Office Seating Specification Guide
Introduction
The driving force behind the specification of seats in Europe continues to be display equipment (DSE), Health and Safety for desks and chairs used with computer workstations. The Health and Safety Executive indicates that equipment such as desks, chairs, monitor arms and mobile owners should comply with BS EN ISO 9241 Part 5.
The DSE regs have been with us since long, but the question changed in recent years thanks to new technologies such as flat screen monitors who changed the shape and size of jobs and new working practices which mean that people do not have office and static in the past.
There is also another approach to ergonomics that caused power is much less fear of litigation by employees and the well-being, productivity and attract and retain staff.
One thing that has not changed is that good ergonomics starts with a good president.
Making comfortable bases
Chairs should meet the needs of a very high percentage of users preferred personal comfort and fit. Standards tend to be based on anthropometric data for about 95 percent of the population.
Best chairs are those who encourage and support small changes in position all day, in response to the needs of different tasks. This will reduce the discomfort, muscle fatigue and long-term health problems
There is a basic set of adjustments that are essential to minimize discomfort in the upper body, back and legs and encourage good breathing
Further adjustments may improve the ability to meet President these needs
People need effective training to avoid the discomfort and health problems. People must not only know how to adjust their chairs be encouraged to change positions frequently, they should also be aware of the need for movement and breaks
Because that adjustments to the seats can be as sophisticated now with a lot of variation, try to choose a chair with intuitive controls to encourage people to settle
Adjustments
The era when presidents would only turn around and go up and down is long gone. Now, the following adjustments are standard or common:
Seat Height
Seat voltage
Seat Recline
Seat Depth
Back height
Back rake
Back lock
Lumbar
Height of armrests
armrest width
Locking pin
With all this variety, it is perhaps not surprising that many people do not know how to adjust their chairs properly. Research conducted by the Information Centre Health in the Workplace in the United States found that less than half the people always adjust their chairs for their own comfort. Ask the manufacturer about assistance they can offer to help your employees adjust their chairs properly. Most presidents have a label attached instructions, but companies will also contribute to training, advice on their interactive web sites and other support.
The elements of comfort
A chair should fit properly, a user can obtain the following basic elements of comfort:
The two feet may be placed flat on the floor
The seat should not put pressure on the back of the legs when the user leans back
The user can sit in contact with the back at any time
The file may take over the position chosen with uniform pressure on all points of the back
The tension seat must be properly adjusted for height and weight of individuals
If possible, a lumbar support should be adjusted to the proper height for User
Armrests should be adjusted according to the user
The inclination of the seat must be adjusted, if possible, to the angle most comfortable for the task at hand, preferably without the user from sliding forward on the seat.
The file must also be adjusted to the proper height and angle according to the preference of the user
headrest option can provide additional support for the head and neck
Nothing to do with the chair, but make sure the user moves. A simple discipline as permanent make calls can make a big difference
Mechanisms
The standard for the chairs in Europe, the synchronized movement. A mechanism synchronized during movement of the seat of a degree, the back moves two degrees. An alternative is to have a mechanism Failover with individually controlled back so that the shape of the seat is designed for individual support and lumbar remains constant. In most of Europe, we tend to be driven by the German market that promotes the synchronous mechanism and maintains the status quo. In different markets such as Scandinavia, where requirements and market conditions are different demand is more often a knee-tilt mechanism.
Accessories
As the base seat, many manufacturers will allow you to customize their chairs with a range of accessories, including:
Headrests
Different types of wheels and skates
Different arm rests
Coat hangers
Ergonomic Accessories
Finishes and fabrics
Although mesh chairs have become increasingly popular over the last decade, most chairs are still covered with upholstery fabric specified foam. There is a nice selection range of fabrics to choose from a number of suppliers. If you can always try to specify a fabric of a large, leading manufacturers who not only better quality materials but also offer a wide range, well designed.
The long and short and general
Although standards are based on shapes and sizes of the order of 95 per cent of the population, which can cause problems when are those outside of the size distribution agreement, still a fairly large number of people. Another problem with the anthropometric data that the legislation is based on is that it is based on historical data. Some of them date from the time in early 1980 and the opening work of a man named Stephen Pheasant. This may not reflect the changing shape of the population.
