Standard places focus on importance of hotel crib safety
WEHSCO, a division of Mantua Mfg., is pleased to announce that its commercial cribs have been certified to pass the new ASTM F2710-08 performance standard for commercial cribs.
According to Barnet Kessel, Vice President of WEHSCO, 'The stringent new ASTM Commercial Crib Safety Standard recognizes that hotel cribs need to be safer and stronger than those designed for residential use, because of inherent usage differences and liability issues. A home crib is generally assembled once and rarely moved. On the other hand, a hotel crib is subject to intense wear and tear with assembly, disassembly, movement and other factors generally associated with each use. In addition, the liability exposure to a hotel is infinite.'
WEHSCO's unique metal folding commercial baby crib continues to lead the industry worldwide in safety and durability. The company stands alone with its perfect safety record and 'Made in the USA' manufacturing practices. It has met the new ASTM performance standard with no changes in design, materials or production.
The new ASTM Commercial Crib Safety Standard sets a revolutionary benchmark for manufacturers, distributors and users of hotel, rental and child care cribs. The three parts of the Standard are as follows:
1. Static Load - The crib must be able to withstand a very significant amount of weight (475 lbs. for a full-size, 27' x 54' crib and 300 lbs. for a non-full size, 22' x 44' crib) distributed equally and evenly at 5 locations inside the crib.
2. Threshold Test - The crib must be able to withstand repeated movement (500 times) back and forth across a threshold gap (1' wide and 1.25' deep) while assembled and heavily loaded (180 lbs.), simulating use and movement in the commercial environment (e.g. repeated movement in and out of elevators and/or exterior doorways).
3. Drop Side Test - This test, for cribs with side rails, repeatedly (500 times) unlatches and drops the crib side rail with a 30 lb. weight attached to simulate excessive use of the drop side rail in the commercial environment.
'When it comes to cribs, safety has to finally become a hotel's top priority. Although the new standard is currently voluntary, it establishes an excellent criterion to evaluate cribs that will protect not only the hotel's youngest guests but also the hotels themselves,' according to Kessel.
While not legally binding at the current time, it would be wise for hotels to follow this new standard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been and remains interested in crib safety both in homes and commercial settings, such as hotels, child care facilities and rental markets.
Further information is available at www.astm.org, www.cpsc.gov, and from trusted industry partners.
About WEHSCO
WEHSCO, a division of Mantua Mfg., manufactures and distributes an outstanding line of folding roll-a-way beds for both retail and commercial applications. Started in 1908, the company also offers a complete line of metal bed frames, bed rails and bed bases as well as hi-risers, day beds, institutional bunk beds, laundry carts and garment racks. All WEHSCO products are manufactured domestically to the highest standards of quality.
About Mantua Mfg. Co.
Since 1952, Mantua Mfg. Co. has been the innovator of quality bed frames and accessories. Family owned and operated since its inception, Mantua serves customers in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean basin. With five manufacturing plants and multiple warehouse locations, Mantua is ideally suited to serve both the largest national chains and the smallest individual retail stores. Mantua is also a major supplier to the hospitality industry with a full complement of products for hotels. As manufacturer of the Sealy Posturepedic(R) bed frame, Mantua's reputation for personal service, efficiency, quality and integrity remains its foremost priority. For additional information, visit www.bedframes.com.
