The GSA FNEW 83-269E test is the most demanding and rigorous standard for testing intensive use chairs. Although other standards, such as the ANSI/BIFMA test, do exist, the FNEW 83-269E is the benchmark for quality and durability of these specialty chairs. Every aspect and component of a test chair is put under extreme use and examined for resistance to wear and durability.        

 

The FNEW 83-269E test has a thirty year history and has been in use since the early 1980s. It was originally developed by the Wood Research Laboratory, part of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources of Purdue University in 1978-1979. They were asked to develop this standard for intensive use chairs by the General Services Administration of the U.S. government to test and certify intensive use chairs. While the original intent of the test was to evaluate the durability of specialized office chairs, the standard now guides the design of a variety of office chair components, such as tilt mechanisms, joint constructions, and fasteners.

 

Generally, speaking the FNEW 83-269E involves subjecting a test chair to a variety of weights through a number of cycles. These weights are applied to the chair’s seats, backs, arms, and legs at a variety of angles. Weights are added in increasing amounts through cycles of 25,000 repetitions until an aspect or component of the chair exhibits damage. The FNEW 83-269E tests six different aspects of chairs through specialized procedures.

 

The FNEW 83-269E requires that a test chair undergo 1,000,000 minimum cycles of the back mechanism fatigue test. In this test, the legs of the chair are immobilized and the back of the chair is attached to a strap that is attached to an air cylinder. The activation of the air cylinder pulls the backrest backwards. The test proceeds at a rate of 20 cycles per minute with a 50 pound load until the chair suffers damage.

 

Next, the FNEW 83-269E tests the arm of one chair through the application of vertical loads. This test is meant to simulate users pressing down on the armrest while sitting, rising, or even sitting on the armrest and is used to evaluate the strength of both the armrest and the chair spindle. The test chair is immobilized on a raised platform. Underneath, an air cylinder is mounted vertically with a strap that runs upward to attach to one of the test chair’s arms. Activation of the cylinder pulls the armrest downward at a rate of 200 cycles per minute, starting with a 100 pounds and adding an additional 50 pounds after every 25,000 cycles. To pass this test, the arm and spindle must be in working condition after the 250 pound cycle.

 

The FNEW 83-269E tests the seats, bases, and casters with a vertical load test that evaluates the seat structure and understructure. In this test, the chair is secured to a platform. Above the seat of the chair, a vertical dual wheel load head is attached to an air cylinder. When activated, the load head descends and applies downward pressure to the area of the seat where users would sit. Loads are applied at a rate of 20 cycles per minute. The test starts with a 200 pound load, which is increased in increments of 100 pounds every 25,000 cycles. The test is complete after the 1300 pound cycle.

 

The arms of the chair are additionally evaluated through side thrust tests meant to simulate a user sitting down, rising, or the chair being pulled or pushed sideways. The base of the chair is immobilized and the arm rests are attached by a strap to two horizontally mounted air cylinders, which pull the arms with equal pressure outwards. The arms are pulled at a rate of 20 cycles per minute, starting with a 50 pound load which is increased in increments of 25 pounds every 25,000 cycles. The test is complete after the 200 pound cycle.

 

The FNEW 83-269E tests the pneumatic seat height adjustment of the intensive use chair by applying weight to the chair’s seat while toggling the adjustment mechanism. The test chair is secured and an air cylinder is attached vertically above the chair, which pushes down a weight on the seat of the chair. In addition, a clamp is attached to one of the chair’s arms, which is holds an air cylinder that is attached to the pneumatic height adjustment. The test follows a four part cycles where the seat is loaded with 250 pounds, the weight is removed, the weight is reapplied with the adjustment mechanism enabled, and load is removed which allows the seat to rise to its highest possible position. Five of these cycles are completed each minute until achieving a total of 125,000 cycles.

 

Finally, the casters and chair base are tested to simulate a user rolling the seat back and forth. The test chair is placed on a moveable platform that is mounted with small obstacles. The back of the chair is attached to a horizontal arm, which fixes the body of the chair in place and the chair is weighted with a 300 pound load. The platform moves back and forth, which causes the casters to roll over a distance of 30-34 inches and during this time, the casters are able to move and swivel freely. A full cycle counts as one back and forth movement and the test is complete after 36,000 cycles without breakdown of the casters or chair base.

 

All DoMore intensive use chairs pass all of the FNEW 83-269E tests, meaning that they are certified with the highest possible standard of quality and durability. As the FNEW 83-269E testing regime is the most rigorous testing method, you can be assured that DoMore chairs are the highest quality and will last for many years in a severe use environment.