DRAFT FOR DEVELOPMENT DD ENV

14443:2004

Domestic furniture —
Seating — Test methods
for the determination of
durability of upholstery

ICS 97. 1 40

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DD ENV 14443:2004

National foreword
This Draft for Development is the official E nglish language version of
E NV 1 4443: 2004.

This publication is not to be regarded as a British Standard.

It is b eing issued in the Draft for Development series of pub lications and is of
a provisional nature b ecause the E uropean test method has b een developed in
order that lab oratories and manufacturers can carry out testing of upholstered
seating in the same manner so that test results may b e comp ared.

It has b een the intention to include an annex with test methods for textiles and
leather, b ut suitab le CE N standards are not yet availab le.

This E uropean Pre-standard does not include test methods for arms and b acks
of upholstered furniture. During the E NV p eriod (3 years) memb er countries
are asked to investigate into the need for such test methods and if needed to
sub mit proposals for the future revision.

It should b e app lied on this p rovisional b asis, so that information and

experience of its p ractical app lication may b e ob tained.

Comments arising from the use of this Draft for Develop ment are requested so
that UK experience can b e rep orted to the E uropean organization responsib le
for its conversion to a E uropean Standard. A review of this pub lication will b e
initiated 2 years after its p ub lication b y the E uropean organization so that a
decision can b e taken on its status at the end of its 3-year life. Notification of
the start of the review p eriod will b e made in an announcement in the
ap p ropriate issue ofUpdate Standards .

According to the rep lies received b y the end of the review period, the
resp onsib le BSI Committee will decide whether to supp ort the conversion into
a E uropean Standard, to extend the life of the Technical Sp ecification or to
withdraw it. Comments should b e sent in writing to the Secretary of BSI
Technical Committee FW/2, Domestic and Contract F urniture, at 389 Chiswick
High Road, London W4 4AL, giving the document reference and clause numb er
and p roposing, where p ossib le, an app ropriate revision of the text.

A list of organizations rep resented on this committee can b e ob tained on

request to its secretary.

Cross-references
The British Standards which implement international or E uropean
p ub lications referred to in this document may b e found in the BSI Catalogue
under the section entitled “International Standards Correspondence Index” , or
b y using the “Search” facility of theBSI Electronic Catalogue or of
British Standards Online.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the E NV title
page, p ages 2 to 1 5 and a b ack cover.

The BSI copyright notice disp layed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.

This Draft for D eve lop me nt

was p ub lished under the
authority of the Standards
Policy and Strate gy Committe e
Amendments issued since publication
on 28 July 2004
Amd. No. Date Comments

© BSI 28 July 2004

ISBN 0 580 44163 6

EUROPEAN PRESTANDARD ENV 1 4443
PRÉNORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE VORNORM March 2004

ICS 97.1 40

English version

Domestic furniture - Seating - Test methods for the

determination of durability of upholstery
Meubles à usage domestique - Sièges - Méthodes d'essai Möbel für den Wohnbereich - Polstermöbel - Prüfverfahren
pour la détermination de la durabilité du rembourrage zur Bestimmung der Dauerhaltbarkeit der Sitzpolsterung
am Möbel

This European Prestandard (ENV) was approved by CEN on 2 January 2004 as a prospective standard for provisional application.
The period of validity of this ENV is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the ENV can be converted into a European Standard.
CEN members are required to announce the existence of this ENV in the same way as for an EN and to make the ENV available promptly
at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the ENV) until the final
decision about the possible conversion of the ENV into an EN is reached.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALIS ATION
E U R O P Ä I S C H E S K O M I T E E FÜ R N O R M U N G

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1 050 Brussels

© 2004 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. ENV 1 4443:2004: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