Anthropometry can also vary greatly from one country to another. The Netherlands is now the highest average in the world with young men on average over 6 feet tall. In contrast, the average size of men in Vietnam and North Korea remains relatively low at 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 5 inches respectively.
form in the short term, people can change even more rapidly. The most remarkable is how the British population is growing. According to statistics Recent approximately 42 percent of men and women 32 percent are now classified as obese, compared to only 6 and 8 percent respectively in 1980.
Making it green
Many chairs now make claims about their powers in bold green with a few claiming to be 95 or more per cent recyclable. As usual with the demands of the environment, you should dig a little more for what it is means. In particular be aware that, because chairs are generally made of different materials, separating all for recycling can be difficult and expensive. Always ask how a manufacturer they support recycling. Ideally, it should be a management regime in place for you to enjoy. Be careful when selecting materials.
There may be other standards and plans that will guide your decision. One example is the labeling TCO, you probably already seen on your own screen, but can be ignored. TCO Certification is a series of product certifications for office equipment often associated with screens computer, but later revisions TCO also set standards for computers, keyboards, printers, mobile phones furniture office, and, since 2004. TCO includes not only principles but also ergonomic issues of the environment and the use of materials.
It are also organizations that may be able to advise and assist the green at work
www.green-works.co.uk
Making Extra
Inclusiveness is not just about disability, although under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA) all the furniture in the areas of access the public must be adapted for use by people with disabilities.
It may also be other groups of people to whom you Offer special consideration. These are the people above and below the 95 percent range used to determine the needs ergonomic standards and pregnant women whose ergonomics clearly needs to change quickly and dramatically and that the discomfort can become a problem major.
Standards
As the range of British and international standards detailed below, it may be worth considering Other examples of excellence in the purchase of seats. We Standards TCO mentioned above, but another is the FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award claiming to identify products that meet and exceed the requirements of general standards. A list of award holders can be found on askFIRA website.
www.fira.co.uk
The strength and stability
According to BS 5459-2: 2000 chairs operators must comply with the test requirements for use by persons weighing 150 kg for a maximum of 24 hours per day. Otherwise chairs tested to BS EN 1335-2:2000 shall comply with the test requirements for use by persons weighing 110 kg for a maximum of 8 hours per day.
FIRA has recently introduced a new standard (FIRA 0055: 2005) which aims to provide seating for people weighing up to 200 kg (about 31.5 stone)
All other items that the chairs of the operators must be in accordance with BS EN 13761: 2000 and should not be upset when tested in accordance with BS EN 1022: 2005
Finishes
non-metallic surfaces must comply with Standard Specification 6250:2005 FIRA materials (Interior) Table 2 Performance Finish severe horizontal surfaces.
The finishes on metal parts shall comply with FIRA Standard 4000: 2006 Specification loose materials: Interior - Surface finish for metals.
Woven must meet the requirements of BS 2543:2004 for stuffing contracts.
Coated fabrics must meet the requirements of BS ISO 7617-1: 2001 Part 1 for coated fabrics and BS 5790: Part 2, 1995 = ISO 7617-2:1994 for PVC coated fabrics for applications contract.
The leather must meet the requirements of BS EN 13336:2004 for general contract.
Inflammability
All such as urethane foam filling used should be "burning amendment. Foams must meet the test set out in Schedule 1 Part 1 the "Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. Combinations of padding and filling must be compliant a medium-risk as defined by BS 7176:1995.
Stuffing
Filling material of urethane foam type should meet BS 3379:2005, Class V for the seats, the S-class for the back.
Ergonomics and health and safety
The Presidents should comply with BS EN ISO 9241-5: 1999, Part 5 ergonomic requirements for office work with display terminals (VDT'S); up in workstation and postural requirements.
Office chairs should also comply with BS EN 1335-1: 2000, Part 1 Office Furniture - Office chair: Classification and determination of dimensions. visitor chairs must also comply with the standards specified dimension in BS EN 13761: 2002, office furniture - chairs for visitors.
Contract, meeting and reception Force base and stability
When tested in accordance with BS 4875-1:2001, The Presidents should comply with any test level of 4 or 5. Test Level 4 is where manipulation of crude and careless treatment occur. test level 5 applies with seats for severe use. When tested to BS 7945:1999 chairs should not be reversed.
Auditorium and beams permanently fixed to the ground shall conform to BS EN 12727: 2000
Finishes
As above
Ergonomics
Chairs should comply with the requirements of BS EN 13761: 2002, office furniture - chairs for visitors.
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