Performance And Quality Assurance Testing

Performance And Quality Assurance Testing

CARL ECKELMAN Wood Science and Furniture Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

MICHAEL LEE Environmental Design, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

Introduction For a designer to prepare an effective and suitable set of

specifications for furniture, he or she must first understand and then document the following:

a. The individual needs of the client b. How each product is used under actual service conditions c. How various competing products compare in quality and

d. How each product may be expected to perform. price

Success of the designer in fulfilling these requirements rests largely on his or her ability to quantify abstract statements concerning expected performance along with the ability to assess and quantify the performance of the furniture available so that a systematic determination can be made of the ability of the furniture to meet the client’s specific needs. This procedure allows the designer to make rationally based performance versus cost decisions. Few, if any , designers, however, are able to quantify their requirements. Hence, they ordinarily cannot unequivocally transmit their design requirements to the manufacturer. In addition, designers usually are not able to quantify the expected performance of the furniture they specify so that they are unable to make systematic rational cost versus performance comparisons.

Few designers truly research a product themselves; rather, they turn to other sources for information such as manufactuer’s repre- sentatives or confidants. Lacking first hand knowledge and conse- quently relying on what are perhaps un-proven sources of information, a designer may direct a client to a higher priced product merely because of his uncertainty about the quality of a new or different product, Without specific performance data and numerical end use requirement information, a designer may find that the result of his or her design efforts may not meet the desired performance expectations. and. in fact, the result may point toward negligence on the designer’s part.

There is, of course, considerable value in taking the advice of product information sources with unquestioned expertise in the area of interest. Should the designer or specifier become involved in legal difficulties as a result of failure of specified products under normal conditions of use, the designer can take little consolation in the fact that he or she received this performance information from a manufacturer’s representative or from a personal friend or confi- dant.

As the preceding discussion illustrates, there is a need for more definitive methods of defining client needs and expectations as well as for better methods of evaluating the ability of the furiture of-

fered to fulfill those needs and expectations. Perhaps the European experience - the performance tests and the quality assurance programs employed there - provide the answer. Although relatively unknown and little understood in this country, performance testing of furniture along with quality marking and informative labeling of furniture have become an integral part of the marketing, specify- ing, and buying of furniture in Europe. Presumably, systems of this nature would be of value to those who specify and buy furniture in this country also. In this, the first of a two-part series, a number of furniture research and testing institutes visited in Europe are discussed which have programs, test methods, and/or labeling systems of interest to designers and specifiers in North America. In a later article, the philosophies underlying these various test systems will be discussed and the significance of each analyzed for the design community. Performance and Quality Assurance Testing: The Situation Around the World

Among the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, along with Finland, an effort has been made to develop a unified system of performance tests and a common quality assurance labeling system. Although some differences do exist from country to country, all of these countries make use of the “MOBELFAKTA” (Facts About Furniture) labeling system. In this system, which was introduced into Sweden in 1972, the functionality , the durability, and the surface resistance of the furniture along with workmanship are evaluated. Three levels of performance - basic, high, and extra high - are recognized. Results of tests are summarized on a small tag which is attached to the furniture. This tag summarizes pertinent performance characteristics so that consumers and specifiers may readily formulate purchasing decisions. Specific details of the program are discussed below in connection with the countries in which the system is used. Sweden

Furniture research and performance testing in Sweden are carried out a t the Swedish Furniture Research Institute [Mobelinstitutet(MI)] which is located in Stockholm. The Institute has extensive test equipment and carries out tests and development work on all types of furniture. The Institute is financed jointly by the Swedish government and the furniture industry through the Swedish Foundation for Furniture Research. Five of the ten members of the Institute’s Board are appointed by the Govern- ment; the remaining five are appointed by the Swedish Foundation for Furniture Research which represents the interests of consumers, manufacturers. and distributors.

18 Journal of Interior Design Education and Research, 7 (1) : 18-24 1981

Presently, the Institute is carrying out studies of the function and characteristics of furniture, studies on determination of the strains and stresses on the different parts of furniture during use, and is also developing methods and equipment for determining the performance characteristics of furniture. In addition, the Institute is studying the basic principles for successful product marking and labeling and how to best present information to dealers and consumers. One of the most important activities of the Institute, however, is the testing of furniture at the request of furniture manufacturers. Some of this work is done for purposes of product improvement, although most of it is carried out for purposes of product labeling in connection with the “MOBELFAKTA’ system.

Development of the quality marking and the informative labeling systems in Sweden are worthy of discussion because they have served as the model for the development of similar systems in so many other countries.

