Seating Testing Videos
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+44 (0)1438 415 718The experts at FIRA International test all types of domestic and commercial seating.
To help you understand more about what's involved in the testing process we have a number of short videos available.
Swivel Chair Test
BS 5459-2:2000+A2:2008. Specification for performance requirements and tests for office furniture. Office pedestal seating for use by persons weighing up to 150kg and for use up to 24 hours a day, including type-approval tests for individual components
The seat is loaded with 1,200 Newtons and the test runs for 100,000 cycles
Outdoor Seating
BS EN 581-2:2015. Outdoor furniture. Seating and tables for camping, domestic and contract use. Mechanical safety requirements and test methods for seating
The test involves 1,000 newtons of force, cycles depend on the intended use of the product:
- Camping 12,500 cycles, taking 2-3 days
- Domestic 25,000 cycles, taking 4-5 days
- Contract 50,000 cycles, taking 8-9 days
Office Chairs
BS 5459-2:2000+A2:2008. Specification for performance requirements and tests for office furniture. Office pedestal seating for use by persons weighing up to 150kg and for use up to 24 hours a day, including type-approval tests for individual components
We apply 1,500 newtons to the front of the seat pad then we apply the same 1,500 newtons the centre of the seat and 400 Newtons to the back – all of which equals 1 cycle.
This test is run for 500,000 cycles and roughly takes about 18 weeks to complete.
Rise Recliner Test
BS 8474:2013 Furniture. Chairs with electrically operated support surfaces. Requirements
We load the test dummy op with 110KG weight distributed evenly over it.
This is then run 20,000 times (1 cycle = seat in full upright position to fully reclined and back again.
Public and Lounge Seating
Testing to ANSI/BIFMA X5.4 - 2020 Public and Lounge Seating.
The red bag will be loaded with 57KG and raised 36mm from the seat surface. The bag will then be dropped 100,000 times.
Test usually takes around 5-6 days.
Oversized Deckchair
An example Double Seat Static Load Test, under BS EN 581-1:2017 + BS EN 581-2:2015 (Outdoor Seating)
We perform the load of either:
- Camping-, 2,200 Newtons x10 times
- Domestic, 3,200 Newtons x10 times
- Contract, 4,000 Newtons x10 times
These loads would be distributed over both loading pads. After that the loads are left on for 30 minutes.
combined seat and back durability test
- BS EN 12520:2015 Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for domestic seating
- BS EN 16139:2013. Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for non-domestic seating
1,000 newtons to the seat and 300 newtons to the back. Cycles depend on the intended use of the product:
- BS EN 12520 – 25,000 cycles (3-4 days)
- BS EN 16139:2013 – 100,000 cycles (9-10 days)
- BS EN 16139:2013 – 200,000 cycles (15-16 days)
Arm Seating Test
- BS EN 12520:2015 Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for domestic seating.
- BS EN 16139:2013. Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for non-domestic seating
Cycles range from 10,000 to 60,000 depending on the product and it's intended use, with the test taking between 1-5 days.
Seating Testing
- BS EN 12520:2015. Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for domestic seating
- BS EN 16139:2013. Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for non-domestic seating
The test involves 800 newtons per load, and cycles are determined by the intended use of the product:
- Domestic: 20,000 cycles, taking 2-3 days
- Contract level 1: 50,000 cycles, taking 6-7 days
- Contract level 2: 100,000 cycles, taking 10-12 days
