collapsed v-dthout disasserrbly to

occupy a volizrc s'jbstantially 1?l3 than the voluro. it

ocojpics v;han it is used.

(2) Crib-Pc^n - a ncn-strr;'^ard size brbry crib, the legs of which

r^y to rcrovei cr adj.isted to provide a p^ey pen or play

yard for a child.
(3) Specialty Crib - a non-ccn\entic::ally shaped (circular,'-

hexagcnal, etc,) ncn-stcir.c'.ard size r-jiy crib '-tric-^rpt?r:j£ir^

a special iriittross or other non-ccn'/enticnal crrponents.

§ 1509.3 Crib-oida heicrht.

Ndn-standard size baby cribs; sh.all reet the follc?/;ir.g requirerrejits

if^ot supplied vdth a rattress. ^cc /- 7 '"^ r,^-;* /»--.> p'-*- cr.l^ ^^//^

(a) v:ith the rattress support in its highest adjustcsble positlcn

and the crib-side in its Iciest adjustable position, the vertical distance frcm the upper s'-irface of tha rattress S'jpcort to the upper

surface of the crib-side and/or end pa.nel shall not ba less thjan

12.7 centiireters (5 inches),

Ct>) - V?ith the irattress sipport in its Ic.est adjustable position

and crib-side in its highest adjustable pc^iticn, the vf^rtical distance

fra:n the upper s'jirface of the rrattress support to th:e upper surface of

th^ crib side and/or end panel shall not bn Itss th-an 55.9 centir-eters

(22 inches).

S 1509.4 Sracin? of init cc:r:Dcr.ents

(a) Uniforr'ly-sr:acG?d ccr'ccn.on -s . 1?ie distance betr.-.-een adjacent,

uniforrly-spaced ccrponents (sue:'; as slats, spindles, a:^.d/or comer

posts) sh£:ll not be greater than 6 centineters (2-2/3 iriches) . Ti-.£i

distance bet-.reen any r.uch adjao3nt ocrponents shall not er'ceed 6.3

centireters (2-1/2 ii^ches) at any rrcint w>.sn s'^jactsd to the test

procedure specified in § lSO?.r>(:»).

Cb) (1) r—'j"ii^crr'lv-f<-r^c>'? ccrrx^p^-nts . 'Tiie dist?nco bet.:ee:i

sdjacent nc.n-unifomly-sp.icc.d ccr~oncnts (su.h as slat-, spindles,

andy'or cciT.^r po:;ts) shall prcclv-r-:; psssa-^s of 'hlc specifi-.o

ii\ % 1505.5(b), '.vl'ien inserLcd in iiny oricntaticn.
(2) Tl-ie spacing bet'-.'aen cny such adjacent ccrpor.ents shall

preclur-e passage cf "block r," specified ir. 51509.5 (c), when inserted

in ariy orientation inrrac'iatoly abov3 and helc.>/ the leading wedge,

specified in 1509.5(a), v/nile the ccrTonsnts are being s\±>jectcd to

the test procsd'jre specified in S1509.6(a).

S 1509.5 Cc.-2onent scacinq test aooaratus .

(a) Loading v.e<?.a3 . Tne loading wedge slmll be a right triangular

prism ccnstri-ctsd of a srcoth rigid nateigial ccnforn'ing to reasurerents

shCTvn in figure 1.

(bj "Block A" ; "Blcd^ A" shall be a rectangular block constructed

of a srocth rigid raterial, reasuring 6 centirsters v.'ide by 10 cer.timsters high by 10 centireters long (2-3/8 inches vdde by 4 inches high

by A inches long)

.

(c) "Block E" ; "Block B" shall be a rectangular blcck constructed

of a s.Tiooth rigid raterial, rieasuring 6.3 centireters vide hy 8.2

centiireters high by 8.2 centireters long (2-1/2 inches vrice by 3-a/4

inches high by 3-1/4 inches long)

.

S1509.6 Corozr.ent z^cir.r: test rethod.

(a) The apax of the wedge (see cl5C9. 6''(:?.) ) shall be placed rid-.-ay

bet'.-.-^cn t'.-o \-ertical ccrpcn£.nts and rid'/.-?.y betr-.-een the i::pp-er and Icv.^-

irost horizcntal s'.nfaces cf tlve side. A 9 kiiogrz.T'. (20 pcjnds) tensile

force rhall be acplicd to the vec'ge pcrpzrdiculcir to the plane of the

crib-side

.

S ISC'"?. 7 I'T-r-nre .

