ISO 7173:2023

Furniture — Chairs and stools — Determination of strength and durability

This document specifies test methods for the determination of strength and durability of the structure of all types of seating without specific regard to end use, materials, design/construction or manufacturing process. This document does not apply to children’s highchairs, table mounted chairs and bath seats. Test methods for the assessment of ageing, degradation, ergonomics and electrical functions are not included. The test methods are not intended to assess the durability of upholstery materials.

Ameublement — Chaises et tabourets — Détermination de la résistance et de la durabilité

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Aug-2023
• ICS: 97.140 - Furniture
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 136 - Furniture
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 136/WG 1 - Chairs - Methods of test
• Current Stage: 9092 - International Standard to be revised
• Start Date: 03-Jun-2025
• Completion Date: 07-Jun-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 7173:1989 - Furniture — Chairs and stools — Determination of strength and durability
• Effective Date: 03-Jun-2017

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7173
Second edition
2023-08
Furniture — Chairs and stools —
Determination of strength and
durability
Ameublement — Chaises et tabourets — Détermination de la
résistance et de la durabilité
Reference number
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General test conditions .3
4.1 Preliminary preparation . 3
4.2 Application of forces . 3
4.3 Tolerances . 3
5 Test equipment and apparatus .4
5.1 General . 4
5.2 Seat loading point template. 4
5.3 Floor . 7
5.4 Stops . 7
5.5 Seat loading pad. 7
5.6 Smaller seat loading pad . 7
5.7 Back loading pad . 8
5.8 Local loading pad. 8
5.9 Foam for use with loading pads . 8
5.10 Seat impactor . 8
5.10.1 General . 8
5.10.2 Circular body . 8
5.10.3 Springs . 9
5.10.4 Striking surface . 9
5.11 Impact hammer . 9
5.12 Armrest durability test apparatus . 10
5.13 Test surface for castor testing . 11
5.14 Front load locator device . 11
5.15 Loading discs . . 11
6 Test procedures – Seating other than work chairs .11
6.1 General . 11
6.2 Determination of seat and back loading points .12
6.2.1 General .12
6.2.2 Seating with a backrest .12
6.2.3 Seating without a backrest .12
6.3 Determination of angle of backrest inclination . . 13
6.4 Seat static load and backrest static load test . 14
6.4.1 General . 14
6.4.2 Seating with rocking runners . 15
6.5 Seat front edge static load test . 16
6.6 Vertical load test on backrests . 16
6.7 Horizontal forward static load test on backrests. 17
6.8 Footrest static load test . 17
6.9 Apply a vertical force by means of the local loading pad (5.8) — Legrest static load
test . 18
6.10 Armrest sideways static load test . 18
6.11 Arm rest downwards static load test . 19
6.12 Headrest static load test . 20
6.13 Vertical upwards static load test on armrests . 20
6.13.1 Seating which can be moved when occupied . 20
6.13.2 Stacking seating . 20
6.14 Vertical static load test on auxiliary writing surfaces . 20
6.15 Leg forward static load test . 20
iii
6.16 Leg sideways static load test .22
6.17 Combined seat and backrest durability test . 23
6.17.1 General .23
6.17.2 Seating with rocking runners . 24
6.18 Seat front edge durability test . 26
6.19 Durability test on outdoor seating with a multi-position backrest . 27
6.20 Armrest durability test .28
6.21 Footrest durability test .28
6.22 Auxiliary writing surfaces durability test .28
6.23 Tipping seat operation test .28
6.24 Seat impact test .29
6.25 Backrest impact test . 29
6.26 Armrest impact test .30
6.27 Drop tests . 31
6.27.1 Drop test for multiple seat units . 31
6.27.2 Drop test for stacking seating . 32
6.27.3 Drop test from the height of a table . 33
6.28 Backward fall test . 33
6.29 Castor and chair base durability test .34
6.29.1 Castor and chair base durability test for chairs with castors on all legs .34
6.29.2 Castor and chair base durability test for chairs with castor and glide
combinations .34
6.30 Rolling resistance test of the unloaded chair .
...