Office desks, the four essential tests

A desk is commodity that all offices require. One desk looks much like another.

FIRA stands for the Furniture Industry Research Association they carry out independent testing of office furniture and domestic furniture to EN standards (European standards) and BS standards (British standards)

Very few low cost office desks pass the BS/EN tests.

Price Point, Stealth and 825 office desks have been subjected to the Four Essential Tests that make up BS and EN testing and passed with flying colours.

1. Stability
2. Static Loads
3. Fatigue
4. Impact

When comparing the specifications of office desks it is important to take independent BS EN testing into account. Products that have passed will stand the test of time and ensure a safer working environment.

• Vertical stability load
  • Downwards load applied to the top surface
  • 300N to 600N x 1
• Horizontal impact test
  • Simulates a desk being knocked over
  • 45Kg mass swung through 35 mm x 2

Passing the test means the desk won't topple over, even with 60kg (10 stone) pushing down on the top - people often sit on the edge of office desks to chat with colleagues - and 45kg (7 stone) knocking the desk from the side!

• Vertical static load
  • Large mass applied to the desktop - e.g. printer, monitor, etc.
  • 1250N vertical force x 10 applied to the top front edge
• Horizontal static load
  • Sideways force causing the legs to deflect inwards or outwards
  • 600N sideways force applied to the side of the desk x 10

Passing the test means the office desks are strong enough to support the full weight of a 125kg (19 stone) person standing on it - perhaps to change a light bulb - and that it will withstand being dragged across the floor - as often happens when reconfiguring an office.

• Vertical fatigue test
  • Small loads applied to the desktop, e.g. pile of paperwork
  • 300N vertical force applied to the table top x 30000
• Horizontal fatigue test
  • 150N x 30000 sideways force applied at the top edge of the desk

Passing this test means the office desks will stand the test of time - equivalent to 30kg (4.5 stone) or 2.5 boxes of paper being put on the desk 30,000 times!

• Vertical impact test
  • Simulates a mass being dropped onto the desk top
  • 25Kg sprung mass dropped through 240mm
• Drop test
  • Simulates one end of the desk being dropped on the ground
  • One end is lifted and dropped onto a rubber floor surface

Passing this test means the office desks can withstand the knocks and bumps it will inevitably suffer through the years! - 25kg (4 stone) is dropped onto the top and then the desk is dropped on one end!

• Vertical stability load
  • Downwards load applied to the top surface
  • 750N x 1

Passing the test means the desks won't topple over, even with 75kg (12 stone) pushing down on the top - for example, people often sit on the edge of office desks to chat with colleagues.

• Vertical static load
  • Large mass applied to the desktop - e.g printer, monitor etc
  • 1000N vertical force x 10 applied at four locations
• Horizontal static load
  • Sideways force causing the legs to deflect inwards or outwards
  • 450N sideways force applied to the side of the desk x 10

Passing the test means the desk is strong enough to support the full weight of a 100kg (nearly 16 stone) person standing on it - perhaps to change a light bulb - and that it will withstand being dragged across the floor - as often happens when reconfiguring an office.

• Vertical fatigue test
  • Small loads applied to the desktop, e.g. pile of paperwork
  • 400N vertical force applied to the table top x 10000
• Horizontal fatigue test
  • 300N x 5000 sideways force applied to the top edge of the desk

Passing this test means the desks will stand the test of time - equivalent to 40kg (over 6 stone) or 3 boxes of paper being put on the desk 10,000 times!