(a) T;.e hara.'-nro inA.-i iton-st'Hi"'-''3rc. IPvby crib rlu-jll he dc-^signe-d

grd rcnJtTJCu^d to-t.

'.lirij i ate pinch.'ng, bonn.'T.g, It :-"»rat:-i\g, cr<.'.-hL':7,

rjtputating <r.C</or cU.cr [-oteiitinls for i.nj'jr'y.

- 3

-
(b) Ken-standard si22 babv* crihs st"iall incorporats locking or

latchijig c'^ovicss for fol-Jirg sides or end panels. Trase cs'.dccs shall

req'iiire either a rrininran force of 1.5, kilcgrs-TS (10 pounds) for

activation or at least 2 distinct actions, to release thot^.

(c) Woodscrs-A's shall not be used in the asLer-bly of any ccrrponsn

that rnust be reno-^ by the consuirer in th.e nonral disasserbly of a

non-standard size crib.

S 1509.8 'Ccnstr'.:ction and finishing .

(a) All wocd surfaces shall be snx?*th and free frcn splinters.

(b) Pll vood parts shall be free frcm splints and cracks or

other defects v.^.ich right lead to structural fail'jre.

(c) Ends and sides of non-standard size baby cribs shcill hax-a

rvo horizontal bar, ledce, projection or ctl:er surface accessible to

the child inzide the crib capable cf being used as a tc^.cld (any

ledge or projection v.'ith a depth dii.oiisicn creater th.rr^ 1 centireter

(3/8 inch) located less than 4C.6 cantineters (15 inches) above the.

rattress supT:o.rt in its lcv:est position v.hen the crib-side is in its

highest position)

.

S 1509.9 rattres.-s^.s

(a) r-'attross thic'-nc-GS . A rrettress supplied with, or intended

for, a ncn-standard size leb;/ crib shjsli , in a ncn-ccrrpressed state,

have a thidTiass v.tiich v.lll provide a rdnir:::?. effective crib-side

height dirensicn of at least 50.8 cantir.etcr3 {22 ir.ches; as ireasured

frcT. the upper surfe.3e of the riattross to the upper surface of th^

crib-3ice ?nd/cr end panel. For this ir^ras'jLrer^nt, tlie crih-side sha-11

be in its liichest adjust^^ble tx:.-:itien r-nd t-:e rattraK.^; support in its

Ic.vest adj'j:;table xjcaoticn.
(b) Matti-ess dir'LT.sicn , Tns c'l-Tensions of a F3ttress supplied

with (or intejic';=c?. for) a nor.-stiina-ircl size ba'jy cri}j s'.-zll be such

that the rattrsss, in a ncn-corpressed stntc, vhen insErted into the

crib at any cf the adjustable pcsiticns of the rattress support shall

not leave a cap of rare than 1.3 centirret^rs (1/2 inch) ber.:een the perineter of the rattress and th£ parireter cf the crib.

S 1509.10 T'Sserblv ir.structicns .

(a) Unasserbled ncn-standard size baby cribs shall be accc.-:panied

by detailed ir.structicr^ . Ihe instructicrs shall:

(1) Include an asserbly dravina;

(2) Lncl'jde a list and description cf all parts and tccls

required for asserbly;

(3) Include a full size diagriJin of U*; reqidred Jxilts and ct>;er

fasteners

;

(4) Fe so v.-ritten th^t an unskilled lav—an shculd be able to

asseirble the crib vdth^ut raking errcrs ti-iat v.^culd result- in ir^rcper

and laisofe asserrbly;

(5) Include cautionary statcrsnts ccr.ceming the secure tightenir-g

and iraintairJp.g of bolts and ether fasteners;

(6) Contain a cautionary statement th^t when a child's height

reaches 35 inches, the d'lild should be pieced in a ycutii bed; and

(7) Contain a v.-aminq relcitive to r jittrcss size for th.e n3n-stcnd=r

size baby crib v.hich e::plains tl'.e rvbst rr.cc' and intent of 51509.9.

S15C9 . 3

?

I'"en iif\^ir.r rar^ts, v,'.imii'»rT statcrrrt, and cr-^liance decl-jLT'tticr.

(r.) .Ml r.on-=-- •?ndard bz^r/ cribs rh^.ll he clrtzrly r.^jrkcd to

irOicr.te

.

- 5

-
(1) the nare and place of business (city, and state) of the

ranufoCtiiTfir/ ii-porter, distributer or.Vcr seller; ar.c

(2) a Trowel r.'jrber, stook pArrber, catalog n'.r-bsr, iteTi nunrher,

or cthor si-rbol e>pressed r.u-T^-ically, in coca or ether.v^ise, such that

cnly cribs of identical ccnstrucrticr., cci^position , ar.d dimensions s'lall

bear identical rarkincs.

