ISO 7171:2019

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 7171
Second edition
2019-02
Furniture — Storage units — Test
methods for the determination of
stability
Ameublement — Éléments de rangement — Méthodes d'essai pour la
détermination de la stabilité
Reference number
ISO 7171:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019

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ISO 7171:2019(E)

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© ISO 2019
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Published in Switzerland
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ISO 7171:2019(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General test conditions . 3
4.1 Preliminary preparations . 3
4.2 Application of forces . 3
4.3 Tolerances . 3
4.4 Prevention of movement during test . 4
4.5 Loading . 4
5 Test equipment and apparatus . 4
6 Stability tests . 4
6.1 General . 4
6.2 Doors, extension elements and flaps closed, all storage units unloaded . 5
6.2.1 Units that are or can be adjusted to a height of 1 000 mm or less . 5
6.2.2 Units that are or can be adjusted to a height of more than 1 000 mm . 5
6.3 Opening doors, extension elements and flaps, all storage units unloaded . 6
6.4 Doors, extension elements and flaps opened and unlocked . 7
6.4.1 All storage areas unloaded and all doors, extension elements and flaps open . 7
6.4.2 All storage areas unloaded with overturning load . 8
6.4.3 All storage areas loaded with overturning load . 9
6.5 Doors, extension elements and flaps closed and locked, all storage units loaded.10
6.6 Dynamic stability test for units with castors .11
6.7 Strength test for wall attachments .12
7 Test report .13
Annex A (informative) Loads and forces for storage furniture stability tests .14
Annex B (informative) Purpose and the applicability of test methods .18
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ISO 7171:2019(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
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expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 136, Furniture.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 7171:1988), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— Definitions have been added;
— Figures have been added;
— Table 1 has been moved into the standard from an informative annex;
— Wherever possible, test descriptions have been clarified for ease of use;
— Annex A has been revised with load and forces for different applications;
— A new Annex B has been added.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 7171:2019(E)
Furniture — Storage units — Test methods for the
determination of stability
1 Scope
This document specifies test methods for determining the stability of free-standing storage units that
are fully assembled and ready for use.
The test results are only valid for the unit/component tested. These results can be used to represent
the performance of production models provided that the tested model is representative of the
production model.
This document specifies test methods only. It does not specify requirements for specific forces that
the storage unit must withstand without overturning. It is intended that these be specified in a
requirements document.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
3.1
extension element
component (3.13) that can be pulled out and pushed in
EXAMPLE Drawers, suspended pocket files, keyboard trays.
3.2
flap
horizontally hinged door, which opens upwards or downwards
3.3
free standing unit
unit (3.6) not intended to be attached to a load bearing structure
3.4
interlock
device which restrains the opening of more than one extension element (3.1) at a time
3.5
levelling device
adjustable device intended to keep the item of furniture perpendicular to the floor
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ISO 7171:2019(E)

3.6
unit
complete item of furniture intended to be tested
Note 1 to entry: This includes but is not limited to: bookcases, wardrobes, cabinets, wall-mounted or exterior-
mounted elements, freestanding and mobile pedestals, lateral and vertical files.
3.7
clear height
unobstructed height above the top of the bottom surface or the structure of the unit (3.6)
Note 1 to entry: The top of the extension element bottom and the lower edge of the extension element above, or
the structure of the unit (see Figure 1).
Key
1 structure of the unit
2 extension element
H clear height
Figure 1 — Clear height
3.8
locking mechanism
mechanism that limits access to the interior of a unit (3.6) or a storage element and whose activation
requires a key or a combination
3.9
worst case
condition most likely to cause the unit (3.6) to overturn
3.10
suspended filing pocket
extendible element usually without a bottom such that contents are suspended by a frame
3.11
wall attachment
type of device to secure the unit (3.6) to a wall or other fixed structure to prevent tip over
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ISO 7171:2019(E)

3.12
height adjustment device
device intended to enable variation in height of a unit (3.6), such as a work top
3.13
component
part of a unit (3.6) including hardware
EXAMPLE Extension elements (3.1), doors and flaps (3.2).
4 General test conditions
4.1 Preliminary preparations
The unit(s)/component(s) shall be tested as delivered. The unit(s)/component(s) shall be assembled
and/or configured according to the instructions supplied. Unless otherwise stated, the most adverse
configuration shall be used for each test. If mounting or assembly instructions are not supplied, the
mounting or assembly method shall be recorded in the test report. Fittings shall be tightened before
testing and shall not be re-tightened. If the configuration needs to be changed to produce the worst-
case conditions, this shall be recorded in the test report.
During testing, the unit shall be placed on the floor and levelled, unless otherwise specified. Levelling
devices shall be set to the mid position but not more than 13 mm from the fully closed position.
Unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, the sample for test shall be stored in indoor ambient
conditions for at least 24 hours immediately prior to testing.
Annex B explains the purpose and the applicability of the test methods that this document contains.
4.2 Application of forces
The test forces shall be applied sufficiently slowly to ensure that negligible dynamic force is applied.
The forces can be replaced by masses. The relationship 10 N = 1 kg shall be used.
Annex A suggests loads and forces to ensure that this document can be of use where no requirements
document is available or to assist in the development of one.
4.3 Tolerances
Unless otherwise stated, the following tolerances are applicable to the test equipment:
— Forces: ±5 % of the nominal force;
— Masses: ±1 % of the nominal mass;
— Dimensions: nominal dimension ±1 mm;
— Velocities: ±10 % of the nominal velocity;
— Angles: nominal angle ±2°.
The accuracy for the positioning of loading pads shall be ±5 mm.
Test forces, masses, dimensions, velocities and angles used to perform the test shall be targeted at the
nominal values specified and shall be subjected to the above tolerances.
NOTE For the purposes of uncertainty measurement, test results are not considered to be adversely affected
when the above tolerances are met.
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ISO 7171:2019(E)