Initially, projects were started for evaluating the functions of household equipment by the Swedish Society of Industrial Design. Recommendations for the dimensions and functional design of furniture were subsequently published by the Society. Eric Berglund, who is the present head of the MI, was the principal author. Work with informative labeling began in the mid-fifty’s; test methods were developed and furniture was tested, and the first labeled furniture was offered to consumers and dealers.

In 1967, the present Swedish Furniture Research Institute was founded with help from industry and from the Swedish government through the Swedish Board for Technical Development. MI took over the responsibilities for test methods and consumer information and improved the informative labeling system. In developing a new system, the Institute first attempted to define a rational set of arguments for the existence of a quality mark/informative labeling system. In analyzing the problem, it was determined that such a system is of value to the manufacturer since it provides him with the anthropometric data needed to design a product: it provides information concerning the strength of the materials of construction and minimum material requirements: it permits a desired level of quality to be uniformly maintained: it provides a way of checking and ensuring the quality of the work and materials of subcontrac- tors.

The system has additional advantages in that it helps the dealer to merchandise the product; it guarantees the quality of the product including its safety and durability and thereby increases a potential buyer’s confidence: it also makes it easier to answer ques- tions about the product, and helps to reduce consumer complaints and makes them easier to resolve. It is also a great aid in self-service stores where the consumer depends on the quality mark and the informative label to ensure that the furniture meets his or her needs. The successful self-service marketing of furniture in the IKEA stores in Sweden provides a good example of the value of a quality mark/informative labeling system.

From the viewpoint of the consumer, the system provides the information needed to make informed purchasing decisions; it permits a rapid assesment and comparison of function, safety, durability, surface qualities, and workmanship: in short, it permits a rapid comparison of cost versus value. Furthermore, it provides a guarantee to the consumer from the manufacturer.

Out of an analysis of these arguments, the “MOBELFAKTA” system was developed and put into operation in 1972. The system operates as follows.

After the furniture is tested, the furniture manufacturer receives a detailed report indicating how well the product has per- formed. Since the report is usually too long to be conveniently used by the public, the results of the test are condensed and reproduced on the easily read “MOBELFAKTA” tag, (Fig. 1) which is attached to each piece of furniture. The tag provides information concern-

Fig. 1 - MOBELFAKTA quality label which is attached to furniture in Sweden. This particular tag indicates that the furniture has fulfilled the test requirements set for th by the Swedish Furniture Research Institute. I t provides the additional information that the strength of the f rame- work is high, durability of the seat is extra high, and the material quality and workmanship are high.

ing functional correctness, i.e., human factors and other design factors, durability of the frame, seats, shelves, etc., resistance of the surfaces to various liquids and solvents, heat, and scratching, and finally, the overall workmanship. Three levels of performance are possible: basic, high, and extra high. The consumer, therefore, is given a choice in the selection of furniture to meet his or her specific needs.

In addition to the work described above, the MI also actively participates in the formulation of international standards for furniture. Presently, the Institute is the secretariat for ISO/TC136 /SC 1*, Test Methods for Furniture. Denmark

Performance testing and furniture research in Denmark are carried out at the Wood Technology Department (WTD) of the Danish Technological Institute located in Tastrup just outside of Copenhagen. Although the Department itself is dedicated to wood research, it is able to draw upon the resources of the larger parent organization, and hence it is able to bring together an impressive group of experts for solving any problem. The WTD, for example,

IS0 (International Organization for Standardization) TC 136 (Technical Committee 136) SC 1 (Sub-committee number 1 . Testmethods)

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has a detailed study underway on the fabrics used in furniture construction which is being carried out in connection with the Textile Department of the Danish Technological Institute.

The facilities of the Department are impressive. Because of its close cooperation with the Swedish Furniture Research Institute, much of the test equipment is similar to that used in Sweden (this results because the two countries have cooperated to a large degree in the development of common test equipment).

