Shand Labs

Your health and comfort is our primary concern. That's why all of our products are BIFMA-certified (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers).

In order to acheive this certification, our chairs must comply with a battery of tests of endurance and performance.

1. Durability Testing

Durability tests simulate prolonged use to ensure furniture can withstand wear and tear over time. For example, chairs may undergo repetitive load testing where weights or mechanical presses simulate repeated sitting to test the strength of joints, frames, and materials. These tests mimic real-world usage over years to guarantee longevity.

2. Strength Testing

Strength tests assess the furniture's ability to handle extreme forces beyond normal use. This might involve applying heavy loads or sudden impacts to chairs, tables, or shelves to check for structural integrity. For example, a chair might be tested with a significant weight dropped onto its seat to evaluate its capacity to resist breakage under stress.

3. Stability Testing

Stability tests determine how resistant furniture is to tipping or toppling during use. For instance, chairs are subjected to tipping force tests to ensure they remain stable when users lean back or forward. Similarly, shelves and cabinets undergo tilt testing to ensure they won't fall over when loaded unevenly.

4. Surface Performance Testing

These tests evaluate the durability of surface materials against scratches, stains, and general wear. For example, abrasion resistance tests involve rubbing a standard abrasive material against tabletops to assess their resistance to scratches. Chemical resistance tests may also be conducted to ensure surfaces can withstand cleaning products.

5. Safety Testing

Safety tests verify that the furniture is free from sharp edges, unstable components, or hazards that could cause injury. This includes pinch-point testing to ensure no moving parts can trap fingers, and edge testing to confirm that corners are rounded or smoothed. Furniture for children may undergo additional tests to check for choking hazards or toxic materials.

6. Ergonomic Testing

Ergonomic tests assess furniture's design for user comfort, posture support, and adaptability to various body types and needs. For example, office chairs undergo evaluations for seat height adjustability, lumbar support effectiveness, and armrest positioning to ensure they promote proper posture and reduce strain. Desks and workstations are tested for compatibility with ergonomic principles, such as allowing neutral wrist positioning and sufficient legroom. These tests ensure that the furniture not only supports physical well-being but also enhances productivity and user satisfaction.

By passing these and other tests, we commit to offering the best possible ergonomic experience.