BRITISH STANDARD BS EN 14988 2 2006 Children’s high chairs — Part 2 Test methods The European Standard EN 14988 2 2006 has the status of a British Standard ICS 97 140; 97 190 BS EN 14988 2 2006 +A1 20[.]
Preliminary preparation
!The tests are designed to be applied to a high chair that is fully assembled according to manufacturer’s instructions and ready for use
Products that can be transformed into other items outside the scope of this standard, such as tables, small chairs, adult chairs, swings, and booster seats, are not required to undergo testing according to this standard.
Tests must be conducted in indoor conditions with temperatures maintained between 15° C and 25° C Any temperatures outside this range should be documented in the test report, including both maximum and minimum values.
The high chair must be tested in its delivered state, and if it is a knock-down model, it should be assembled following the provided instructions In cases where the instructions permit various adjustments or configurations, such as backrest inclination, seat height, tray position, and wheel placement, the most demanding combination should be utilized for testing.
Knock-down fittings shall be tightened before testing Further re-tightening shall not take place unless this is specifically required by the manufacturer’s instructions."
Determination of the junction line
The junction line is shown in Figure 1 below
Where the backrest and the seat do not meet, the junction line is the projection of the backrest onto the seat (see Figure 1)
When the seat unit resembles a hammock, a theoretical junction line, referred to as "LL," is established, as illustrated in Figure 2 This junction line can change based on the various positions of the backrest adjustment.
AA top edge of the backrest
BB front edge of the seat
CL vertical projection of C on the hammock
Figure 2 — Junction line for seat units in form of a hammock""""
Test sequence
All tests must be conducted on a single sample and follow the specified order in EN 14988, with the exception of the test in section 6.9, which should be performed after completing the entire testing procedure.
Tolerances
Unless otherwise stated, the following tolerances apply:
Positioning of loading pads: ± 5 mm
The forces may be replaced by masses The relationship of 10 N = 1 Kg shall be used
General
Unless otherwise specified, test forces may be applied by any suitable device because results are dependent only upon correctly applied forces and not upon the apparatus
The test forces in the static load tests shall be applied sufficiently slowly to ensure that negligible dynamic forces are applied.
Test dummy
A rigid cylinder with a diameter of 200 mm and a height of 300 mm has a mass of 15 kg, with its center of gravity located 150 mm above the base The cylinder features rounded edges with a radius of 5 mm Additionally, two safety harness anchorage points are included, positioned 150 mm from the base and spaced 180° apart around the circumference.
Impact hammer
A cylindrical striker weighing 6.5 kg is supported by a steel tube with a diameter of 38 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm The center of gravity of the striker is located 1000 mm from the pivot point, and the pendulum arm is designed to pivot using a low-friction bearing.
1 Pendulum head, steel mass 6,4 kg
4 Pendulum arm, length 950 mm; high tensile steel tube ∅ 38 x 2 mm; mass 2 kg ± 0,2 kg
Mass of assembly (Pos No 1,2 and 3): 6,5 kg ± 0,07 kg
Loading pad
A rigid cylindrical object 100 mm in diameter having a smooth hard surface and rounded edges with radius of
Small loading pad
A rigid cylindrical object 30 mm in diameter and at least 10 mm in thickness having a smooth hard surface and rounded edges with radius of (0,8 ± 0,3) mm."
Stops
To prevent the article from sliding without tilting, stops should not exceed 12 mm in height, unless the item's design requires taller stops In such cases, the lowest effective stops that prevent movement must be utilized.
Floor surface
Horizontal, flat and rigid plane with a smooth surface For the tests according to 6.2 and 6.18.3 a rubber mat
2 mm thick, with hardness (75 ± 10) IRHD according to EN ISO 868, ISO 7619-1 or ISO 7619-2, shall be used on a concrete floor "
Beams
Beam for stability test and for measurement of the lateral protection length
A beam, not less than 900 mm long, with a square section of (25 ± 1) mm x (25 ± 1) mm and with a mass of 0,5 kg ± 10 g
NOTE An aluminium beam with a square section of 25 mm x 25 mm, with a length of approximately 1 020 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm complies with these requirements."
Beam for height of lateral protection test
A beam, 86 mm wide with a mass of 0,5 kg ± 10 g.
Slide gauges
The article discusses the specifications for cones with an angle of 30° ± 0.5°, constructed from plastic or other rigid, smooth materials, which are to be attached to a force measuring device It specifies that there should be four cones with diameters of 5 mm (± 0.1 mm) and 7 mm.