The trade association carrier for the “MOBELFAKTA” system in Denmark is the Danish Furniture Manufacturer’s Association. As outlined in the introductory section, strength, durability of the surface, and quality of material plus accuracy of production, and workmanship are evaluated. Three levels, basic, high, and extra high, are recognized for each of these characteristics. Furniture which satisfies the requirements is entitled to carry the “MOBELFAKTA” label o r tag. In addition to the “MOBELFAKTA” symbol, this tag also carries the “VAREFAKTA” symbol which is a value declaration label and indicates that further test information concerning the product is available. This latter symbol is a product of the Danish Institute for Informative Labeling. This dual labeling indicates that the furniture has passed the requirements of both a furniture manufacturer’s association and an independent consumer’s association. In addition to these symbols, certain furniture items which pass the demanding requirements of the Danish Furnituremaker’s Control may be allowed to carry that organization’s coveted quality control symbol. The Danish Furnituremaker’s Control is an organization of leading Danish furniture manufacturers who have coordinated with the WTD to formulate demands which must be met by quality furniture. Furniture which bears the black control mark issued by the organization represents the best in Danish furniture production. The control mark is the user’s guarantee of high quality and signifies .that the manufacturer will compensate the user in case of justified complaint.

The STD also participates in the formulation of international standards for furniture.

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Norway In Norway, research for the furniture and joinery industries is

carried out by the Norwegian Institute of Woodworking and Wood Technology [ Norsk Treteknisk Institutt (NTI)]. This organization is supported by the sawmill industry in Norway and carries out research on a wide variety of wood products. To help plan its program, the Institute has committees on furniture and joinery made up of members from industry and the Institute. Technical training of personnel for the woodworking and furniture industries is carried out largely by the Norwegian National Institute of Technology [Statens Teknologiske Institutt (STI)].

Furniture Control Norway (NFC) is the trade carrier for the “MOBELKFAKTA” system. It is composed of members who subscribe to the quality control program and whose factories and furniture meet the technical requirements of the organization. STI acts as the secretariat of the NFC and carries out of the practical work of inspection and testing while NTI develops and revises quality standards and does research regarding both test and production problems.

Requirements are specified for quality of materials, workmanship, strength, stability, and durability, among others. Two quality grades are used: “good,” which implies it is suitable for normal domestic use and “excellent,” which implies it is suitable for in- stitutional use. Presently, tests are avilable for lounge chairs, side chairs, sofas, tables, and shelves: tests for other types of furniture are under development.

Furniture which passes the test requirements has a distinctive “MOBELFAKTA’ type quality label (Fig. 2) afixed to it along

with a more detailed declaration which gives additional information on the properties of the furniture. The materials used in construction of the furniture must be clearly stated, and substitute materials and woods stained to look like other woods must be clearly identified. Participation of a manufacturer in the program implies a guarantee on his part to compensate the consumer for justifiable complaints.

Finland Performance testing of furniture and furniture research in

Finland are carried out in the Forest Products Laboratory of the Technical Research Center of Finland [Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus (VTT)]. This Research Center, which is located in Espoo just outside of Helsinki, carries out research in many technical areas. The furniture testing facility which is located in the Forest Products Laboratory is new, attractive, and well- equipped. Furniture research is a relatively new activity in the Laboratory; current research is concentrated mainly on the determination of the functional and technical properties of furniture along with determining reasonable performance requirements. Research is also underway to develop new, improved test methods for furniture and to compare test methods currently in use.

The quality assurance program for furniture in Finland is part of an overall voluntary labeling system which is administered by the Association for Informative Labeling. In this system, the Associa- tion determines the requirements that must me met; manufac-

Fig. 2 - The quality control symbol used by Furniture Control Norway. Considerable additional information concerning the performance of the furniture is given on the back side of the tag.

Testet og godkjent Norsk Merbelkontroll Tested and approved Furniture Control Norway

Testet og godkjent Norsk Mabelkontroll Tested and approved Furniture Control Norway

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turers whose furniture satisfies these requirements are entitled to use the Finnish version of the “MOBELFAKTA’ tag.

Participation by manufacturers in the program is voluntary, and a manufacturer who wishes to use the labeling system must make an application to the Association. To ensure fairness in developing tests and performance requirements, the Association is composed of members with widely varying interests who represent industry, consumers, trade, and research bodies. In addition, some governmental bodies participate in the activities of the Association. The Forest Products Laboratory both assists the Association in developing meaningful tests and setting reasonable acceptance levels and also provides a testing service for manufacturers who wish to have their products evaluated.

The “MOBELFAKTA” tests along with the labeling system in Finland are quite similar to those in Sweden. In the case of a lounge chair, for example, the strength of the framework, durability of the seat, and quality of materials and workmanship are evaluated. Three performance levels are used: basic, high, and extra high. A “MOBELFAKTA” type tag is attached to furniture which meets the requirements. This tag indicates that the furniture meets the quality requirements of the Association for Informative Labeling.