4.4 Prevention of movement during test
If a free standing unit tends to slide during the tests, the unit shall be restrained by stops (5.2), which
do not prevent overturning.
4.5 Loading
Unless otherwise specified, all storage components shall be uniformly loaded with the load(s) specified
in Table 1.
Table 1 — Loads for stability testing
Component Load
2
All horizontal storage areas, including shelves, bottoms, tops and flaps 0,325 kg/dm
3
Extension elements, trays and baskets with clear height (3.7), H, ≤1 dm: 0,2 kg/dm
3
Extension elements, trays and baskets with clear height (3.7), H, between 1 dm (0,266 7 – 0,066 7H) kg/dm
and 2,5 dm (H in dm):
3
Extension elements, trays and baskets with clear height (3.7), H, ≥2,5 dm: 0,1 kg/dm
Hanging rails 2 kg/dm
Suspended filing pockets 1,25 kg/dm
5 Test equipment and apparatus
Unless otherwise specified, the tests can be applied by any suitable device, because results are
dependent only upon correctly applied forces and not on the apparatus.
The equipment shall not inhibit deformation of the unit/component, i.e. it shall be able to move so that
it can follow the deformation of the unit/component during testing, so that the loads are always applied
at the specified points and in the specified directions.
5.1 Floor surface, consisting of a rigid, horizontal and flat surface.
5.2 Stops, consisting of devices to prevent the article from sliding but not tilting. The lowest height
that will prevent the item from moving shall be used.
5.3 Masses, which shall be designed so that they do not reinforce the structure or re-distribute the
stresses.
5.4 Loads for filing pockets. Suspended filing pockets shall be loaded with filing paper or an
equivalent alternative.
5.5 Loading pads, consisting of rigid discs 100 mm in diameter, with a flat face and a 12 mm front
edge blend radius. Where space prevents the use of a 100 mm diameter loading pad, a 50 mm diameter
loading pad with similar properties can be used.
6 Stability tests
6.1 General
The stability tests shall be carried out with the unit placed on the test floor (5.1).
Units for which the manufacturer’s instructions state that they are to be placed against a wall or other
rigid vertical structure shall not be tested in the rearward’s direction. Castors and height adjustment
devices shall be in the position most likely to cause the unit to overturn.
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ISO 7171:2019(E)

6.2 Doors, extension elements and flaps closed, all storage units unloaded
6.2.1 Units that are or can be adjusted to a height of 1 000 mm or less
Apply the specified vertical force by means of the loading pad on the top surface acting 50 mm from the
outer edge of the unit at any point likely to cause overturning.
Record if the unit overturns or is supported by an open extension element, opened door or opened flap.
If, during testing, the unit is prevented from overturning by an extension element, open door or flap,
the component shall be closed and the test repeated.
a) Vertical force 50 mm from the front b) Vertical force 50 mm from the back
Key
a
Force.
Figure 2 — Examples of units that are or can be adjusted to a height of 1 000 mm or less
6.2.2 Units that are or can be adjusted to a height of more than 1 000 mm
Apply a vertical force of 350 N together with the specified outward horizontal force on the top surface
acting 50 mm from the outer edge of the unit at any point likely to cause overturning.
Record if the unit overturns or is supported by an open extension element, opened door or opened flap.
If, during testing, the unit is prevented from overturning by an extension element, open door or flap,
the component shall be closed and the test repeated.
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ISO 7171:2019(E)

a) Vertical force 50 mm from the front and out- b) Vertical force 50 mm from the back and out-
ward horizontal force acting forward ward horizontal force acting backwards
Key
a
Force.
Figure 3 — Examples of units that are or can be adjusted to a height of more than 1 000 mm
6.3 Opening doors, extension elements and flaps, all storage units unloaded
Apply a horizontal force one at a time to all doors, extension elements or flaps just sufficient to open
them 40 mm. Then close the component before testing the next. The opening force shall be applied to
the centre of the handle, knob, key, etc.
For units with one door, the test shall be carried out with the door opened to its maximum but not more
than 90°.
When two or more doors are fitted, the test shall be carried out with the worst-case door opened to its
maximum but not more than 90°. All other doors shall be closed.
With the worst-case door open, open all extension elements and flaps behind that door, except where
there are no stops, in which case they shall be opened to two thirds of the internal length.
Locking mechanisms shall be unlocked.
Record if the unit overturns or is supported by an open extension element, opened door or opened flap.
If, during testing, the unit is prevented from overturning by an extension element, open door or flap,
the component shall be closed and the test repeated.
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ISO 7171:2019(E)

a) Horizontal force outwards from a b) Horizontal force outwards from a
closed door top drawer
Key
a
Force.
Figure 4 — Examples of units opening doors, extension element and flaps, all storage units
unloaded
6.4 Doors, extension elements and flaps opened and unlocked
6.4.1 All storage areas unloaded and all doors, extension elements and flaps open
All doors shall be opened to their maximum but not more than 90° and all extension elements
...