(b) Ttie follc^-.'ing warning shall appear on an inside surface of

the crib in a type size of at least. 1/3 inch.

(1) For rectcu^ci^ilar cribs

CrMJTia^

My rrattrsss used in this crib rrust be least

inches long b^' inches wide and not exceed

inches thid-i. (Dir^nsicns clic5£.-i to

cortply with 1509.9(a) and (b)

.

(2) For non-rectanc-aliir cribs

Ched: prcper fit of rattress

* Min^jrnun inches thicJ: (thidr.ezs to ccrply

v/ith 1509.9 (a)

.

® One~h^f inch iraxiirun cap betv.'sen rattress and

insi.ce of crib border (or edga)

.

Ihe dirv^nsicns to be inserted in the blan?;s shrill be deteminec b\'

tlie mnufact^jrar according -co t]-c prc^'isic-.s of riSOr.9. The rar3:ir.g

shcill app23r in bled: letters, s!:?.!! contrast sharply \;ith the badcgroi-nd (b\' color, proj^cticn, ar.e./cr ir.clrntsticn) , ar:d s*iall be

cle."v]y vici-;la and L-^rjiblo.

- C -
(c) Markirics on non-str^r-dzird size hahy cribs shall be of a penr-^r.ent

nature v/hether prJ.nt-ster)ciled, cis-staTOd, rolC-id, or ir.celibly

starped directly thereon or porrar.er.tly affi--.ed, fastor.ed, or attach2c:

thereto by neans of a tag, token, or other suitable redlim. The rar'cinas

shall not be readily rencvable or S'jbject to obliteration curL-ig norr-1

use of the article or v;hen the article is subjected to reasonably

foreseeable dcurace or abuse.

(d) The retail cartons of ncri-standard size baby cribs shall

clearly indicate:

(1) Th^ ncjre and place of business (railing address including ZI?

code) of the rranufacturer, L-.pcrter, distrib'rtcr, and/or seller; and

the rodel nu:±;er, stock nurrber, catalog nurbar, ite:?. nuirber, or other

syrbol desqribad in paragraph (a) (2) of t-his strcticn.

(e) All non-standard size bs^r/ cribs .:-jid their retail cartcns shjill

bear a conspicuous label stating ti^iat the crib ccnfo=-'3 to applicable

regulations prcT:J.gated by the Ccns'^er Product Safafy Ccn—issicn. Tr3

label need not be perrrenantly attc-ched to th^e crib, nor is any

peirtiooJar v.-oroing required for the staterent. Th3 label on the crib

inust be conspicuous und^Br norral ccrriticnc of retail display. 7H

ron-standard sire, hal-ry cribs ii:trcdv.c.::d into inte-:state correi-ce fcr a

period of tr-.o years after tha effective date of the final order rust

bear tliis label.

S 1509.12 • -h-^eoinr?

Tne ranufaciiijrar or iroorter shall keer* and raintain for th^ee years

aft-?r prr<.1uccicn or irpcrtat: cn cf •:3cl-i lot or other idi^ntifying unit

of criJ.'3, rGCv:>r'*i' of n.O.-! cz.6 ci5-tributicn. •n-cna rcccrcs shall be

rade available v_|>->n rt'qurst at rcascncble tiiros to any officer, erploi--^^

i - 7 -
or agent acting on behalf of ths Consurer Product S^X-ety CcnTnissicn.

The iran'^acturer'or inportGr shall perrit such officar, erployee or

agent to inspect end ccpy such records, .to rrcCie such inventories of

stock as he deerrs necesszry, and to othar.visa verify' the accuracy of

such records.

Effective date. I^iis order shall beccrre effective .

(Sees. 2(f) (1) (D), 2(g) (1) (A), 2 (s) , 3(e) (1), 10(a), 74 Stat. 372, 374,

375, 331, as aitiencsd, 80 Stat. 13C4-13CS. 33 Stat. 1"7-139 (15 U.5.C. 1261,

1262, 1269).

Dated:

Sadye Dinn, Secretary

Cccisun^r Product Safety Carr»ission
y-<u0o
U

01

b


Figure 1

Crib No. 1 (top) and crib No. 2 (bottom) were assembled

from components. A crib mattress was purchased separately

for No. 1, and supplied by the manufacturer for No. 2.
Figure 2

Crib No. 3 (top) and crib No. 4 (bottom) were assembled

from components. A crib mattress was supplied for each

crib by the manufacturer.
Figure 3

Crib No. 5, This crib was assembled from components. A

crib mattress was supplied with the crib.