The Netherlands Performance testing in the Netherlands is carried out at the

Furniture Research Institute (Houtiinstituut) located in Delft. This institute is a branch of The Organization for Applied Scientific

Fig. 3 - The quality control symbol w e d in the Netherlands. Additional information concerning performance and care of the furniture is given on the backside of the tag.

Research (TNO) which carries out much of the research in all areas of science and technology in the Netherlands. Because the Institute is a member of this larger parent organization, it is able to follow a multi-discipline approach in its research efforts since it has direct access to the combined expertise of all the institutes within the parent organization.

Initially, the Institute patterned its tests and equipment after the Swedish model, i.e., after those developed by the Swedish Fur- niture Research Institute, but subsequently has developed its own unique test methods and equipment. The laboratory itself is well equipped, and tests can be carried out on all types of furniture.

The quality assurance program in the Netherlands, “TESTMEUBEL HOLLAND” (Vereniging Nederlands Kwaliteitsmerk Meublen), was created by a number of furniture manufacturers who wanted to develop a way of calling attention to the quality of their home products when faced with competition from lower quality East European imports which superficially resembled fine Netherlands furniture but lacked its quality. The trade association carrier for the program is the Research Associa- tion for the Timber Industry (Researchvereniging voor de Houtin- dustrie). The Houtinstituut develops tests and establishes acceptance levels in this progam, carries out tests of the furniture, in- spects the factories, and monitors compliance with the program by the member manufacturers. Presently, only one level of performance is recognized. In the case of domestic furniture, the frame of the furniture is unconditionally guaranteed for five years; the fabric is guaranteed for 3 years. Furniture which passes the re- quired tests and inspections is allowed to carry the boldly marked “TESTMEUBEL HOLLAND’ tag (Fig. 3) to distinguish it from other furniture.

The program covers a wide range of domestic furniture including tables, side chairs, lounge chairs, cupboards, and cases, among others. In addition, the Institute has developed other tests for office chairs including tests for stability, backstrength, seat strength, and gas cylinder seat height and back adjustment mechanisms. The Institute is also working with the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs to develop test methods for other own types of furniture, to improve quality control during manufacture, and to increase quality awareness on the part of consumers. This latter point is of particular interest since it has been amply demonstrated in Europe that honest efforts to develop quality assurance programs which provide consumers with the information needed to make rational purchasing decisions usually fail if the consumers are too indifferent to bother informing themselves about differences in the quality of the products they purchase. In addition to these activities, the Institute is also working with other European furniture research groups through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to develop international standards for furniture.

West Germany Furniture research in West Germany is carried out at three in-

stitutions principally: the Wilhelm-Klauditz Institute (WKI) located at Brauschweig, the Landesgewerbeanstalt (LGA) located in Nurnberg, and the German Institute for Furniture Technology (DMT) located in Rosenheim. The WKI is one of a series of research institutes sponsored in West Germany by the Fraunhofer Society (FhG). The FhG is engaged in research and development in the fields of natural science and engineering on the behalf of industry and the federal government. The WKI works in close cooperation with the wood industry on problems of wood utiliza- tion and is also engaged in work related to technology transfer.

With regard to the furniture industry, the Institute has been involved in the development of equipment which will allow manufacturers to test and thereby evaluate their furniture. The intent is to

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develop equipment that the manufacturers can use within their own plants, but the Institute can carry out tests for the manufacturers on a fee basis if desired. In addition to their work with the testing of furniture. the Institute also has projects dealing with the measurement of surface smoothness of furniture, with the finishing of furniture, and with the fire perforamance characteristics of furniture. At the present time, the Institute does not have or participate in any type of quality marking or informative labeling system for furniture.

The LGA, which is located in the southern part of West Ger- many, functions in a regional sense for the state of Bavaria, but presumably can also test furniture from all over Germany. Fur- niture testing is carried out by the Furniture Testing Institute (Mobelprufinstitut) which is a part of the LGA. The Institute is an offshoot of the Institute for Product Testing and Quality Control (lnstitut fu r Warenprufung und Qualitatsuberwachung). The Fur- niture Institute has a large, well-equipped laboratory-perhaps the largest in existence which is dedicated solely to furniture testing- and it has developed test procedures for essentially all types of furniture. Certain types of furniture must be tested by law in Germany to determine if i t meets safety requirements, but much of.the furniture is tested by the Institute for manufacturers on a voluntary basis. Furniture which meets the requirements set by the Institute is entitled to carry the DM quality mark. Only one level of quality is recognized.

