The History of Furniture Construction
Requirements for Safety of Use
The fulfilment of ergonomics requirements by school furniture still does not entitle them to be placed in a classroom. It is important that the product meets the expected usable requirements, which the specifics of schoolrooms and the nature of the pupil environment are presented with. Therefore, during the design process, it needs to be made sure that the surfaces of worktops of tables are finished with materials of high resistance to high temperatures, abrasion, scratches, impacts and discolouration, and also that they do not give off light reflections and enable easy maintenance of hygiene. It is also recommended to pay attention to mobility, the possibility of compiling and storing furniture in heaps even in small spaces. In order to ensure pleasant contact of the pupil with school furniture, the use of cold materials should be avoided, which lower the temperature of the human body locally (hands, forearms, thighs, knees). It is also recommended to use wood and wood-based materials, in particular MDFs, chipboards, natural veneers and plywood.
Any incompatibility of school furniture with intended use presents a danger of injury of the pupil. For this reason, during designing, the possibility of different loads of construction from that which is standard should be foreseen and the furniture should ensure adequate stiffness, strength and stability (Dzi^gielewski and Smardzewski 1995). At this stage, it is important to eliminate the possibility of injury to a child by rounding the edges and corners, adequately placing fittings and elements, as well as carefully selecting materials. One must also remember to use such structural components for which the designer has certificates of their complete non-toxicity. Detailed requirements and testing principles of school furniture have been provided in the norm PN-EN 1729-2:2007.