Contents page

Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
1 Scope ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Normative references ........................................................................................................................... 5
3 Terms and definitions........................................................................................................................... 5
4 General test conditions ........................................................................................................................ 6
4.1 Preliminary preparation........................................................................................................................ 6
4.2 Tolerances ............................................................................................................................................. 6
4.3 Sequence of testing .............................................................................................................................. 6
5 Test equipment ..................................................................................................................................... 7
5.1 Floor surface ......................................................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Stops ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
5.3 Loading pad........................................................................................................................................... 7
5.4 Equipment for recording the load/deflection curves. ....................................................................... 7
6 Test methods......................................................................................................................................... 7
6.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 7
6.1 .1 Cushions with loose fillings ................................................................................................................ 8
6.2 Durability test ........................................................................................................................................ 8
6.3 Load/deflection curve........................................................................................................................... 9
7 Evaluation of characteristic parameters ............................................................................................ 9
7.1 Determination of height loss ............................................................................................................... 9
7.2 Determination of hardness value ........................................................................................................ 9
8 Test report ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1
Annex A (informative) Test method for testing the interaction of upholstery components...................... 1 2
A.1 Test equipment ................................................................................................................................... 1 2
A.2 Test procedure .................................................................................................................................... 1 2
A.3 Inspection ............................................................................................................................................ 1 2

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 ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

Foreword
This document (ENV 1 4443:2004) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 207 "Furniture", the
secretariat of which is held by UNI.
Annex A is informative.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this European Prestandard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and United Kingdom.

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ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

Introduction
This European test method has been developed in order that laboratories and manufacturers can carry out
testing of upholstered seating in the same manner so that test results may be compared.
It has been the intention to include an annex with test methods for textiles and leather, but suitable CEN
standards are not yet available.
This European Prestandard does not include test methods for arms and backs of upholstered furniture. During
the ENV period (3 years) member countries are asked to investigate into the need for such test methods and if
needed to submit proposals for the future revision.

4
 ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

1 Scope
This European Prestandard specifies a test method for the determination of durability of upholstery complete
and on the seating.
Test methods are specified for seat durability and for the determination of hardness and height loss.

It does not apply to the strength and durability of the structure of the seating, which is covered by EN 1 728.

The effect of temperature and moisture are not included.

Annex A (informative) includes a test method for testing the interaction between the cover and the underlying
upholstery as well as the interaction between the seat and back upholstery.

2 Normative references
This European Prestandard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to
this European Prestandard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references,
the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including amendments).
EN 1 728 Domestic furniture – Seating – Test methods for the determination of strength and durability.
ISO 1 1 01 Technical drawings - Geometrical tolerancing - Tolerancing of form, orientation, location and run-
out -Generalities, definitions, symbols, indications on drawings.

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this European Prestandard the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
upholstery
all materials used for covering the structure, e.g. leather, textiles and other cover materials as well as
wadding, foam materials, fibre materials, springs, suspensions, and cushions
3.2
durability test
test simulating the repeated application of loads occurring during long term use and intended to reproduce the
change of the properties of the test unit caused by repeated loadings
3.3
load/deflection curve
curve obtained by pressing a loading pad into the test unit and measuring the associated values of indentation
and force simultaneously
3.4
hardness value (H)
value in N/mm determined from the load/deflection curve

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ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

3.5
seat upholstery reference height
height of the seat upholstery top surface from a fixed datum under specified conditions
3.6
height loss
change in the upholstery height caused by the seat durability test (cf. EN 1 728)

4 General test conditions

4.1 Preliminary preparation
Before any of the tests are commenced, the test unit shall be old enough to ensure that it has developed its
full strength.
The test unit shall be tested as delivered. Knock-down furniture shall be assembled according to the
instructions supplied with it. If the test unit can be assembled in different ways, the most adverse combination
shall be used. Knock-down fittings shall be tightened before testing, if applicable.
Further tightening shall not take place unless this is specifically required by the manufacturer.
The test unit shall be stored in indoor ambient conditions for at least one week immediately prior to testing.
Any deviation from this procedure shall be stated in the test report.
The tests shall be carried out in indoor conditions but if during a test the atmospheric temperature is outside
the range 1 5° C to 25° C, the maximum and/or minimum temperature shall be recorded in the test report.
If necessary, with the exception of the test in annex A, cushions shall be prevented from moving during testing
by a suitable means, e.g. adhesive tape or needles.

