ASTM F420-04(2022)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F420 − 04 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Access Depth Under Furniture of Vacuum Cleaners
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF420;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4.2 A device for measuring access depth, (in inches or
millimetres) horizontally from the face of the horizontal bar in
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the opera-
4.1.
tional ability of the vacuum cleaner, expressed as the access
depth for a given furniture clearance above the floor. 4.3 VoltageRegulatorSystem, to control the input voltage to
the vacuum cleaner. The regulator system must be capable of
1.2 This test method can be used in testing household and
maintaining the vacuum cleaner’s rated voltage 61 % and
commercial vacuum cleaners.
rated frequency having a wave form that is essentially sinusoi-
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
dal with 3 % maximum harmonic distortion for the duration of
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
the test.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
4.4 Voltmeter, to measure input voltage to the vacuum
and are not considered standard.
cleaner, to provide measurements accurate to within 61%.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Sampling
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 The access depth under furniture shall be established on
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
three samples.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
6. Preparation of Apparatus
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
6.1 Prepare the apparatus as shown in Figs. 1-3.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
7. Procedure
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
7.1 Upright Vacuum Cleaners (Fig. 1):
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
7.1.1 Place the upright vacuum cleaner in its most advanta-
2. Summary of Test Method geous position for cleaning under furniture. Operate the
vacuum cleaner at the vacuum cleaner’s nameplate rated
2.1 The carpet nozzle is inserted under a horizontal rod and
voltage 61 % and rated frequency 61 Hz with the nozzle
the access depth is measured from the front of the rod.
height in the lowest cleaning position on a bare floor surface.
3. Significance and Use
7.1.1.1 For vacuum cleaners with dual nameplate voltage
ratings, conduct the test method at the highest voltage.
3.1 This test method is intended to provide a means of
7.1.2 The access depth is the distance (in inches or milli-
evaluating the effective cleaning depth under furniture.
metres) measured from the front of the 0.75-in. (19-mm)
3.2 Results of testing by this test method can be used as a
diameter rod (when in contact with the highest component of
basis for specifications on cleaning under furniture.
the vacuum cleaner) to the most advanced point of the inlet of
the nozzle.
4. Apparatus
NOTE 1—If the access depth is influenced by the cleaner bag, no
4.1 A 0.75-in. (19-mm) diameter rod, mounted horizontally
pressure is to be applied to the handle or the bag to reduce the height.
in a suitable supporting device to provide heights under the rod
NOTE 2—The vacuum cleaner must be energized, if a soft bag is
from 0 in. to 10.0 in. (0 mm to 254 mm) in increments of
present, as the inflation changes the working height of the handle when it
0.5 in. (12.7 mm).
is in its lowest position. If there is no soft bag, or no inflation possible,
there is no reason to energize the cleaner as the test is conducted on a bare
1 floor surface and the nozzle suction will be at a minimum and have little
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F11 on Vacuum
effect on the nozzle down-force.
Cleaners and is the direct responsibi
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