− mm, 12 mm 0 + 0,1 mm and 18 mm 0 + 0,1 mm
!Figure 5"""" — Example of slide gauges
Force-measuring device
Test load
Cylinder of 5 kg mass and 100 mm diameter.
Small parts cylinder
Small parts cylinder for assessment of small components, having dimensions in accordance with !Figure 6"
Small torso probe
The small torso probe shall be made from plastics or other hard, smooth material with dimensions as shown in !Figure 7"
Device for measuring the angle, the length and the height of the back rest and the height
height of the lateral protection
2 Base board: 9 mm plywood or hardwood
3 Allowed cut-off for crotch restraint
4 Measuring device - reclining board : 30 mm × 12 mm hardwood
Pivot pin : 5 mm × 60 mm steel or other hard material
!Figure 8"""" — Device for measuring the back rest angle, length and height
L Length of the back rest
H Height of the back rest
!Figure 9"""" — Measurement of the back rest angle, length and height
Leg probe
A cylindrical probe with a diameter of 38 mm and a length of at least 76 mm.
Wedge block
A block with smooth surfaces and with dimensions according to Figure 10, made of hard, smooth material
General
Before beginning the tests, visually inspect the high chair thoroughly Record defects so that they are not assumed to have been caused by the tests.
Impact test
!The high chair shall be placed in the normal position of use on the floor surface (5.7) with the legs against stops (5.6) opposite to the direction of the force
Adjust the impact hammer to drop from a height of 116 mm, ensuring it strikes the structure at the impact point when the hammer's arm is in a vertical position.
The impact hammer shall strike, from the outside, the centre of the uppermost point of the back, the front, and both lateral protections
If the high chair overturns during the test, it shall be allowed to fall freely on the floor surface (5.7)
Repeat the test on the backrest only from the inside of the high chair in the same manner as above
The test shall be carried out for a total of 10 times at each point."
Durability of the locking mechanism
Operate any locking or attachment mechanism 300 times
Before and after carrying out the test, measure the force required to operate the mechanism.
Strength of the locking mechanism
Place the high chair on the floor with the test dummy (5.2) in the centre of the seat
Apply a force of 200 N at the point and in the direction considered most likely to fold the high chair
If the high chair tends to tilt secure it in a manner which does not prevent the folding
Record whether the high chair collapses.
Small parts
Apply a tensile force to the component to be tested through a clamp or other suitable means The force shall be:
50 N where the largest accessible dimension of the component is less than or equal to 6mm
90 N where the largest accessible dimension of the component is greater than 6 mm
Apply the force gradually over 5 s and maintain for 10 s If the component has become detached, check whether the component fits wholly within the cylinder !(5.12)".
Openings
Openings between moving parts
Check if the 5 mm slide gauge penetrates the gap with a force of no more than 30 N
If the 5 mm slide gauge penetrates check whether the 18 mm slide gauge !(5.9)" with an applied force of up to 5 N, penetrates the gap.
Other openings
Verify if the 7 mm slide gauge, when subjected to a force of up to 30 N, can penetrate 10 mm or more into any accessible opening from any direction If the gauge does enter 10 mm or more, proceed to conduct further checks.
12 mm slide gauge enters 10 mm or more with an applied force of up to 5 N
Check whether the opening/closing distance is always less than 5 mm If greater than 5 mm, check whether the opening/closing distance is less than 12 mm under a force of 50 N
Verify if the small torso probe (5.13), when subjected to a force of up to 30 N, can fit into any accessible openings positioned above the seat The probe must be inserted straight along its longitudinal axis.
Strength of harness/belt attachment points
To ensure safety and stability, apply a force of 150 N to each harness or belt attachment point of the high chair, maintaining this force for 1 minute after gradually reaching it within 5 seconds, with the seat fixed in an upright position.
Strength of components of the restraint system
Gradually apply a force of 150 N within 5 s to each component of the restraint system, in turn, and maintain it for 1 min in the direction most likely to cause failure."
