Methods of test for strength and stability of tables and trolleys, Part 1: Strength

IS 5967 Part 2 (1988) – Scope Summary

• Scope: Specifies methods of test to assess the stability of tables and trolleys made from any material.
• Coverage: Stability testing only (strength covered in Part 1).
• Purpose: To ensure furniture stability under applied loads to prevent tipping or collapse.
• Reference: Based on BS 4875 (Part 6):1985 for stability test methods.
• Rounding off: Test results rounded per IS 2:1960 rules, matching significant figures of specified values.

Key Points for Stability Testing (Clause 5.1)

• Loads/forces application: Defined means for applying required loads to simulate real use conditions.
• Stability tests typically involve applying horizontal or eccentric loads to check tipping resistance.

Typical Stability Test Formula (Conceptual)

[ \text{Overturning Moment} \leq \text{Resisting Moment} ]

Where:

• Overturning Moment = Applied Load × Load Arm
• Resisting Moment = Weight of Furniture × Distance from pivot to center of gravity

Summary Table: Test Focus

flowchart LR
    A[Apply Load at specified point] --> B[Calculate Overturning Moment]
    C[Measure Weight & CG location] --> D[Calculate Resisting Moment]
    B --> E{Is Resisting Moment ≥ Overturning Moment?}
    D --> E
    E -->|Yes| F[Pass Stability Test]
    E -->|No| G[Fail Stability Test]

For detailed load magnitudes and test setups, refer to Clause 5.1 and related test procedure sections in IS 5967 Part 2.

IS 5967 Part 2: Definitions & Key Specifications

• Clause 2.0 (Definitions): Establishes terminology for testing strength and stability of tables and trolleys.

• Clause 5.1 (Means of Applying Loads): Specifies how required loads or forces are applied during testing to simulate real use.

• Clause 8.1 (Test Report Requirements): Test reports must include:

  • Details of the furniture tested.
  • Whether the article overturned during testing.

• Vertical Stability Test (Fig. 2):

  • Apply a vertical force V (in Newtons).
  • Dimensions and forces in millimeters and Newtons respectively.

Typical Test Setup for Vertical Stability

Summary Diagram (Mermaid.js)

flowchart TD
    A[Furniture Article] --> B[Apply Vertical Force V]
    B --> C{Overturn?}
    C -->|No| D[Pass Stability Test]
    C -->|Yes| E[Fail Stability Test]
    D --> F[Record in Test Report]
    E --> F

Note: IS 5967 Part 2 focuses on test methods, not design formulas. For design, refer to relevant IS codes on furniture or structural stability.

IS 5967 Part 2: Principle of Stability Test

Key Concept:

• Stability = Ability to resist overturning under applied forces (Clause 2.1).
• Test simulates overturning forces to check if the article overturns (Clause 3.1).

Vertical Stability Test (Clause 6.2):

• Setup:

  • Place article on floor (ref. 5.6).
  • Apply vertical force (up to 300 N) at the centre of top edge, 50 mm from outer edge (Fig. 2).
  • For tables with extension leaves, test at the least stable position (usually center of extension leaf edge).
  • For non-rectangular tops or pedestal supports, identify least stable edge by inspection.

• Procedure:

  1. Tighten all fittings.
  2. Apply vertical force gradually at specified point.
  3. Observe if article overturns.

Summary Table for Vertical Force Application:

flowchart LR
    A[Place article on floor] --> B[Identify least stable edge]
    B --> C[Apply vertical force (up to 300 N) at 50 mm from edge]
    C --> D{Does article overturn?}
    D -- Yes --> E[Fail stability test]
    D -- No --> F[Pass stability test]

This test ensures furniture resists typical overturning forces during use, confirming safety and usability.

IS 5967 Part 2: General Requirements of Tests (Stability of Tables and Trolleys)

Key Principles (Clause 3.1)

• Stability is assessed by simulating overturning forces.
• The test checks if the article overturns under these forces.

Acceptance Criteria (Clause 7.1)

• Article passes if it does not overturn during testing.
• Must also meet relevant product specifications.

Test Report Requirements (Clause 8.1)

The test report shall include:

• Details of the tested article.
• Whether the article overturned.

Typical Stability Test Setup (Vertical Stability Test)

• Apply vertical force V at specified points.
• Dimensions and force application as per Figure 2 (not shown here).

Summary Table: Stability Test Outcome

Conceptual Formula for Overturning Moment Check

[ \text{Stability} \Rightarrow M_{resisting} > M_{overturning} ]

Where:

• (M_{resisting} = W \times d) (Weight × distance to pivot)
• (M_{overturning} = F \times h) (Applied force × height)

flowchart LR
    A[Apply Overturning Force F at height h] --> B{Does article overturn?}
    B -- No --> C[Pass Test]
    B -- Yes --> D[Fail Test]
    C --> E[Report: No overturn]
    D --> F[Report: Overturn occurred]

Note: Always refer to specific product specs for load magnitudes and test setup details.

