Assembling BUnk Beds
Most bunk bed instructions will tell you that two people are required to assemble bunk beds. You are usually directed to build the two beds side by side and lift one on top of the other. This is where the second person comes in. There are two issues with this:-
- Two people are required
- Bunk beds are often used where space is rstricted and there is little room to stand them side by side.
However this approach is wholly unnecessary. The way to proceed is to build the lower bunk but do not put the slats in yet. Once the main rectangular frame is built, you can start the upper bunk. Fix both ends on top of the lower bunk. All you then need to do is fix the sides on.
Two people can help here but if you are careful and thoughtful this is not necessary. Start with the side nearest the wall. Simply position the two long bolts for one end in one bed end so they are protruding and put the two for the other end in your back pocket. Secondly lift the side peice into place and hold/balance it horizontally with one hand whilst pushing the bolts into place (do not tighten them yet). Use these two bolts to rest one end whilst you fix the bolts from your pocket with the barrel nuts at the other end. Just screw them finger tight and repeat at the first end.
The side should now be secure in as much that it cannot come off, ut still loosen enough for some movement so you can fix the other side on.
Once you have fixed the second side f the upper bunk, you can then tighten all eight barrel nuts and bolts. Now you can fit the slat start with the lower ones first and then the uppoer ones. These wil either be strung together or individual with two wooden blocks supplied to help you space them.
Warning Upper Bunk Slats
When you are fitting the slat to the bunks, you need to ensure the slats on the upper bunk are fitted flush with the head board and foot board. This is to prevent a small child from slipping down any gap and hurting themselves fatally. Therefore more slats are required for the upper bunk. Some manufacturers of beds in order to cut costs, provide one or two fewer slats for the lower bunk. Additionally and for similar reasons all of the slats on the upper bunk should be screwed down.
Flat Pack Blog
Sunday, February 6th, 2011
Whether it is a bunk bed or loft bed, it is important to heed the warnings on the instructions. If you do not attach the slats properly to the upper bunk your child can suffer serious injury. The following two things have been identified:-
- The slats must all be fastened down on the top or raised bunk. On a normal bed the slats are often strung together and fastened down at six anchor point. If the slats fall through the bed you only have 12 inches to fall so no issue. If you are on the top bunk, such a fall could cause a serious injury, especially considering the way the slats might move and trap an unlucky child.
- Slat must be placed right up to the head and foot boards on the upper bunk. Again an unlucky child could slip and get trapped in a seriously uncomfortable or fatal position.
The chances of these two things happening are increased during play and therefore it is imperative that bunk beds and loft beds are assembled correctly.
