Analysis of Different Chair Armrest Durability Testing Standards
Dec 11, 2025
Analysis of Different Chair Armrest Durability Testing Standards
When working in an office, a chair not only fulfills the basic function of “being able to sit,” but also bears the comprehensive requirements of long-term use, safety, reliability, and stable load-bearing capacity. Especially for the chair armrest, during repeated support, leaning, upward pulling and other daily actions, insufficient strength can easily lead to loosening or even breakage, creating safety hazards. Therefore, Chair Armrest Durability testing has become an essential procedure before various chair products enter the market.
To make the test more reliable and closer to real usage scenarios, the industry has established different testing standards, such as the EN series, ISO 7173, BIFMA X5.1, GB/T 10357, etc., all of which clearly define requirements for force, frequency, angle, loading methods and more. This article will systematically introduce the armrest durability requirements in these standards and, combined with the actual functions of the Chair Armrest Durability Testing Machine, provide an in-depth analysis of the overall framework for seat durability testing.
I. Why Is Armrest Durability Testing So Important?
In daily life, the armrest is one of the chair components that bears the most frequent forces. People use it to help themselves stand up or sit down, and they may lean on it to rest. Some office chairs also have adjustable angles, posing even higher demands on armrest strength. If the armrest quality is substandard, structural looseness or breakage may occur, resulting in fall risks.
II. The Role of Armrest Durability Testing Equipment
The Chair Armrest Durability Testing Machine simulates pressure, angle, frequency, and loading modes encountered in actual use to perform long-term durability testing on the armrest, backrest, seat surface, and other parts of a chair.
Simulates force in multiple directions and angles
Enables long-time, repetitive durability loading
Fulfills different testing standards through parameter settings
Compatible with various chair types, including office chairs, training chairs, recliners, etc.
III. Functions of the Testing Machine
The Chair Armrest Durability Testing Machine features multiple testing capabilities. Driven by servo motors and air cylinders, it achieves high-precision loading. The main test items include:
Armrests Vertical static load test;
10° angle handrail durability test;
Seat front edge static load and durability tests;
Vertical static load test on backrests;
Foot rest static load and durability testing;
Leg rest static load test;
Armrest upward static load test (need to tie the weight test);
WordPad vertical static load and durability test.
Additional seating and leg static load test for the reclining chair
Recliner chair additional seat surface durability test
IV. Requirements of Different Testing Standards for Armrest Durability
Different regions around the world have their own furniture safety standards, but the purpose remains the same: ensuring product safety and sufficient durability. Below is an overview of the core armrest durability requirements across major standards.
1. EN 1728:2012 — European Standard for Seat Strength and Durability
EN 1728 is one of the most widely applied furniture testing standards in Europe, targeting both household and non-household seating.
Key features of armrest tests include:
Vertical loading on armrests
Horizontal inward and outward durability tests
Different force values for different chair categories (usage level-based)
Typically more than 20,000 loading cycles
This standard emphasizes “long-term usage simulation” with high testing intensity.
2. EN 1335-3:2009 — Durability Standard for Office Chairs
Designed mainly for office swivel chairs and height-adjustable chairs.
Armrest test focus:
Vertical pressure load capacity
Structural stability during adjustment
Durability cycles usually exceeding 60,000
This standard focuses more on the structural stability of complex office chairs.
3. EN 1729-2:2012 — Durability Testing for Educational Seating
Targeting schools and training centers.
Armrest requirements are stricter due to higher usage frequency and more unpredictable user behavior.
Key points:
Emphasis on impact resistance
High-cycle durability
Strict deformation limits
4. EN 581-2:2015 — Outdoor Furniture Testing Standard
Outdoor chair armrests face environmental changes, so this standard is more stringent:
Strength testing after temperature and humidity changes
Lateral bending resistance of armrests
High durability cycles
5. ISO 7173:1989 — International Standard for Seating
ISO standards provide fundamental testing requirements suitable for many furniture categories.
Armrest tests include:
Vertical static load
Forward/sideward durability
Multi-angle force simulation
Many national standards reference ISO.
6. GB/T 10357.3 — Chinese Standard for Furniture Strength
In China’s national standard, armrest tests include:
Static loading
Horizontal inward and outward forces
Durability cycles depending on chair type
The standard follows EN and ISO strictly.
7. BIFMA X5.1-2011 — North American Office Furniture Standard
BIFMA is a globally recognized standard, especially in North America.
Armrest test features:
High loading strength (often stricter than EN)
Repetitive cycles up to 100,000
Emphasis on upward pulling force and horizontal loading
Applied extensively in corporate and commercial office chairs.
8. EN 16139-2013 — Non-Domestic Seating Standard
Applied to high-frequency environments such as airports, waiting halls, and hospitals.
Armrest requirements:
High-intensity vertical and horizontal load tests
Strong emphasis on fatigue testing
Broad applicability for commercial seating
V. How the Chair Testing Machine Meets These Standard Requirements
The main body size of our Chair Armrest Durability Testing Machine has increased a lot and can be applied to the relevant test of the recliner.
The main structure of the furniture testing machine is made of aluminum, beautiful and easy to maintain.
Servo motor and air cylinder drive, the test loading control is more accurate, and the noise is even smaller.
Using PLC touch screen control, operation more convenient.
In addition, the furniture testing machine loading device using electric control movements, more extensive test space.