Slippage of straps of the restraint system
Remove approximately 125 mm of the restraint system on both sides of the adjustment system from the product
Fix one of the ends that was fixed to the high chair to a clamping device in such a way that the strap and the adjustment system hang freely
The distance between the clamping device and the point at which the force is applied shall be approximately
200 mm The adjustment system shall be approximately in the middle point between the clamping device and the point to which the force is applied
Apply a force to the other end that was fixed to the high chair as described below
The strap shall be under tension in the same way it is intended when the restraint system is in use
Gradually apply a force of 10 N within 5 s to the strap and keep it for (10 ± 1) s
Draw a line across the width of strap flush with the adjustment system Other means of establishing the measurement are also accepted
Gradually apply a force of 150 N within 5 s to the strap and keep it for (60 ± 2) s
Draw a line across the width of the strap in the same manner as mentioned above (on the same side of the adjustment system)
Remove the strap from the adjustment system Measure the distance between the centre of the two lines drawn flush with the adjustment system
Record this distance as the slippage."
Back rest tests
Determination of back rest angle
To measure the angle accurately, place the measuring device on the centerline of the high chair seat, as close to the backrest as possible Position the test dummy centrally on the baseboard, ensuring the reclining board is securely against the backrest, as illustrated in Figure 9.
Record the back rest angle as the angle between the reclining board and the horizontal."
Determination of back rest height
Position the device depicted in Figure 8 at the centerline of the high chair seat, ensuring it is placed as far back as possible Next, place the test dummy centrally on the base board, as illustrated in Figure 9 Measure the vertical distance from the top of the backrest to the seat surface and document the height of the backrest.
Determination of length of reclinable back rest
Place the device depicted in Figure 8 at the centerline of the high chair seat, positioning it as far back as possible Position the test dummy centrally on the base board, as illustrated in Figure 9, ensuring that the reclining board is securely against the backrest Finally, measure the length of the backrest as indicated in Figure 9.
Record the length of the back rest.
Strength of reclinable back rest mechanism
To ensure optimal support, adjust the backrest to the midpoint of its range or to the most upright position if it has only two settings With the high chair's base firmly secured to the floor, apply a rearward force of 100 N perpendicular to the center of the backrest at the designated loading pad (5.4).
50 mm below its top edge for 1h.
Seat vertical static load test
To test the high chair's stability, position a 40 kg mass over a 150 mm x 150 mm area at the center of the seat and maintain this load for 1 minute Next, lift the high chair by its lateral protection until it is clear of the floor, keeping it elevated for another minute before removing the load.
Footrest vertical static load test
Position a mass of 20 kg, distributed over an area of 75 mm x 150 mm on the centre of the footrest Maintain the load for 1 min Remove the load
Lateral protection measurements
Determination of lateral protection height
Position the test load (5.11) on the centreline of the seat with an edge in contact with the junction line
Position the beam (5.8.2) across the lateral protections with the 86 mm side in a horizontal position
Measure the minimum height of the lateral protections as the vertical distance between the under surface of the beam and the under surface of the test cylinder (see Figure 12)
Not flat lateral protection Horizontal lateral protection Inclined lateral protection
3 length of the lateral protection h lateral protection height
Determination of lateral protection length
This test method applies only to high chairs fitted with active restraint system
Position the beam (5.8.1) horizontally with one edge in contact with the front of the lateral protection
When lateral protections vary in height, the test beam must be positioned at a point where the height measures at least 140 mm, as specified in section 6.13.1.
Check if the vertical projection of the edge of the beam in contact with the lateral protection falls outside the area between the crotch strap and the backrest
Measure the maximum horizontal distance from the centre of uncompressed backrest to the beam, parallel to the centreline of the seat (see Figure 13)
Record this distance as the length of the lateral protections
5 test beam (5.8.1) d length of lateral protection
Figure 13 — Measurement of the length of lateral protection
6 test beam (5.8.1) d length of lateral protection
Figure 14 — Measurement of the length of lateral protection in the case of non-horizontal lateral
Leg openings test
Wedge block test
Restrain the high chair in such a way it cannot slide on the floor or tip over
To properly position the wedge block (refer to 5.16), place it on the seat and rotate it along its main axis to achieve the most effective position Ensure that the tapered part is aligned against the leg opening, maintaining the main axis perpendicular to the opening.
Gradually pull the wedge block by its hook with a force of 30 N from the outside of the high chair in a straight direction along the wedge block main axis.
Gaps between leg openings
Insert the leg probe (5.15) into one leg opening with its main axis perpendicular to the opening
To simulate the movement of a child's leg while seated in a high chair, position the probe along the perimeter of the leg opening, ensuring that its main axis remains perpendicular to the opening.
Check if the leg probe can pass freely from this leg opening to the other.
Measurement of the distance between the backrest and the crotch restraint
Adjust the backrest to the most upright position and the crotch restraint to the position furthest from the backrest
To measure the horizontal distance, position the measurement tool at the front surface of the uncompressed backrest and extend it to the crotch restraint, which should be located 50 mm above the lowest point of the uncompressed seating surface, following the seat's centerline.