In all of its testing. the LGA functions as an independent neutral third party which may carry out tests for manufacturers, consumers, and the government. Results of its tests may be used in court to settle disputes, and it is. in general, highly regarded by all parties.

The German Institute for Furniture Technology [Deutschen In- stituts fur Mobeltechnik (DMT)] was founded in order to systematize furniture testing and development. The Institute was formed and is supported by the various furniture manufacturers and trade associations in Germany and serves the nation as a whole. Furniture which passes the requirements established by the Institute may carry the “GS” seal. Although the Institute was only recently formed, it has already moved into its own spacious quarters where test equipment along with appropriate tests are being developed for all types of furniture. Current research objectives of the Institute include fundamental investigations into furniture construction technology and corresponding material and performance testing, cooperation in the development of national and international standards, and development of safety technology through testing. In addition, the Institute is collecting and analyzing generally recognized performance requirements which must be met by the materials used in furniture construction as well as by the furniture itself. The Institute also provides training in safety and advanced training in furniture science.

France Furniture research and testing in France are carried out and

administered by the Centre Technique du Bois which is located in Paris. A voluntary labeling system is administered by the Centre in which tests developed by the Centre are carried out to determine the strength and durability of the furniture along with the characteristics of the fabrics and the finish. Only one grade of performance is recognized. Furniture which passes the stated requirements is allowed to carry the “ N F ’ symbol of quality.

Great Britain Furniture research and testing in Great Britain are carried out

by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) which is located in Stevenage, England. FIRA arose from the activities of the Furniture Development Council which was formed in 1948.

This institution was financed by a statuatory levy on the manufacturers of domestic furniture. The Council was concerned primarily with the promotion of scientific research related to furniture, the collection and dissemination of technical information, and with management activities in general. Over the years, work in these areas increased until it became the major activity of the Council. In 1961, FIRA was formed to take over these activities.

FIRA is financed by the statuatory industrial levy along with subscriptions from certain manufacturers of office and educational furniture suppliers to the industry, design organizations, colleges, and large purchasers and users of furniture. Some projects are also supported by the Government. FIRA is supported, therefore, largely by and functions for industry. It is not a consumer or user oriented organization and does not issue quality labels or carry on a quality assurance program.

FIRA has developed numerous tests and associated equipment which may be used by its members to qualify furniture for given end uses. In its tests. FIRA analyzes the strength and durability of the framework of the furniture, evaluates the seat and back foundation systems and the fabrics, and also evaluates the quality of the finish and its resistance to common solvents and other common household agents. Basically, five grades or levels of performance are recognized in these tests. They are not cumulative type graded tests, however; rather, the furniture is subjected to a unique set of tests for each grade level.

The tests developed by FIRA have been incorporated into British Standards, and hence any user of furniture may require that furniture be tested or guaranteed to meet the requirements specified.

In addition to its domestic work, FIRA also participates in the drafting and formulation of international standards.

The United States Although numerous furniture research projects have been

carried out at various institutions over a period of time, there are today perhaps only two institutions in the United States with clearly recognized furniture programs: North Carolina State University at Raleigh, North Carolina and Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana. The furniture program at North Carolina State University deals largely with furniture manufacturing and management. It is supported strongly by the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Asso- ciation, and one of its principal goals is to train graduates for the furniture industry.

The Furniture Research Center at Purdue University, on the other hand, traditionally has been primarily concerned with the strength design of furniture. Most of the research, accordingly, has dealt with how to design furniture for strength and durability and the development of tests to evaluate these properties. Support for the program has come largely from grants from the federal government, private associations, and individual manufacturers. The program is quite unusual in that similar research is carried out at very few institutions throughout the world. Recent formation of the Environmental Design Institute at Purdue University with its anthropometric, ergonomic, and behavioral research capabilities has greatly expanded the scope of furniture research which can be undertaken at Purdue through the interdisciplinary interaction of the two organizations.

Performance tests for furniture have been developed principally by three groups in the United States: a) The Business and Insti- tutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) which is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, b) The National Kitchen Cabinet Association (NKCA) with headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, and c) The National Furniture Center (NFC) located in Washington, D.C.

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As the name implies, BIFMA is concerned only with office furniture, and it has developed or is working on standards for lateral files, vertical files, desks, chairs, flammability of materials, and panels. Once developed, these standards are submitted to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for acceptance and promulgation. Although the standards developed by BIFMA were developed for office furniture, they would also be expected to apply to certain types of domestic furniture. The proposed lounge standard, for example, would be expected to apply equally well to sofas used in the home.

