The History of Furniture Construction

Requirements for Safety of Use

In accordance with the Ordinance of the Minister of Economy of the 5th of July 2001, only safe furniture can be entered onto the market. This means that the manufactured furniture piece, in ordinary or other reasonably anticipated conditions of its use, does not pose any danger to the user. Hence, a safe furniture piece is one which is characterised by sufficient stability, strength, stiffness and hygiene. This means that the manufacturers of furniture, in wanting to introduce a new product onto the market, should be able to confirm the safety and high quality of the product issued by an independent research unit. Of course, kitchen furniture is also sub­jected to this regulation. Thereby, only a furniture piece that meets the requirements contained in the norm PN-EN 14749:2007 can be approved for product turnover. At the design stage, constructional hypotheses must be verified using numerical or mathematical calculating instruments (Dzi^gielewski and Smardzewski 1995; Korolew 1973; Eajczak 2004; Smardzewski 2002a, b, c, d, 2004a, b, c).

In addition to the strength of kitchen furniture, the durability of use must also be carefully designed, by skilfully choosing materials that enhance the wooden surface or wood-based boards. Guidelines in this regard can be found in the appropriate norms: PN-F-06001-2:1994, DIN 68 861:1981 1985, PN-EN 438-1,2:1997 and also in the publications of Krzoska-Adamczak (1996, 2001), Krzoska-Adamczak and Nowaczyk (2005). Table 3.14 presents some of the most important require­ments for furniture surfaces.

When using glass in kitchen furniture, one must find out whether it has obtained positive results in approval tests confirming that it is safe glass (PN-EN 14749:2007).