Posts

FIRA International gain UKAS-Accreditation to Irish Flammability Regulations

/in , , /by

FIRA International gain UKAS-Accreditation to Irish Flammability Regulations

 

In April 2021, the Irish Government Department for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced that they would no longer recognise the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended) (FFFSR) as complying with their equivalent regulation – the Irish Regulations S.I. No. 316/1995 – Industrial Research and Standards (Fire Safety) (Domestic Furniture) Order, 1995. This move, which many across the industry regarded as a U-turn following previous announcements, was in response to the UK no longer being a member state of the European Union post-Brexit.

FIRA International has responded to the announcement by the Irish Government by gaining UKAS-Accreditation to S.I. No. 316/1995. This will enable the testing house to further support the UK furniture sector in their exports to Ireland through the issuance of Test Reports which are recognised as following testing to the required standard. In order to export to the Irish market and ensure compliance it’s imperative to have a test certificate to the S.I. No. 316/1995 – Industrial Research and Standards (Fire Safety) (Domestic Furniture) Order, 1995 for domestic products.

Although there are some similarities between the UK FFFSR and S.I. No. 316/1995, the match testing process is different, mainly in the number of applications and duration of the applications when compared to the UK domestic flammability regulations.

 

The move by the Irish Government was made back in April 2021. Prior to this unexpected U-turn by the Irish Authorities, the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended) (FFFSR) were recognised as complying with the Irish Regulations S.I. No. 316/1995 – Industrial Research and Standards (Fire Safety) (Domestic Furniture) Order, 1995. This enabled Test Reports to the UK version of the domestic flammability regulations to be accepted in Ireland. Labelling requirements were also previously harmonised, but this change in regulation does bring some required amendments to display swing tickets and permanent labelling. The British Furniture Confederation are seeking clarification on some further aspects of the Irish Regulations.

 

UK retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and exporters seeking the assurance of UKAS-accreditation to S.I. No. 316/1995 should contact FIRA International via info@fira.co.uk or visit www.fira-international.com/flam

FIRA International Release Details of Further Open Days for Q2-4

/in , /by

STEVENAGE, UK – March 22 2022 UKAS-Accredited testing house, FIRA International has released further dates as part of their 2022 Open Day Programme, which follows a relocation to new facilities in the latter part of 2021. Following a full series of successful Open Days held in March, additional dates have now been set for:

• May 18 (morning)
• July 13 (morning)
• October 12 (afternoon)

All sessions run the same agenda, which includes an overview of testing, FIRA Gold Certification, technical services and ergonomics, alongside an understanding of FIRA International’s work on behalf of the Furniture Industry Research Association.

There are opportunities to ‘ask the experts’ as part of an open Q&A. Then the sessions conclude with behind the scenes tours of FIRA International’s new 17,723 square foot site, including seeing flammability tests in action, an overview of the structures test bay, an insight into how their experts test finishes for worktops etc., and the ergonomics laboratory.

Speaking on the planned events, Howard James, Testing and Technical Manager at FIRA International said, “It was great to welcome so many familiar faces and new friends to our relocated facilities earlier in March after so many months of very much having to work behind closed doors due to the pandemic. Many colleagues, myself included, didn’t realise how much we had missed our Open Days until we were able to re-introduce to them. We had some great feedback, which we’ll be looking to take forward to our next Open Day on May 18. If you’ve not had the chance to attend a session with us then I would recommend booking on and seeing everything we do here at FIRA International.”

Bookings are open across the newly released dates via www.fira-international.com/events, and all from across the furniture sector are welcome to attend the sessions.

About FIRA International
FIRA International, part of the Element Group, specializes in providing a comprehensive range of independent testing, inspection, certification, technical and training services to the furniture industry.

We exist to help our customers to make certain that their materials, products, systems and operations are safe, quality, compliant and ultimately fit for purpose.

A Product Bundle So Good, it Includes a Monitor Arm that was Awarded Ergonomics Excellence by FIRA

/in , /by

What makes our Product Bundle 1 so special? Because it includes our Reach monitor arm with a 10-year warranty!

Reach was awarded an Ergonomics Excellence by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) and is combined with our Capsule on desk power module, our Elite+ under desk power module and a starter lead, to create a product bundle that is ideal for homeworking. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3hhLaCJ

New FIRA Gold Certification for Claremont Centre

/in , , /by

 

STEVENAGE, UK – October 8, 2019– Designers and manufacturers of office furniture, Claremont Centre, have attained a new FIRA Gold Certification for their ‘Brae Sit Stand Desk’.

As part of the FIRA Gold Certification process the desks were subject to vigorous testing to BS EN 527-1:2011 Office furniture. Work tables and desks. Dimensions and also BS EN 527-2:2016+A1:2019 Office furniture. Work tables. Safety, strength and durability requirements.

Speaking on the new certification for their Brae Sit Stand Desk, John Fulton, Managing Director, at Claremont Centre said, “FIRA Gold is very important to our organisation. Designing and building durable furniture to an exceptional standards is at the core of everything we do here at Claremont Centre.

 

“Competitors may strive to meet our standards but FIRA Gold demonstrates that we’ve gone further though additional product testing and third party auditing of our manufacturing process by the experts at FIRA International. Through FIRA Gold, Claremont Centre customers receive peace of mind that our products will meet the needs of the most demanding workplace environments.”