IS 5967 Part 2 (1988) — Apparatus and Equipment Key Details:

1. Vertical Force Application Device (Clause 5.3)

• Applies fixed or gradually increasing vertical force (V).
• Device must not hinder free movement of the article.
• May be a mass or steel plate with center of gravity 50 mm from the article edge.

2. Horizontal Impact Device (Clause 5.5)

• Consists of a basketball inflated to 73.5 ± 5 kPa.
• Attached by elastic cords to a timber ring seating:
  • Outside diameter: 150 mm
  • Inside diameter: 90 mm
• Main body mass: 50 kg (excluding cords).
• Support cords length: 85 mm.
• Assembly remains horizontal when displaced.

3. Test Report Requirements (Clause 8.1)

• Details of furniture tested.
• Whether the article overturned during testing.

Summary Table: Horizontal Impact Device Dimensions

Vertical Force Application Device Illustration (Conceptual):

graph LR
A[Steel Plate / Mass] --> B[Placed on Article]
B --> C[Center of Gravity 50 mm from Edge]
C --> D[Applies Vertical Force V]

This setup ensures accurate vertical loading without restricting article movement.

For detailed testing procedures and apparatus construction, refer to IS 5967 Part 2 (1988) full text.

IS 5967 Part 2: Test Procedures for Stability of Tables and Trolleys

Key Test: Vertical Stability Test (Clause 6.2)

• Setup: Place the furniture on a flat floor.
• Force Application: Apply a vertical force (V) of up to 300 N at the center of the top surface along one long edge.
• Position: The force is applied with its center of gravity 50 mm from the outer edge of the top (see Fig. 2 in the code).
• Objective: Check if the article overturns under this force.
• For tables with extension leaves or non-rectangular tops, apply force at the least stable position, determined by trial.

Test Report (Clause 8.1)

The report must include:

• Details of the furniture tested.
• Whether the article overturned during testing.

Summary Table for Vertical Stability Test

Notes

• Tighten all fittings before testing.
• For extension leaves, test the least stable arrangement.
• Round off test results as per IS 2:1960.

flowchart LR
    A[Furniture on Floor] --> B[Apply Vertical Force 300N]
    B --> C{Force applied 50mm from edge?}
    C -- Yes --> D[Observe Overturning]
    C -- No --> E[Adjust Force Position]
    D --> F{Overturned?}
    F -- Yes --> G[Fail Stability Test]
    F -- No --> H[Pass Stability Test]

This procedure ensures safety and functional stability per IS 5967 Part 2.

IS 5967 Part 2: Interpretation of Results - Key Points

1. Vertical Stability Test (Clause 6.2)

• Apply a vertical force (V) of 300 N at the center of the top along one long side.
• Position the force application device so its center of gravity is 50 mm from the outer edge.
• Observe if the article tends to overturn.
• For tables with extension leaves or non-rectangular tops, test at the least stable position, determined by trial and error.

2. Horizontal Impact Test (Clause 6.3)

• Impact the article at a height a = 40 mm from the floor.
• Maximum impact height from the floor is 1.6 m.
• Impact the edge likely to cause the most adverse effect (e.g., top edge).

3. Test Report (Clause 8.1)

Include:

• Details of the article tested.
• Whether the article overturned during testing.

Summary Table: Vertical Stability Test Setup

flowchart LR
    A[Start Test] --> B{Test Type}
    B -->|Vertical Stability| C[Apply 300 N vertical force]
    C --> D{Overturn?}
    D -->|Yes| E[Fail - Overturned]
    D -->|No| F[Pass - Stable]
    B -->|Horizontal Impact| G[Impact at 40 mm height]
    G --> H{Damage?}
    H -->|Yes| E
    H -->|No| F

This ensures safety and stability compliance of furniture under IS 5967 Part 2.

IS 5967 Part 2 - Test Report Key Points

Test Report Requirements (Clause 8.1)

The test report for stability testing of tables and trolleys must include:

• Details of the article tested: Type, dimensions, material, and configuration.
• Overturning behavior: Whether the article overturned during the vertical stability test.

Vertical Stability Test (Clause 6.2)

• Apply a vertical force (V) of 300 N at the center of the top surface along one long side, with the force point 50 mm from the outer edge.
• For tables with extension leaves or non-rectangular tops, test the least stable position determined by trial.
• Record if the article overturns under this load.

Summary Table for Vertical Stability Test

Notes

• All dimensions in millimeters.
• Follow IS 2-1960 for rounding off test results.
• The test ensures functional safety against overturning under specified load.

flowchart LR
    A[Place article on floor] --> B[Apply vertical force 300 N]
    B --> C{Force point 50 mm from edge?}
    C -->|Yes| D[Observe for overturning]
    D --> E{Overturned?}
    E -->|Yes| F[Fail stability test]
    E -->|No| G[Pass stability test]

This concise format covers the essentials for preparing and interpreting the test report per IS 5967 Part 2.