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Office Seating Specification Guide

Introduction

The driving force behind the specification to be in Europe remains screen equipment (DSE), Health and Safety Regulation desks and chairs for use with workstations. The Health and Safety Executive states that equipment such as desks, chairs, monitor arms and laptop holders must comply with BS EN ISO 9241 Part 5.

The DSE, rules have been around a long time but the issue has changed in recent years thanks to new technologies like flat-screen monitors that have changed the shape and size of the workstations and new working practices which mean that people are not as connected desktop and static as in the past.

There is also a different approach to ergonomics has meant that the driving force is much less fear of litigation by employees and more on welfare, productivity and attract and retain staff.

One thing has not changed is that a good ergonomics starts with a good chair.

Make it comfortable fundamentals

Chairs should meet the needs a very high percentage of users based on personal preference, comfort and fit. Standards tend to be based on anthropometric data of about 95 percent of the population.

The best seats are those that encourage and support small changes position throughout the day in response to the needs of different tasks. This will reduce the malaise, muscle fatigue and long-term health problems
There is a basic set of adjustments that are essential to minimize discomfort in the upper the body, back and legs and promote good breathing
further adjustments may improve the ability to chair meet those needs
People need training effective to prevent discomfort and health problems. People must not only know how to adjust their chairs are encouraged to change positions frequently, should also be aware of movements and pauses need
Due to adjustments to the seat can be so sophisticated now with a great variation, try to choose a chair with intuitive controls to encourage people to adjust
Settings

The days of just spinning chair and go up and down are gone. Now, the following settings are all either standard or common:

Seat height
Seat pressure
Seat Pitch
Seat depth
Back height
Back rake
Back lock
Lumbar Support
Arm height
Arm width
Pivot Arm
With all this variety is perhaps unsurprising many people do not know how to adjust their chairs properly. Research by the Center for Health at Work in the U.S. Information found that less than half the people always adjust their chairs for your comfort. Ask the manufacturer about the help they can offer to help their people adjust their chairs properly. Most chairs have a care label that accompanies good but companies also offer help with training, advice on their interactive websites and other aid.

Comfort items

A properly fitted saddle should mean that a user can achieve the following basic elements of comfort:

Both feet can be placed on the floor
The seat should not put pressure on the back of the legs when the user leans back
The user can sit back contact at all times
The support can support the chosen position with a uniform pressure at all points back
Tension the seat should be adjusted depending on the height and weight of individuals
If possible, a lumbar support should be adjusted to the correct height for the user
Armrests be adjusted to suit the user
The inclination of the seat should be adjusted, if possible, in the most comfortable angle for the task at hand, preferably without the user from sliding forward on the seat.
The support should also be adjusted to correct height and angle according to user preference
headrest option can provide additional support for the head and neck
Nothing to do with the chair, but make sure you move around. A simple discipline such as standing for calls can make a big difference
Mechanisms

The standard for seats in Europe is the synchronized movement. With a synchronized mechanism when the seat moves to an extent, the back moves in two degrees. An alternative is to have a tilt mechanism of the knee with an adjustable back to the shape of the seat adapted for individual and lumbar support remains constant. In most of Europe, which tend to be driven by the German market, which promotes and maintains synchronized mechanism the status quo. In individual markets such as Scandinavia, where the demands and market conditions are different, the demand is often for a tilting mechanism knee.

Accessories

In addition to the chair base, many manufacturers allow you to customize your chairs, with a range of accessories including:

Head rests
Different types of wheels and glides
Different arm rests
Coat hangers
Ergonomic Accessories
Finishes and fabrics

Although mesh chairs become increasingly popular over the last ten years or so, most chairs are still specified with fabric covered upholstery foam. There is a nice selection variety of fabrics to choose a number of suppliers. If you can always try to specify a fabric with one of the large manufacturers renowned not only have better quality materials but also offer a wide range, well designed.

The long and short and tall

Although standards are based on the shapes and sizes of about 95 percent of the population, this can cause problems when it comes to those who are out of the distribution According sizes, yet large enough number of people. Another error in the anthropometric data that the legislation is based on based on historical data. Part of it goes back to the days of the 1980s and the innovative work of a man named Stephen Pheasant. This may not take into account the changing shape of the population.

