Contract furniture needs to be strong, safe and durable. There’s no denying that chairs and tables found in commercial venues see a lot of use. From busy bistros to hectic hotels, bustling break-out zones to energetic event spaces, commercial furniture must withstand being constantly moved around, sat on, stacked and cleaned.
That’s why, whenever we plan on launching a new product, we send it to FIRA International, the service provider to the Furniture Industry Research Association, to be tested before we consider adding it to our range. If FIRA certify it, you can rest assured that the product is strong, hardwearing and safe to use in a non-domestic environment. Although these tests aren’t a mandatory industry requirement, we want to give you peace of mind that our furniture is high quality, fit for purpose, and meets safety regulations.
What is FIRA testing?
FIRA can be traced back to 1949 when the Furniture Development Council (FDC) was established by the government to meet a need for research into the production, performance and durability of furniture.
Today, FIRA International, part of the Element Group, is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection, certification and calibration businesses in the world, and conduct testing which simulates real-life use and foreseeable misuse for all types of furniture. By subjecting a piece of furniture to constant weight and pressure for a prolonged period, conclusions can be made about its strength and durability.
Testing
furniture at the state-of-the-art FIRA facility in Stevenage
How rigorously is our furniture tested?
If you see this logo next to a product, it means that is has been successfully tested to BS EN 16139:2013 Test Level 1, which is a European standard specifying requirements for the safety, strength and durability of all types of non-domestic seating, intended for use by adults with a weight of not more than 110 kg.
Level 1 means that furniture is tested for ‘general use’. For example, various applications in office buildings, hotels, function rooms, restaurants, cafes, and bars. The testing process includes:
Safety Testing
Ensures that furniture is free of injury risks, including from adjustable or moveable parts
Stability Testing
Assesses the likelihood of the seating tipping over, by applying specified loads to the seat, arms, backrest, and footrest
Construction Testing
Applies a force 10 times at different points on the seating to ensure the structure can withstand it
Durability Testing
Applies forces to the seat and back, and presses down on the armrests to simulate long-term use
Flammability Testing
Tests the foams and fabrics to ensure they meet BS 7176 standards for medium hazards
Fabric Testing
Assesses the fabric's durability and wear and tear, including abrasion tests
Seating Testing at FIRA
Why is FIRA testing important?
FIRA testing plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, durability, and regulatory compliance of contract furniture, which helps contribute to a positive customer experience and protect businesses from potential liabilities including complaints and negative reviews due to accidents or breakages. The FIRA International certification means that we are confident that our furniture will withstand daily wear and tear in a commercial environment, ensuring a longer lifespan and reducing the need for frequent replacements, ultimately saving money and stress, and promoting sustainability.
From left to right: Marcelo Side Chair, Albany Spindle Back Armchair, Tavo Stacking Side Chair, Selma Armchair
Here are just a few of our high-quality commercial chairs that have been successfully tested by FIRA, you can see all the certified products here. If an Eclipse product doesn’t have a FIRA logo next to it, be assured that it has received a similar standard of testing by the manufacturer and is deemed suitable for general non-domestic use.
All the products offered by Eclipse Furniture are exceptional quality and have been designed to last, but we understand the extra peace of mind that an official FIRA certification will offer. If you’d like more information on any of our products, our testing methods, or if there’s anything else we can help you with, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01452 336 520 or email sales@eclipsefurniture.co.uk.
