Your 5-Step Checklist When Purchasing School Furniture. Does Your Furniture Comply?

When it comes to purchasing furniture for your classroom, your primary concerns are probably appearance and cost.  Given many schools are faced with tight budgets, focusing solely on price can end up costing you more in the long run.  For example, considering the ergonomics of your next piece of furniture can dramatically decrease stress and fatigue, ensuring enhanced comfort and increased productivity for your students.

The following five considerations can help you make the best decision when making your next purchase.

1. Product Durability

An important factor to consider when placing your next classroom order is the durability of the product.  You can save time and money by asking these simple questions:

1. Will it be easy to clean? Keep in mind students may drop or spill items on chairs and tables.  Is plastic a better option over fabric given the age-group of your classroom?
2. Is the product durable? You don’t want to be replacing furniture more than necessary.
3. Does the product come with a warranty, and if so, how long is the warranty?

2. Emission-free

Unfortunately, some inexpensive furniture options could be causing your students more harm than good.  Some Laminex products contain and emit small traces of formaldehyde, meaning your kids are potentially breathing in harmful toxins.

Office Line provides furniture options that have been tested against any toxic emissions, ensuring your students are breathing in air that is clean and safe.

3. Product Stability

School room furniture is renowned to take a beating from time to time.  Choosing a chair or desk that meets the AFRDI certification ensures extensive weight-bearing and high-use testing has been carried out.  Should your students place excessive weight on one chair leg (as they often do), buying correctly tested products will ensure the chair doesn’t collapse.

4. Comfort and Ergonomics

The most attractive school desk or chair is not necessarily always the best choice.  Considering the average student spends on average 4.5 hours per day seated, the support capabilities of a chair will ensure enhanced comfort and productivity. 

 We need to protect student’s growing spines, so by choosing a design sufficient support you can reduce any unnecessary strain.

5. Safety First

AS/NZS 4610 is the Australian standard for furniture specific to schools and covers strength, durability and safety. The AFRDI (Australasian Furnishing Research & Development Institute) blue tick ensures furniture meets the highest quality testing standards to ensure they are ergonomically sound, tough, durable and safe.

Other international standards that apply to educational furniture include the European Standard certification under EN1729 Parts 1 and 2.  This certification also ensures furniture supplied to educational institutions is ergonomic, stable, durable and safe.

Keep in mind these certifications when placing your next order.

Office Line supplies an extensive range of quality, durable products that meet the above requirements.  Take a look at our extensive range here or contact us to speak with someone who can assist with any queries you may have.

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