Top 3 Reasons To Invest In Commercial Grade Furniture

It can be tough when you’re starting your own business – so many details to attend to, lead times to take into account, and of course trying to stay within your budget. Plus, you want your place to look a certain way, to evoke certain feelings within your clientele. Along that line, let's talk about why it's best to pay a bit more for commercial grade furniture than to buy residential grade furniture. I’m going to simplify the benefits and characteristics of commercial grade furniture for you. You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure.

Sure, residential grade furnishings are cheaper, at least in the moment. However, over the long run contract (a.k.a. commercial) grade furniture will give you a greater return on your investment.

Here's Why:

~ Commercial grade furniture is always designed to be durable, easily maintained, 
    and have lasting value. It is ideal for when a business cannot budget for new 
    furniture every few years.

~ Contract furniture is meant to be used anywhere there are large numbers of 

    people who will use it daily, and/or where there may be large weight differences 

    among those users.

~ Commercial furniture takes into account the rough movements, multiple uses, 

    and environmental stressors that furnishings encounter, and reduces their 

    impact by using scratch-resistant surfaces, non-corrosive materials, mortise-

    and-tenon joinery, and UV-resistant fabrics.

Now for the technical specs for contract grade chairs and tables, as mandated by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA):

CHAIR STANDARDS: 
 1. Back Strength Functional Load - the chair is restrained from movement and 150 lb of force is applied to the chair back for a period of one minute. The chair passes if there is no structural breakage or loss of serviceability, including stacking ability.

2. Back Strength Proof Load - the chair is restrained from movement and 250 lb of force is applied to the chair back. The chair passes if there is no sudden change in the structural integrity of the product. Loss of serviceability is acceptable.

3.  Stability Test (Backward) - a 173 lb weight is strapped to the chair as if an adult male was sitting in the chair. The rear legs of the chair are blocked. A rear load is applied to the chair until the total weight is transferred to the rear legs. The chair passes if the force required is greater than 35 lb.

4. Stability Test (Forward) -  the front legs of the chair are blocked and a force is applied downward at 45-degrees from the surface of the seat. The chair passes if the force required is greater than 40% of the total chair weight.

5. Chair Strength Functional Load (Side) - the entire chair is restrained on its side. A 75 lb weight is applied one inch from the bottom of the front leg for one minute. This is repeated on the back leg. The chair passes if there is no structural breakage or loss of serviceability. 

6. Chair Leg Strength Proof Load (Side) - the entire chair is restrained on its side. A 115 lb weight is applied one inch from the bottom of the front leg for one minute. This is repeated on the back leg. The chair passes if there is no sudden change in the structural integrity of the product. Loss of serviceability is acceptable.

7. Chair Drop Functional Load - a 225 lb weight is positioned six inches above the seat of the chair and allowed to free-fall onto the center of the seat. The chair passes if there is no structural breakage or loss of serviceability. 

8.  Chair Drop Proof Load - a 300 lb weight is positioned six inches above the seat of the chair and allowed to free-fall onto the center of the seat. The chair passes if there is no sudden change in the structural integrity of the product. Loss of serviceability is acceptable. 

9. Seating Impact Test - a 125 lb weight is dropped from a height of two inches onto the surface of the chair seat for 100,000 cycles. The chair passes if there is no structural breakage or loss of serviceability. 

TABLE STANDARDS: 
1. Concentrated Functional Load - specified weight (depending on table characteristics and dimensions) is applied one inch from the edge of the table in a concentrated 12 inch diameter area. The table passes if there is no loss of serviceability after 60 minutes.

2. Concentrated Proof Load - specified weight (depending on table dimensions and characteristics) is applied one inch from the edge of the table in a concentrated 12 inch diameter area. The table passes if there is no sudden change in the structural integrity of the product after 15 minutes. 

3. Distributed Functional Load - specified weight (depending on table characteristics and dimensions) is applied eight inches from the edges of the table in an even distribution over the table's surface. The table passes if there is no loss of serviceability after 60 minutes.

4. Distributed Proof Load - specified weight (depending on the table dimensions and characteristics) is applied eight inches from the edges of the table in an even distribution over the table's surface. The table passes if there is no sudden change in the structural integrity of the table after 60 minutes. Loss of serviceability is acceptable. 

5. Top Load Ease - specified weight (depending  on the table characteristics and dimensions) is lifted and set one inch from the edge of the table for a total of 20,000 cycles. The table passes if there is no loss of serviceability,

6.  Table Leg Drop - one end of the table is lifted to a height of 10 inches and allowed to free fall to the standing position. The table passes if there is no loss of serviceability. 

 7. Functional Leg Strength - the table is laid on its top with the legs in the locked position. Specified weight (depending on table dimensions and characteristics) is applied by pulling inward and outward, as well as left and right on the legs. The table passes if there is not loss of serviceability.

8. Proof Leg Strength - the table is laid on its top with the legs in the locked position. Specified weight (depending on table characteristics and dimensions) is applied by pulling inward and outward, as well as left and right on the legs. The table passes if there is no sudden change in the structural integrity of the product. Loss of serviceability is acceptable. 
 

Visit us at www.ContractFurniture.com for the latest designs in commercial grade furniture!