These standards are developed by committees working within BIFMA in which the combined knowledge and testing results of the members are pooled in order to obtain a consensus document. Out- side consultants and advisors are used when needed.

The tests used are basically of a “go/no-go” type in which the furniture is subjected to a functional and a proof load. Acceptance criteria are usually based on safety considerations. In the case of office chairs, for example, acceptance is based on whether or not sufficient damage has occurred to the chair to make it unsafe for use. ‘ Recommended minimum construction and performance stand-

ards for kitchen cabinets were first developed by the NKCA as part of its kitchen cabinet certification program. Subsequently, these requirements have been incorporated into an ANSI standard.

In general, the test method calls for an inspection of the quality of workmanship including the fit of the joints, resistance of the panel edges to water, resistance of the surface finish to various agents, and mechanical strength tests of the cabinet and its parts. These tests are basically “go/no-go” type of tests which prescribe minimum performance levels.

The National Furniture Center which is a part of the Federal Supply Service is responsible for writing specifications governing furniture purchased by the federal government. Most of these documents are detailed specifications which specify exactly how the furniture is to be made and how it is to look; some of the standards also contain performance testing provisions which, in general, are of a “go/no-go” type. Two exceptions are the performance tests which have been developed for evaluating the frames and the seat and back foundation systems of upholstered furniture. These standards, which were developed at the furniture research center at Purdue University for the NFC, are based on a graded system of tests in which the furniture is tested to destruction. In such tests, the key structural indicators of strength and durability are first identified. The furniture is then tested to destruction by means of cyclic tests in which the loads are periodically increased to determine the degree to which these performance characteristics are present. The value of this type of system lies in the fact that the performance characteristics of one piece of furniture can be com- pared directly with that of another. The same graded performance test concept was also used by the furniture research center at Purdue in evaluating chairs to be used by air traffic controllers. Unfortunately, the tests developed for these chairs (which are, in fact, heavy-duty office chairs) have not been incorporated into a standard performance test method.

Other Organizations In addition to the organizations described above which were

visited during trips to Europe in 1977, 1978, and 1980, furniture research, testing, and quality assurance programs are being carried out and administered in institutions in many other countries around the world. In Europe, quality assurance programs are also being administered in Belgium and Austria. Furthermore, extensive furniture research is being carried out in the East European countries including Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Czechoslo- vakia, Hungary, Poland, and East Germany along with the Soviet Union. The amount of furniture research carried out in these

countries is impressive, and many fine papers have been authored by researchers there. Two quality levels have been developed for these common market countries - the lower grade is for furniture used at home, whereas the higher is for furniture for export.

Other countries including Australia have looked at quality labeling, but at present they have not developed a system. Japan also has and is carrying on considerable furniture research but as yet does not have a labeling system

Although it does not carry out furniture research, the efforts of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to develop standards for furniture justifies mentioning because many of the test methods defined in the standards are based on the research and tests carried out in the various participating countries. Development of standards for furniture in IS0 is being carried out by Technical Committee 136. Each country, or in some cases a group of countries, has responsibility for a given area. The nine sub-committees (SC) of Technical Committee 136 are divided as follows:

SC 1 Testmethods (Secretariat: Sweden) SC 2 Ergonomics (S: vacant) SC 3 Material Properties (S: W. Germany) SC 4 Terminology (S: Rumania) SC 5 Domestic Furniture (S: W. Germany) SC 6 Office Furniture (S: France) SC 7 School Furniture (S: W. Germany, Nurnberg) SC 8 Hospital Furniture (S: Sweden) SC 9 Hardware (S: France)

At present, the United States is not participating in the development of these standards.

Performance and Quality Assurance Testing: Summary I t should be evident to the reader that there are sufficient

opportunities throughout the world for product testing that it should not be overly difficult for a designer to obtain the factual information needed to make rational purchasing decisions. Per- formance and quality assurance testing is a method of pre-assessing product functionality. Such a process of “Functionality Testing” has several apparent advantages which will be discussed at length in the second of two articles by the authors; it seems appropriate, however, to discuss a few of these points at this time.

Functionality testing provides the product manufacturer with the anthropometric data needed to properly design a product; it provides data concerning the strength of materials and minimum material requirements; it permits a desired level of quality to be uniformly maintained and it provides a way of checking and main- taining material quality levels and the workmanship of subcon- tractors. Furthermore, it provides a means of stating furnishings quality in objective terms.

For the designer, functionality testing means reliable information for optimal comparison and effective specification. It also may have an impact when specifications must be sufficiently rigid in order to minimize designer liability in situations of product failure in use.