Cribs No. 5 and 6 are of the same model.

Figure 4

Crib No. 7. This crib was erected from preassembled

components folded to fit into a retail carton.

This crib was designed for use without a crib mattress.
Figure 5

Crib No. 8. This bassinet was erected from preassembled

components folded to fit into a retail carton.

The canopy, supplied separately in the carton,

could be attached and removed without using

tools. A mattress was purchased separately.

)
Figure 7. Hazardous clearance between stationary and

movable components of crib No. 5. Cribs

No. 5 and 6 are of the same model.
The plastic safety cap on the left leg-lengthadjustment bolt of crib No. 2 is fractured.

The other three plastic caps fractured and fell

apart when used for the first time.
Figure 9. A crack in a wooden side rail of crib No. 1.

This crack occurred when the woodscrew was inserted during assembly.

Figure 10. Cracked wooden slat found when the components

of crib No. 6 were unpacked.
Figure 11. Note the positions of the bolts in the

corner post of crib No. 3. If the bolt

holes had been placed closer to the vertical

axis of the corner post, the structure

would have had greater load bearing

strength.
Figure 12. Upon assembly, the lower edge of the crib

side of crib No. 3 could not be secured to

the corner post. A gap could be produced

between the mattress support and the lower

edge of the crib side by a small horizontal

force.
Figure 13. Crib No. 5 could not be completely assembled.

A threaded bushing designed to engage the

machine screw was missing from the stretcher

rail

.

Figure 14. Gap between the mattress support and the

crib side of crib No. 6 produced by a small

horizontal force. The mattress support and

crib end could not be joined because of

screw hole misalignment.

J
NBS-IMA (»tv

U S OEPT OF COMM

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET NBSIR 75-714

2. ("ov't Ai tt ssion

No.

3. R<'( ipirni's Actf -ssKin No,

4. in 1 1 si M l 11 11

KCpOlL OI ICoL oil a OoJiipiC Ul IiUli~ O LdllUa 1

U

Size Baby Cribs

5. Publ It at ion Dat < June 1975

446.04

7. AU 1 ||()K(S) R Pierson, Jr.; R.I. Beall; J. A. Huckeba

8. I'crtiirming Or^an. Kipori No.

9. PKRl (<KMINC, OKliANI/A 1 ION NAM! AND ADOKI SS NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. l'ro|<ii/ Task /Work Unir No. 4462517

11. < onlrac ( /Cirani No.

IV 'Nri..ii...>rinn 1 \r i> >(iiy.i(t.>n \I t mI • 1 n 1 1 1 i \ mr\l A.i.lrfwk. / \ 1 9 t t » §\j SfjdfA ^ / ^ Consumer Product Safety Commission

5401 Westbard Avenue

Bethesda, MD 20016

13. 1 yp<- of Report Si I'friod

( overt d Final

14. Spt)nsorin^ Aj>ini.y ( odt

15. SUI^PI.I MI NI AKY NOU S

16. AHS1 KA( I (A 200-word or less tactual summary ol moat si^fiiin ani miormalion II documtsnt includes a signilicant

bi bl laHraphy or literature survey, mention it here.)

A sample of non-standard size baby cribs was tested for compliance with the

Consumer Product Safety Commission's Proposed Regulation for Non-Standard Size

Baby Cribs in order to evaluate the Proposed Regulation, especially the tests

and test procedures. The test procedures were found to be easy to interpret and

to carry out. This report presents the results obtained from testing the cribs

for compliance with the Proposed Regulation, a detailed description of some of

the hazards, and some evaluative comments on the Proposed Regulation.

17. KKV WORDS fi/x to twelve entries, alphabetic al order, c apital i ze only the lirst letter ol the lirst key word unless a proper name, separated by semicolons

)

Baby cribs; children's furniture; product safety; product testing;

safety regulations; standard development

18. AVAII.AIUI I I V ;X I'niimiiecl

'^ f or Official Distribution. Do Not Kt-lease to NTIS

Order !• ron> Sup. of Doc, I'.S. Cmvernmcnt Hrintinj? Office

Wa.shinKton. D.( . 20402. SI) ( at. No. < 13

Order I'rom National Technical Information Service (Nllst

^>prin^!f leld, Virj^inia 22l''l

19. seci;rity class

(this report)

unci. assiuko

21. NO. Ol" P AGFS

31

20. sF( LRITY ( LASS

! 1 MIS PAGE)

I Nf I.ASSIEIKD

22. Price

$3.75

USCOMM-OC 29042-P74