ISO 21015:2007

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 21015
First edition
2007-06-15
Office furniture — Office work chairs —
Test methods for the determination of
stability, strength and durability
Mobilier de bureau — Sièges de travail de bureau — Méthodes d'essai
pour la détermination de la stabilité, de la résistance et de la durabilité

Reference number
©
ISO 2007
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ii © ISO 2007 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword. iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 2
4 General test conditions. 2
4.1 Preliminary preparation . 2
4.2 Test equipment . 3
4.3 Application of forces . 3
4.4 Tolerances . 3
4.5 Sequence of testing. 3
4.6 Inspection and assessment of results. 3
5 Test apparatus . 5
5.1 Test surface. 5
5.2 Stops . 5
5.3 Seat-loading pad. 5
5.4 Smaller seat-loading pad . 6
5.5 Local loading pad . 6
5.6 Back-loading pad. 6
5.7 Arm-rest durability test apparatus . 7
5.8 Strap. 8
5.9 Stability-loading device. 9
5.10 Loading discs. 9
5.11 Test surface for castor durability. 9
6 Loading points . 9
6.1 Loading point A. 9
6.2 Loading point B. 9
6.3 Loading point C. 9
6.4 Loading point D. 10
6.5 Loading point E. 10
6.6 Loading point F. 10
6.7 Loading point G . 10
6.8 Loading point H. 10
6.9 Loading point J . 10
7 Test methods. 11
7.1 Stability . 11
7.2 Static-load tests . 15
7.3 Durability tests . 17
8 Test report . 19
Annex A (informative) Guidance for the choice of forces, cycles, etc., for stability, strength and
durability tests — General principles . 20
Annex B (normative) Seat-loading pad data. 23
Annex C (normative) Stability-loading device data . 26

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 21015 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 136, Furniture.

iv © ISO 2007 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21015:2007(E)

Office furniture — Office work chairs — Test methods for the
determination of stability, strength and durability
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies test methods for determining the stability, strength and durability of office
work chairs. Guidance is given on the choice of forces, cycles, etc., for these tests.
The tests are designed to be applied to an article of furniture that is fully assembled and ready for use.
The dimensions in the tests are applicable to office work chairs intended for adult persons.
The tests consist of the application, to various parts of the item, of forces simulating normal functional use, as
well as misuse that can reasonably be expected to occur.
The tests are designed to evaluate properties without regard to materials, design/construction or
manufacturing processes.
The test results are valid only for the article tested. When the test results are intended to be applied to other
similar articles, it is important that the test specimen be representative of the production model.
Tests carried out according to this International Standard are intended to demonstrate the ability of the item to
give satisfactory service in its intended environment. The tests have been developed for units/components
that have not been in use. However, when properly justified, they can be used for fault investigation.
Data are given for the design of seat-loading pads (Annex B) and for the design of stability-loading pad
(Annex C).
This International Standard does not give any product requirements. These can be specified in a requirements
document. If this is not available, possible forces and cycles are suggested in Annex A (informative). These
forces and cycles can be used for adults regardless of their weight and number of working hours.
This International Standard does not specify type approval tests for chair components.
Assessment of ageing and degradation is not included. The tests are not intended to assess the durability of
upholstery, i.e. filling materials and covers.
2 Normative references
The following referenced document is indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references,
only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
ISO 22880:2004, Castors and wheels — Requirements for castors for swivel chairs
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
office work chair
piece of seating furniture for one person, with a back rest, with or without arm rests, whose upper part, which
includes the seat, can rotate in the horizontal plane and can be adjusted in height
NOTE Other adjustments may be included.
3.2
column
〈office work chair〉 component that connects the base and the seat structure
NOTE A column normally incorporates a seat-height adjustment and swivel mechanism.
3.3
locking device
device that inhibits the movement of the seat action and/or the back rest
3.4
arm-rest length
distance between vertical lines through its front and rear edges
NOTE In the case of an arm rest that is not horizontal or that is curved, the length is measured in a horizontal plane
20 mm below the highest point of the arm rest.
3.5
supporting point
castor or glide
NOTE There are two castor types as defined in ISO 22880:2004.
a) Type H: Castors with plain wheels defined as type H, hard tread. The wheel is one colour over the entire surface.
These castors are suitable for carpeted floors.
b) Type W: Castors with resilient tyred wheels defined as type W, soft tread. This is of clearly different colour to the
wheel centre. These castors are suitable for hard stone, wooden or tiled floors or those featuring non-
textiled covering.
4 General test conditions
4.1 Preliminary preparation
The unit shall be assembled and/or configured according to the instructions supplied with it. The most adverse
configuration shall be used for each test (see Table 1). For testing a range of related chair models, it is
necessary to test only the worst case(s). If mounting or assembly instructions are not supplied, the mounting
or assembly method shall be recorded in the test report. Fittings shall not be re-tightened unless specifically
required by the manufacturer. If it is necessary to change the configuration to produce the worst case
conditions, any re-tightening of the fittings shall be recorded in the test report.
Unless otherwise stated, all tests shall be carried out on the same sample.
The tests shall be carried out in indoor ambient conditions. If during a test the temperature is outside of the range
of 15 °C to 25 °C, the maximum and/or minimum temperature shall be recorded in the test report.
In the case of designs not address
...