4.2 Tolerances
Unless otherwise stated:
- all forces and velocities shall have an accuracy of ± 5%,
- all masses an accuracy of ± 0,5% and
- all dimensions an accuracy of ± 1 mm.
The tolerance for positioning of loading pads shall be ± 5 mm.

4.3 Sequence of testing

The tests shall be carried out in the sequence laid down in this prestandard. All tests shall be carried out on
the same test unit.

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 ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

5 Test equipment
5.1 Floor surface
Rigid, horizontal and flat.

5.2 Stops
Stops shall be used to prevent the test unit from sliding but not tilting and shall be no higher than 1 2 mm
except in cases where the design of the unit necessitates the use of higher stops; in which case the lowest
that will prevent the test unit from moving, shall be used.

5.3 Loading pad

The loading pad shall have a smooth surface with a spherical radius of 800 mm and a diameter of 300 mm
and shall be mounted to the loading system of the test equipment by a ball joint as close as possible to the
loading surface.
The shape of the loading pad shall be contained in a form tolerance zone according to ISO 1 1 01 of 1 mm. The
diameter of the loading pad shall not vary from the nominal dimension by more than ± 2 mm.

5.4 Equipment for recording the load/deflection curves.

The equipment for recording the load/deflection curves shall be a loading pad (5.3) and a testing machine
capable of applying a vertical downward load up to 1 000 N.
The travel speed for both loading and unloading shall be (90 ± 5) mm/minute.
Load and height with reference to a fixed datum shall be recorded simultaneously.
The accuracy of the height measuring system shall be ± 0,5 mm.
The accuracy of the load measuring system shall be 1 % of the maximum load (1 000 N).

6 Test methods
6.1 General
6.1 .1 Introduction
All tests and measurements shall be carried out on the complete unit standing on the floor surface (5.1 ).
The unit shall be inspected before and after the durability test (6.2) in order to detect changes caused by the
test.
Special attention shall be given to noise, tears in seams, seam splits, displacement or lumpiness in filling
materials, broken springs, protrusion of the springs as well as holes and tears in the seat inflicted by the
durability test. Any internal inspection shall be carried out only at the end of the test and after all
measurements have been taken.
In the case of designs not catered for in the test procedures, the test shall be carried out as far as possible as
described and the deviations shall be stated in the test report.

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ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

6.1 .2 Cushions with loose fillings

Cushions with loose fillings, e.g. feathers, down, polyurethane foam pieces, which during practical use shall
be "plumped-up" regularly, shall before testing and before each measurement be treated as follows:
a) The cushion shall be "plumped-up" as much as possible and the corners shall be stretched out
b) The cushion shall be positioned on the seat and shall be covered by a 1 9 mm thick particle board
which is just slightly smaller than the cushion
c) The particle board shall be loaded with a 20 kg mass for 2 min and shall be left unloaded for 2 min
after which the measurement shall take place. There shall be no further resting time.

6.2 Durability test

Testing of the seat shall be carried out as specified in EN 1 728. Where the loads and cycles are not pre-
determined, the following may be used for guidance:
Seat static load: 1 300 N
Seat durability load: 1 000 N applied 20,000 times.
Table 1
Test Time of measure- Measurement of hardness & height
step ment
Upholstery Height Hardness Hardness
change
height Change value
1 Before seat testing yes No yes no
according to EN
1 728 a
2 Intermediate yes Yes yes yes
measurement
(Only if required)
3 After seat testing yes Yes yes yes

a
Static and fatigue testing of the seat has to be carried out according to EN 1 728. EN 1 728
requires seat and back testing to be carried out in combination. However, if testing of the back
is not required, it may be omitted for the purpose of this prestandard.

