Building a bed

I'm thinking of building a custom bunk bed pair for my two lads.

I'm confident in my wood working skills. But what I'm not so sure of is suitability of materials.

If I use bog standard chip board and cheapo timber from the likes of b and q, what about compliance with fire regs?

If I did use bog standard materials, is there such a thing as flame retardant paint?

 

00000000000000000000000000001348Clueless1, this site may be of some help.
http://www.funkybunk.co.uk/build-a-bunk-bed.htm

 

I personally would not use chipboard for such a project. Its known as a carcinogenic. Some people even refer to it as "the asbestos of this century." As for choice of timber. Try to get some that is free from knots. They can be a weak spot. A good thing here could be to use what is known as construction timber. Its tested for strength.

As was stated above, flame retardant paint is available, but it can be made at home. Recipes for it are available online.

A possible idea to save money might be to buy a bed from somewhere like Ikea, and customise it.

 

Only made a couple of beds, so if you're going for the slatted type thing with a mattress on top just use ordinary softwood, the furniture brigade like to call it pine, sounds better.

Agree you need to find some stuff that is fairly knot free, and if you buy it from B&Q or Wickes its likely to be pretty bowed.
Dont buy treated stuff.