Functionality testing facilitates product merchandising for the retailer and provides an implicit guarantee for quality, safety, and durability of the product.

For the consumer, it provides the information needed to make rational purchasing decisions. I t permits an assessment of function, safety, durability, and workmanship and greatly increases consumer confidence.

This first article has provided a survey of performance testing and quality assurance programs in use around the world. In a subsequent article, the authors will discuss the underlying philosophies of performance testing and quality assurance programs along with the apparent advantages and disadvantages for the design community.

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Selected Bibliography Denmark "1)anish Furniturrmakrr's Control " Danish Furnituremaker's Control. Teknologisk Institut. Gregersensvej, DK-2630. Tastrup. Denmark. "Facts about Furniturr " ' l 'hr 7 ' c . i hnological Institute. Gregersrnsvrj, DK-2630 Tastrup. "Furniturr 'I'c,sting '' Ilanish Furniturr Manufacaurrr's Institute. Hrllrrupvej 8. 2900 Hellerup.

Finland "Anr iua l Kcli<>rt 111 t h < , Fcbrr51 I ' n ~ d u < t s Laboratory 'I Forrst Products Laboratory. Trchnical Research Center of Finland Espoo. "Kc,\c,ar~ h A < t ~ v i t i r l 01 t h r Forr\t Pnrducts Lahnratory in 19x0 " Forrst Products Laboratory. Technical Research Center of Finland. Espoo "Kc.,c.art h 111 M o q F1<~1(1\ 01 I rc hnnloR): ' ' T h c Trchni ia l Krsearch Centrr of Finland. Espoo

France "Krl,c,rt 01 A< tiv~ti<,s

(;reat Bri ta in " , \ ~ I I I u ~ ~ h . l ~ , r i FIH..I H,,T,,,tr, h t J i d l c i r u ( I S W V ~ quartrrlv) FlRA Strvrndgc,. England

"Natlc,nrl arlrl I~ltrrildtional Standards Rrlating t o Furni turr . I t s Components. and I t s Materials." FIRA. Stevenage. England

Netherlands " t { o u t t n ~ t ~ r u u t . IN0 " (Annual K q x i r t ) "'l'rstmr.ub,~l l l ~ ~ l l , ~ r ~ ~ l

Norway "kurn~ tu r r M.nlc t d W I H ~ ,>I Mrial,. Mairridls and Crattamanship." Furnnure Control Norway, Oslo. "N,jrwrgidt~ turrtitun. (;ontr<d "stdtrn\ ' I cknc,lc,gl*kc In,tnutt ' ' Ndiwndl l n ~ t i t u t c 01 'l'cxhnology Oslo. ' ' I )I,, N c ~ ~ w , ~ , , i ~ t r , I n * t ~ i t l t ~ 01 Wrr,rl Working a n d Wocd 'l.rchnology " Norwegian Institute of Wood Working and Wood Technology. Oslo. ..Wll.,t You S l ~ o t i I < l KIN^ alx,ui t u rn i tu r r (;(~iitrol Norway." Furniturr Control Norway Oslo.

Sweden

1'175 " Crntrr. . l r< hniqc d u Bois. Paris

l97!l ' Furnilur<, Industry A ~ w i ~ i a t i i ~ n . Strvrnagr. England.

"Furnitui<. 1.iti.i dluI(' " F I K A Stl'Vl'nagl' t:llgldlld

I NO. I l r l t t . Nrthrr lands. I r \ t r ~ d u t vs Qudlity Furniturr " Vakhlad voor Mrubrlindustrie. Dec. 3. pp 872-876

A HrirI 1 ' r c w n t ~ t ~ o n ' Norwrgian Furniture Control. 0510.

I J I . I , . , , ,ZW . a n , I IJir. i l i iv <',>mnlr#)l " . k A h 1 A 111~. \wc .c l ir l i ~ u d l ~ c v Marhiiig . > c I t c n i ~ '

>I I h n 1 ( ~ 1 \ i < ~ n \ <)I t i in( 1ion.11 Iiii()ortaii, r " Swrili\li Furniture. Kesrarch Institute Stockholm. Swcdi rh b u r r ~ ~ ~ u r c Krsrarch Insrrrurc. Stocrlhdm.