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 ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

6.3 Load/deflection curve

The load/deflection curve shall be recorded using the equipment specified in 5.3 and 5.4.
The measuring point shall be the seat load application point of the fatigue test specified in EN 1 728.
The measuring procedure shall be:
-Before carrying out any measurements the test item shall be allowed to recover for at least 5 h.
-Preload at the measuring point to 1 000 N and unload 3 times with the time between each preload
cycle not exceeding 30 s. The measurement shall be taken within 30 s of the end of the last preload
cycle.
-The measurement shall consist of paired observations of deflection and load, whilst the load is
increased up to 1 000 N.
NOTE It can be of interest to record the hysteresis curve by taking load/deflection measurement with the load decreasing
from 1 000 N to 0.

7 Evaluation of characteristic parameters

7.1 General
The performance of seating is mainly determined by its resilience as well as the performance of its structural
components. The upholstery height loss and the change in the hardness value caused by the durability test
(6.2) are therefore taken as an indication of the durability.

7.2 Determination of height loss

The height loss shall be determined from the load/deflection curves obtained before and after the durability
test (6.2) at a force of 50 N.

7.3 Determination of hardness value

The hardness value (H) is the slope, in N/mm, of the load/deflection curve at a force of 600 N, see Figure 1 .

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ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

Key
A Load deflection curve
X Indentation depth [mm]
Y Force [N]

Figure 1 - Example of hardness value (slope of curve)

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 ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

8 Test report
The test report shall include at least the following information:
a) reference to this European Prestandard
b) details of the furniture and upholstery tested
c) any defects observed before testing
d) details of any deviations from this Prestandard
e) test results according to clauses 6 and 7
f) name and address of the test facility
g) date of testing

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ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

Annex A
(informative)
Test method for testing the interaction of upholstery components

A.1 Test equipment

A seat loading pad, in principle as described in EN 1 728, hinged to a back loading pad as shown in Figures
A.1 and A.2.
The hinge point should be as shown in Figures A.1 and A.3, and hinging should be so that upholstery
materials, e.g. textiles, leather, foam etc., are not trapped and/or torn by the moving parts.
The vertical edges and the top edge of the back loading pad should be rounded as shown in Figure A.2.
The seat load should be applied as described in EN 1 728 and the back load should be applied as shown in
Figures A.1 and A.3.
NOTE 1 The position of the back loading point is the same as in EN 1 728, but the back loading pad in this annex is
different from that in EN 1 728.

The seat and back pad assembly, with two loading devices, should be mounted below a carriage, which can
move freely on the longitudinal axis of the seat and on the horizontal plane, see Figure A.4.
NOTE 2 The plane of motion can be tilted slightly downwards towards the rear of the seat, just sufficiently to cause the
system to return to its rearmost position when unloaded. When unloaded the seat and back loading pads should be
horizontal and vertical respectively.

The seat and back loads should be applied as described in EN 1 728, i.e. the seat load should be vertical and
the back load should be perpendicular to the back when this is fully loaded.

A.2 Test procedure

The seat and back loads should be as specified in EN 1 728.
The seating should be placed so that, when the system is unloaded and in its most rearward position, the seat
load will be applied at the seat loading position as specified in EN 1 728.
The seat load should be followed by the back load, and both loads should be maintained for 30 min.
At the end of the loading period the loads should be released and reapplied after the apparatus has returned
to its starting position.
The procedure should be carried out for 50 cycles.

A.3 Inspection
Before and after the test, the position of cushions and upholstery should be thoroughly inspected.

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 ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

Key
1 Top
2 Back position
3 Back load
4 Bottom Front
5 Rear
6 Seat load
7 Seat portion
8 Front
Figure A.1 - Seat and back loading pad

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ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

dimensions in millimetres

Key
1 For the section on the centre line and inside the area bounded by a dotted line (see Figure A.1 )

Figure A.2 - Back loading pad

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 ENV 1 4443:2004 (E)

Figure A.3 - Seat and back assembly

Key
1 Linear ball bearing

Figure A.4 - Principle of mounting the test equipment

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DD ENV
14443:2004
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