Durability

The durability test applies, as repeated cycles, the loads the furniture will bear over its service life. Seat and backrest cycles for seating, table top loading for tables, and door/drawer opening-closing cycles for storage units are applied. Unlike a single strength test, damage accumulates through fatigue.

The purpose is to determine whether the product completes its expected life in the declared use class. A domestic chair and a chair used in a contract setting are not subjected to the same number of cycles.

• Chairs, armchairs and stools
• Office and meeting-room furniture
• Contract-use seating
• Cabinet door and drawer mechanisms
• Beds and bed frames

• TS EN 1728 (seating — durability tests)
• TS EN 1730 (tables — durability)
• TS EN 16121 / 16122 (storage furniture — durability)
• TS EN 12520 / 12521 / 14749 / 527 (product standards — cycle levels)

Number of cycles

From the product standard; varies by use class

Load

Loading rig and force defined in the method standard

Interim check

Joint and deformation checks at the defined stages

• Cyclic loading (durability) test rigs
• Door and drawer opening-closing simulators
• Load cells and cycle counter
• Conditioning room

• Fully assembled, ready-for-sale product
• The declared use class must be provided
• The test is destructive; the specimen is not returned
• For products with mechanisms, keeping a spare part on hand is recommended

Duration is determined directly by the number of cycles and is the longest-running group among furniture tests. High-cycle programmes at contract-use class can run on the machine for weeks.

1. 1The product is assembled per the instructions and conditioned.
2. 2Initial dimensions, joint tightness and mechanism function are recorded.
3. 3Cycles are applied at the defined load and speed.
4. 4Joints and deformation are checked at interim stages.
5. 5The product is examined in detail once the target cycle count is completed.
6. 6Whether the mechanisms retain their function is verified.

The acceptance criterion is no breakage, joint separation or loss of function at the end of the target cycle count. The method standard defines how the force is applied, not how much. Force levels and cycle counts come from the product standard (such as EN 12520, EN 12521, EN 14749, EN 527) or from the contract; different levels are defined for domestic, office and contract use.

The cycle at which damage begins is recorded; joints that loosen early point to a design or assembly issue. It is essential that the product remains safely usable at the end of the test.

• Product identification and use class
• Method and product standards applied
• Number of cycles and load levels
• Interim-stage observations
• End-of-test assessment and photographs

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• EU 2001/95/EC General Product Safety Directive
• Regulation on the General Safety of Products
• Requirements of product standards such as EN 12520 / EN 1730

The section below describes the field that the Durability test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• Strength
• Stability
• Fatigue
• Surface Resistance
• Load Test
• Bunk Bed Safety
• Chair Test
• Table Test
• Cabinet Test
• Impact
• Flammability
• Formaldehyde