Anthropometry can also vary greatly from one country to another. The Netherlands now has the highest average in the world with a higher than average young men 6 feet tall. By contrast, the average height of men in Vietnam and North Korea remains comparatively small 5 feet 5 feet 4 and 5 respectively.

way in the short term, populations can change quickly. Most notable is how the British population is getting bigger. According to recent statistics, about 42 percent of men and 32 percent of women are now classified as overweight, compared with only 6 to 8 per cent respectively in 1980.

Making it green

Many chairs now make bold claims about their green credentials by some that considered 95 percent or more recyclable. As usual in environmental claims should dig a little deeper into what this really means. In particular, take note that because the chairs are usually many different materials, separating them all out for recycling can be difficult and expensive. Always ask how a manufacturer that support recycling. In an ideal situation should be a management plan in place for you to take advantage. Be careful when choosing materials.

Can be other rules and plans that guide their decision. One example is the TCO label, you've probably seen on the screen of the monitor, but can be ignored. Certification TCO is a series of product certifications for office equipment commonly associated with computer monitors, but later revisions also define TCO standards for computers, keyboards, printers, mobile phones, and office furniture since 2004. TCO includes not only ergonomic principles, but also environmental issues and the use of materials.

There are also organizations that may be able to advise and assist in including The Green Works
www.green-works.co.uk

Making it Inclusive

Inclusion is not just about disability, but under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA) all furniture in public access areas must be suitable for use by persons with disabilities.

There may be other groups of people who should be Special offer consideration. These include people above and below the 95 percent range of distribution used to determine the needs ergonomic standard and pregnant women whose ergonomic clearly needs change quickly and dramatically and discomfort for those who can become a major problem.

Standards

In addition to the range of British and international standards are detailed below, may be worth looking at other examples of excellence in purchasing seats. One is the total cost of ownership above rules, but another is the FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award which seeks to identify products that meet and exceed the requirements general rules. A list of grantees can be accessed through the website askFIRA.
www.fira.co.uk

The strength and stability

Under with BS 5459-2: 2000 chairs operators must meet the test requirements for use by people weighing 150 kg to a maximum of 24 hours a day. Otherwise chairs BS EN 1335-2:2000 test must meet the test requirements for use by people weighing 110 kg to a maximum of eight hours a day.

FIRA has also introduced Recently a new standard (FIRA 0055: 2005), which aims to provide seating for people weighing up to 200 kilos (approximately 31.5 stone)

All other items that the chairs of the operators must comply with BS EN 13761: 2000 and should not overflow in the tests in accordance with BS EN 1022: 2005

Finishes

finishing of metal surfaces must comply with FIRA Standard Specification 6250:2005 Materials (Interior) Table 2 Performance Finalize severe horizontal surfaces.

The finish of metal items must comply with FIRA standard 4000: 2006 Furniture Material Specifications: Interior - Finishes applied to the metal surface.

Textiles must meet the requirements of BS 2543:2004 for general contract upholstery.

Covered fabrics must meet the requirements of BS ISO 7617-1: 2001 Part 1 of knitted fabrics and PVC BS 5790: Part 2, 1995 = ISO 7617-2:1994 for PVC fabrics for contract applications.

Leather must meet the requirements of BS EN 13336:2004 for general contracting.

Inflammability

Any foam urethane as a filler used should be "amended by combustion. foams must meet the criteria set out in Schedule 1, Part 1 of" furniture and furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Act 1988. Combinations of the upholstery and padding must meet the standard for a medium hazard as defined by BS 7176:1995.

Filling materials

Filler type urethane foam must comply with BS 3379:2005, Class V of the seats, the S-Class back.

Ergonomics and Health and Safety

The chairs must comply with BS EN ISO 9241-5: 1999, Part 5 Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display (VDT's) workstation design and postural requirements.

Office chairs should also comply with BS EN 1335-1: 2000, Part 1 Furniture Office - Office chair: Dimensions and determination of dimensions. Visitors also chairs must meet size standards specified in the standard BS EN 13761: 2002, Office furniture - Visitors chairs.

Contract meeting and reception seating force and stability

When carried out Testing in accordance with BS 4875-1:2001, chairs must comply with any of the test levels of 4 or 5. Test Level 4 is where industry to abuse and neglect occur. Test Level 5 is applied to the seats for heavy use. When tested to BS 7945:1999 should not be overturned chairs.

Auditorium seats and permanently fixed beam the plant must comply with BS EN 12 727: 2000

Finishes

As above

Ergonomics

Chairs should be eligible of BS EN 13761: 2002, Office furniture - Visitors chairs.
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