Search float button
1-888-996-4266

CAN/CGSB 44.232 Ballot

CGSB has been reviewing its CAN/CGSB 44.232 – Canadian General Standards Board – Chairs for Office Environments.  The ballot officially closes today!  We, Micom laboratories are voting YES to this standard’s revision. The proposed standard now allows for self-counter balancing mechanisms that could qualify to the previous standard’s version. From a mechanical testing standpoint CAN/CGSB 44.232 still calls up BIFMA X 5.1  whereas for measurements it still calls up BIFMA cmd-1

In as much as we were adamant about not allowing the previous draft version to be voted in because we thought it was significantly flawed, we think the current version is good despite the fact that it brings its lot of surprises.  Indeed, side chairs, for example, were historically left out of the standard. Public Works was, and is still, using its “Product Description #6” (PD-6) for side chairs.  Side chairs are now imbedded in the 44.232 standard and this brings a complete array of new dimensional criteria, using the chair measuring device for measuring them.  Will this be a Pandora box? Time will tell, we believe this might very well be the case.

There are also changes impacting the more traditional types of chairs that used to be covered by CAN/CGSB 44.232; this category now falls under either “Computer Use Chairs” and “Conference Room Chairs”.  The first one that comes to mind is the seat height range for regular seat height.  Historically the mandatory range for regular seat height was 419 mm to 510 mm.  It has now been expanded to 417 mm to 512 mm.  This may seem like a very minor change, however we have seen many manufacturers struggling with this requirement.  The extra 4 mm will be a tough one for many.

For more information about this revised standard and our furniture testing services, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Micom is a third party industrial laboratory accredited by A2LA, CGSB, ISTA and many other organizations.

COMPARAISON BETWEEN CGSB-44.232 Ballot Aug. 2017 AND CGSB-44.232.2008
Note: only sections where there are technical changes are inluded in this comparison

COMPARAISON BETWEEN CGSB-44.232 Ballot Aug. 2017 AND CGSB-44.232.2008 part 1

COMPARAISON BETWEEN CGSB-44.232 Ballot Aug. 2017 AND CGSB-44.232.2008 - part 2

 

 

Related Posts

Furniture Testing News

Government of Canada released Letter of Interest (LOI) for its new procurement policy on office furniture excluding seating and High density storage including information on what will be its furniture testing . PWGSC wants to include in the same Consolidated Procurement Instrument (CPI) panel systems, Freestanding furniture and storage cabinets. The standards used in the CPI will be BIFMA X5.5, BIFMA X5.6, BIFMA X5.9, CAN/CGSB 44.227 and CAN/CGSB 44.229.
Michel Comtois

Michel Comtois

Michel Comtois is an accomplished founder and CEO of Micom Laboratories Inc., an ISO/IEC 17025 (2017) A2LA-accredited independent laboratory specializing in product and material testing services. Before establishing Micom Laboratories in 1999, Michel, who also holds a Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry, gained extensive experience over a 14-year tenure managing departments spanning physical chemistry, physics, mechanical and material testing in research and contract laboratories. This exposure granted him a profound understanding of the intricacies of development and material testing processes.

In addition to his practical experience, Michel has played influential roles on various voluntary technical committees. He notably, served as the chairperson for CAN/CGSB 44.227 and the Head of the Canadian Delegation for ISO TC 136. He also contributed to the following technical committees: CAN/CGSB 44.229, CAN/CGSB 44.232, ANSI/BIFMA X5.1, ANSI/BIFMA X5.5, ANSI/BIFMA X5.6, ANSI/BIFMA X 5.9 ANSI/BIFMA X5.11, ISTA Certification Council.

Leveraging his unique expertise, he has led Micom Laboratories to become a renowned name in its niche, now operating out of a 16,000-square-foot test facility in Montreal, Canada, and serving a diverse customer base with an array of material and product testing services. Follow Michel on LinkedIn

Back To Top