Claremont Centre’s latest certification for the Brae Sit Stand Desk is in addition to their previous FIRA Gold’s attained for their Bench Lite Desk System – CCL Single Benches Office desking; Bench Lite Desk System – CCL Double Benches Office desking; A Frame Bench Desk System – CCL Single Benches Office desking; A FrameBench Desk System – CCL Double Benches Office desking; Bench Desk System – CCL Single Benches Office desking; Bench Desk System – CCL Double Benches Office desking; Framework Office Furniture – Universal Workstations Office desking; Framework Office Furniture – VDU Tables Office desking; Fast Track – Pedestals and Storage Units Office storage; Framework – Pedestals and Storage Units Office storage and also their ft2 range – Pedestals and Storage Units Office storage.

FIRA Gold is applicable to products or installation services and any product within the furniture industry can work towards FIRA Gold Certification, including final products or components. For further information on the certification scheme visit www.fira.co.uk/gold

Click here to follow Claremont Centre on LinkedIn

Whitemeadow Achieve ‘Certified Company’ Status Under FIRA Upholstery Compliance Scheme

/in , , /by

 

Upholstery manufacturers, Whitemeadow, are the latest organisation to achieve ‘Certified Company’ status as part of the Furniture Industry Research Association’s ‘Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture’.

The Compliance Scheme, which includes upholstery manufacturers, retailers and suppliers, was created by the Furniture Industry Research Association in response to a series of high profile media and enforcement investigation, including to a BBC Fake Britain programme entitled ‘Furniture Inferno’ which aired in 2014. This programme looked at the dangers of non-compliant furniture.

The Compliance Scheme was then developed, with industry feedback, to support those from across the upholstery industry in ensuring they have relevant processes and procedures in place to demonstrate due diligence in complying with the requirements of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (FFFSR). Due to this, all Certified Companies are subject to an initial in-depth audit, which is then repeated annually to ensure compliance remains high.

 

Speaking on their new Certified Company status, Andy Pinder, Head of Quality, at Whitemeadow, said “As a key supplier to many of the UK’s largest Blue Chip multi-store and premium Independent retailers it’s important for us to not only offer great design and craftsmanship, but to back this up with the highest compliance and due diligence standards. That’s why as an organisation we decided to work towards becoming a Certified Company of the FIRA ‘Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture’.

“The scheme is not only integral for the upholstery sector, but also for retailers and ultimately end customers, who rely on manufacturers such as Whitemeadow to ensure that industry standards remain high. Having this new Certified Status sends a strong message that we have procedures in place throughout our manufacturing process, from start to finish, to maintain compliance with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations.”

As a Certified Company of the Compliance Scheme, Whitemeadow will also benefit from Assured Advice from Hertfordshire Trading Standards. Advice will respected by other regulatory enforcement bodies, helping to prevent inconsistent interpretations of the FFFSR.

Full details on the Furniture Industry Research Association’s Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture are available from www.fira.co.uk/compliance

Fellowes Professional Series Laptop Workstation Receives FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

/in , , /by

 

The Professional Series Laptop Workstation from Fellowes has received an Ergonomics Excellence Award from FIRA International.

 

The recognises companies who design and manufacture ergonomically outstanding products, especially those that meet and generally exceed the requirements of British and European standards.

The FIRA International team found the workstation to have key ergonomic features, a standout one being its varied height adjustment functionality. With nine different height variations, the workstation enables users to reach an ideal height setting of their laptop screen to reduce flexion and protraction of the head and neck. It also includes a document holder at the front of the product to encourage in-line working negating the need for users to look down at their desk or elsewhere on their workstation. The product’s cable management USB hub system helps minimises clutter, resulting in a clearer desk.

Following the assessment of the Professional Series Laptop Workstation, Levent Caglar, Head of Ergonomics at FIRA International said, “Health and wellbeing are key to improving our life at work and at home. Even the smallest of changes, such as having the right workstation can make a big difference.

 

“In assessing the Professional Series Laptop Workstation, we were particularly impressed with how the height and angle on the unit was easy to adjust, and even at its maximum height setting, it felt very secure due to its design. The ease of use of the workstation should encourage users to start considering adjusting the position of their laptop screen throughout the day to suit the varied tasks they undertake. Small steps like this can reduce stress on the neck and back.”

 

Louise Shipley, European Business Team Manager for Workspace Management / Furniture at Fellowes, comments: “We are very pleased to see our Professional Series Laptop Workstation receive the FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award. Our products are designed and developed around exactly what people need to work better and get the best out of their day. This award reflects how workspace ergonomics is becoming more of a priority and a preventative measure for common work-related ailments, for both – employees and employers.”

FIRA International also confirmed that the workstation met the applicable requirements of BS EN ISO 9241-5:1999 Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs). Workstation layout and postural requirements.

 

Further details on the Fellowes Professional Series Laptop Workstation are available from www.fellowes.com/gb/en/products/product-details.aspx?prod=UK-8024602, whilst www.fira.co.uk/ergononics has information on further FIRA ergonomic award holders.

FIRA Accreditation for Operators!!!

/in , /by

Alliance Seating are delighted to be able to announce that their Operator Range of office seating has been awarded the prestigious BS EN 1335, 2&3: 2009 accreditation from FIRA.

The certificate applies to our HIMP and MIMP models and means that their chairs have been officially recognised as being manufactured professionally, using quality materials and to be safe and fully functional in the office environment.

Clearly they are proud to be able to share this endorsement with their customers, and they would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.

Their HIMP and MIMP models can be found, along with their extensive range of office solutions, on their website www.allianceseating.com