Testing - School Furniture 

Introduced in 2008, the FIRA School Furniture Certification Scheme builds on FIRA’s existing programmes for products and services, which are awarded where standards are surpassed. This is the first such scheme for furniture for educational institutions, and includes ergonomic, technical and sustainability factors which far exceed existing standards.

The FIRA Ergonomics Unit has worked with the Department of Education since 1970 and has undertaken two major studies measuring children in 1971 and 2001. The most recent study was used in the development of the latest British and European furniture standards for educational institutions, and FIRA experts represent the UK on all European educational furniture standards committees.

FIRA’s educational furniture experts are committed to the development of healthier, more versatile environments which are conductive to learning and meet the future needs of educational establishments.

The need for change

Recent years have seen major investment in education, but school furniture design has changed little post-war. The present climate of change and development in the education sector offers great opportunities to manufacturers, suppliers and specifiers.

There are currently only a limited number of standards for furniture in public sector school tenders. Detailed specification of furniture and equipment is often extremely vague, and there is no standard agreement promoting quality, longevity or procurement.

This need not be the case.

FIRA has always believed that carefully selected furniture and equipment will produce effective working environments which in turn will help deliver key organisational objectives, and this applies as much to the education sector as it does to efficiencies within commercial organisations. The FIRA Certification Scheme: School Furniture is obtained by suppliers and manufacturers and requested by specifiers and purchasers to make informed decisions.

To obtain a FIRA Certification for School Furniture manufacturers must meet requirements in a number of applicable areas:

• Ergonomics
• Structural strength, stability and durability
• Fabric performance
• Flammability
• Finishes, adhesion and environmental performance
• Quality management systems, environmental management systems and sustainability
• Annual ergonomics review and company visit

How does FIRA School Furniture Certification Scheme benefit you?

…as a specifier
• Universally accepted standard for school furniture;
• Provides a blueprint for fit for purpose, flexible and ergonomically designed furniture with a proven track record;
• Supports the current climate for quality in investment;
• Gives definitive information in an area which has been lacking in the past.

…as a manufacturer
• Identifies furniture ranges that are high quality and fit for purpose;
• Provides a competitive advantage over other suppliers;
• Social responsibility in knowing that the furniture produced is benefiting students, teachers and communities.

…as a school
• Encourages excellence by enabling greater flexibility in teaching/learning;
• Shows best practice in innovation in the approach to design and interactivity;
• Fit for purpose furniture with long term guarantees saves resources in the long term.

…as a teacher or student
• Safeguards wellbeing through appropriate ergonomics;
• Encourages creativity through flexibility and design;
• Shows care and respect for children.

For more details, please contact FIRA’s Ergonomics Unit on 01438 777700, email info@fira.co.uk

Further Links:

• Ergonomics and Young People
• Testing Childcare Products