Measurement of the distance between the backrest and the horizontal member
Place the test load (5.11) along the center line of the seat, ensuring that one edge touches the junction line Additionally, add a mass of (2.5 ± 0.1) kg on top of the test load.
During the test, a force of 40 N shall be applied by the small loading pad(s) (5.5) to horizontal members and backrests made of flexible or upholstered material
Measure the maximum horizontal distance along the centre line from the inner edge of the horizontal member to the backrest (see Figure 15)
Record this distance as the distance between the backrest and the horizontal member
Top view Side view Key
4 horizontal line d distance between the horizontal member and the backrest
Figure 15 — Measurement of the distance between the backrest and the horizontal member""""
Stability tests
General
For stability tests outlined in sections 6.17.3 and 6.17.4, the beam specified in 5.8.1 must be securely attached to the high chair, ensuring that its weight is evenly balanced This setup is crucial to prevent the beam and its fixings from affecting the high chair's stability Additionally, the beam should be positioned horizontally when a load is applied.
Positioning
Place the high chair on the floor surface !(5.7)"
If the high chair is likely to slide during the tests, place stops !(5.6)" on the floor against the appropriate leg or legs
For stability tests in sections 6.17.3 and 6.17.4, the beam described in section 5.8.1 must be securely attached to the high chair in a way that ensures the beam's weight is evenly distributed, ensuring that neither the beam nor its attachment affects the stability of the high chair.
NOTE It is recommended to use fixings, which are as light as possible, e.g strings, thus ensuring that minimum vertical force is applied.
Sideways stability
Ensure the high chair is fully assembled and positioned correctly, with the beam securely attached above the seat's lateral centerline Then, apply a downward vertical force of 150 N to the beam, located 140 mm horizontally from the inside edge of one arm or lateral protection of the high chair, as illustrated in Figure 16.
Record whether the high chair overturns
Rearwards stability
Once the high chair is fully assembled and correctly positioned, apply a mass of 15 kg gradually over 5 seconds at a horizontal distance of 140 mm from the most forward point of the unloaded beam supported by the backrest This forward point is defined as the location closest to the seat that supports the beam.
The mass shall be applied for (60 ± 3) s, unless the high chair overturns before
Record whether the high chair overturns."
B most forward point at which the unloaded beam (5.8.1) is supported by the backrest
Forwards stability
After assembling the high chair and positioning it according to the specified guidelines, place the test load at the center line of the seat, ensuring its center of gravity is 80 mm from the front edge.
When the front edge of the seat is made of a flexible material, measure the distance when the front edge is under a force of 5 N inwards
Apply a horizontal force of 25 N outwards at the uppermost front part of the high chair
Record whether the high chair overturns
Footrest and horizontal frame member stability
Assemble the high chair according to section 4.1, ensuring the footrest is attached, and remove the detachable tray With the high chair empty, apply a downward vertical force of 200 N through the loading pad as specified in section 5.4.
To apply the force effectively, position it 25 mm from the outer edge of the footrest or horizontal member If the width of the footrest or horizontal member is less than 50 mm, direct the force at the center.
Apply the force downwards to the footrest Repeat the test to any horizontal frame member most likely to cause overturning
Record whether the high chair overturns
!Figure 19"""" — Footrest and horizontal member stability
Tray tests
Tray strength test
To ensure stability, secure the high chair seat against movement while the tray is attached Apply a horizontal force of 200 N to the tray in ten separate trials at various positions: a) forward at the center of the front edge; b) rearward at the center of the rear edge; c) sideward at the center of one side; and d) sideward at the center of the opposite side.
The test force shall be maintained for 30 s.
Tray vertical static load test and stability
With the high chair unloaded, apply a downward vertical force of 200 N at the geometric centre of the tray (see !Figure 20") Maintain the load for 1 min Remove the load
Record whether the high chair overturns
Tray drop test
This test is only applicable to removable trays
Remove the tray from the high chair and drop it once through a height of 1000 mm onto the floor surface !(5.7)", on each of the following positions:
adjacent to the fastening points,
and on three other points likely to be damaged by the test
The test report must contain essential information, including a reference to EN 14988, specific details about the tested high chair, and the test results as per sections 6.1 to 6.18 It should also indicate compliance with EN 14988 requirements, note any deviations from the standard, provide the name and address of the testing facility, and state the date of the test.