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CAN/CGSB 44.227 Freestanding Office Desk Products

CGSB has been reviewing its CAN/CGSB 44.227 – Canadian General Standards Board – Freestanding Office Desk Products and Components.  The ballot officially closed November 11th.  Micom did vote “Yes” to this proposed standard. Life is full of surprises however, I do not expect a lot of negative comments as the changes to this new edition are very subtle.  CAN/CGSB 44.227’s new version still calls up BIFMA X5.5, BIFMA X 5.9, coating testing and dimensional/design criteria.  Other than adding a few requirements for sit/stand tables and updating standard’s dates; not a whole lot changed.  You will find below a section-by-section review of the differences between the current and the proposed standard.

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

Micom is a third party industrial laboratory accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, CGSB, ISTA and many other organizations.

COMPARAISON BETWEEN CGSB-44.227-XXX AND CGSB-44.227.2008

SECTION

SUBSECTION

MODIFICATION

1. Scope

All

Identical

2. Normative References

2.2 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists

-2012

3. Terms and definitions

3.5 Lateral file drawer

Additional definitions

4. General

4.1 Tolerances

Identical

 

4.2 Workmanship

Identical

 

4.3 Finish

Identical

 

4.4 Welds

Identical

 

4.5 Safety

Identical

 

4.6 Clearance between adjusting surfaces

Identical

 

4.7 Interchangeability

Identical

 

4.8 Wood

Identical

 

4.9 Cord and cable management

Identical

 

4.10 Edges

Identical

 

4.11 Clearance under work
surfaces

Identical

 

4.11.1 Work Surfaces

Identical – updated reference to G-1-2013 instead
2002

 

4.11.2 Clearance under adjacent work surfaces

Identical – used to be 4.12.2

5. Detailed requirements for finishes

 

Same requirements

 

5.1 Gloss

Same only year of edition

 

5.2 Finish hardness

Same only year of edition

 

5.3 Abrasion resistance

Same only year of edition

 

5.4 Color stability

Same only year of edition

 

5.5 Paint adhesion

Same only year of edition

 

5.6 Impact resistance

Same only year of edition

6. Detailed requirements for
components

6.1 Work surfaces

Requirement for sit / stand tables added.

 

6.1.2 Adhesives

Updated requirements

 

6.1.3 Height adjustable and sit/stand tables

Includes sit/stand

 

6.2.2 Keyboard Support Surface for VDT Station

 

 

6.2.2.1 Adjustment

Same as before

 

6.3.2  Supports for work
surfaces

New – Should be same for sit/stand tables

 

6.5 Drawers

 

 

6.5.1.1 File drawers

All slides are corrotion resistant to reg. was removed.

 

6.5.1.3 Pencil trays

Same as before

 

6.5.2 Usable space

No more height requirements for sides and back.

 

6.5.3 Bumpers

Same as before

 

6.5.4 Stops

Same as before

 

6.5.5 Pulls

 

6.5.6.1 Surface deflection

Same as before

 

6.5.6.2.1 Free standing storage units

Same as before

 

6.5.6.2.2 Free standing storage units

Updated edition year

 

6.5.6.3.1 Work surface supported overhead storage units

Same as before

 

6.5.6.3.2 Attachment

Same as before

 

6.5.7 Task light fixtures

Same as before

 

6.5.8 Keyboard support surface

Same as before

 

6.5.8.2 Articulating keyboard support surface

New – use to be 4 inches instead of 6

 

6.5.8.3 Roll-out keyboard support surface

No requirement for a mouse anymore

 

6.5.9 Locks

Same as before

 

6.5.10 Privacy screens

Same as before

 

6.5.10.2 Disengagement

Calls up different standard – same
requirements

 

6.5.10.3 Force stability

Same as before

 

6.5.11 Modesty panels

Same as before

7 Preparation for delivery

 

Same as before

8. Testing

8.1 Sampling

Same as before

 

8.2 .

Same as before

 

8.3 .

Salls up new edition of standard

 

8.4 Horizontal surface deflection test

Same as before

9. Marking

9.1 .

Same as before

 

9.2 Operation Instructions

Same as before

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

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