United Stairs ",\ ~ ' C I ~ O ~ I I I . ~ I I ~ t ' 1 <'\I M i ~ t I ~ o ~ l lor V ~ i h ~ i I ~ t ~ ~ i r ~ l Sold* ' Gwirrdl Srrvirrs Administration. Washington. D.C. " H I F M A "tuiiiittiic M . I I I I I I . I ~ tuiiiig . i w I M ~ i i r g c m ~ ~ i i t . " North Cardoria Stat<, I lnivrrs~tv. Ralelgh, North Carolina. "(.i.i1(1i dl I # ' \ t \ 1 0 1 O l l i t r (:Itdir% ' Anwri, d i i Ndtwndl Standards Institurc~. New York. " I ' c t f o i i i i . i i i ( ~ ' \ t . i i ~ i I , ~ i ~ l ~ . I'i<r<lu<t S a l r r y P.N<. HlFMA Growth ' ' Conlracl. Junr . 1980. " K ~ i r i i r i i n i . l l i l ~ ~ l ( : o i i \ t i i i c 11011 . t i i d I'rrlorindn<c Stdndards lor Kitchrn and Vanity Cabinets." American National Standards Institute. New York. " I I I ( . IYI ~ ~ ) J I I I . I I I I c I I'*I Mctlnid 1i)i ~ ~ p h i i l ~ t r r ~ d Furniturr " F E W - 7 8 I25 Grnvral Servicrs Administration. Washington, D.C.

West Gr rmanv AIIIIU~II Kqiort A i i t r i I . I I I C ~ I 1 ~ 1 1 1 1 1 ~ 1 '10n i~~t ion 01 t l i c (;rrman Inrt~tutr lor Furniture 'l'rchnology." Rosenheim.

' I 3 r a u n s hw<.lg turiiituic I <'51111g A N c w .l.d\k lor thc L G A I n s t i t u t r fur Warrntrst d r r Landesgewerbeanstalr. Nurnberg.

" L . . I I I I I ~ ~ ~ ( . ~ ~ ~ I I I ~ ~ . I I I ~ ~ . I I ~ H.tvcrrr l . ( ;A. Ein Wrgwt~tscr " LGA

I Iw I%t i r~n< . \ \ . i i i i I I I I \ ~ I~U~IOI I . I~ Furiiiturc Mdnufdc turrr '5 Association." Conlracl, June , 1977.

1!l7'l" I~i.iuiiliolrr I I I S ~ I I U I f u r t lo l r lors i hung. Wilhrlm Klauditz Instirut. Braunschweig. West Germany.

,I I ( Y I i i i o l~ f i v 0 r i t ~ n t c . d CompIcx " City of Braunsrhweig West Germany.

Nurnbrrg. 111 . ~ ~ l d i t ~ o n t o ~ I I V gcw'rdl rclrrcncc\ givm d b ~ r v c ~ . rar-ti of t h r organizations discussed has issued numerous publications dealing with test methods for various types of furniture.

tuichvrnio~v. t h v \ ~ . I I M I ~ \ I ~ I ~ makina I r d i r r 111 many iiiuntriri including those just discussed have issued standards and specifications which relate to furniture. T h e number of such do, 11111('111* 11111* I l l t C l I I W tII,,UldI1,l\

Selected References ti krlnian. Cdrl "t.unrpc~.in I'r'1tiiig Crntcr, " Funir luw D~srgri and Manufarfunng. March. 1979. I+ kclman. L i r l " 1 ' 1 1 ~ Swcdisli t~uri i i turr Rcsrarch Institutr." F u r n i l u r ~ Deszgn and Manufacfunng, April, 1979. Eckrlinm. Cdrl " P t ~ l ~ ~ r n i a i i i c l ' ca t s for Chairs." Funirlurr Design and Manu/aclunng, June , 1979. English. Mauricr. TvJInnir~nl o/ S l o n v Chicagu Norrhwrstrrn University Press, 1963 Nrutra. RN hard S u n n i n l Through D ~ ~ s r g n Lnndon: Oxford Univrrsity Prrss. 1969. Parkartl. V d n w 7'hc Wa.11t. Makcrs Nrw York: Pocket Bonks. 1970.

Definitions Tests which art, used to assrss how wrll a pirce of furniture may be expected to perform in service. Ordinarily. these tests simulate to some degree the conditions

d n d uw which might be cxpcired undrr normal conditions of use.

Go; no-go 1151s Trsts which do not d~ f f r r en t i a t r between different levels of performance: ra ther , they set minimum levels of performance which must be satisfied.

Graded perfornian<r t ~ s t s : Tests which diffrrentiate brtwren different levels of pcrformance.

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Architecture and Interior Design, Volume I: A Basic History Through the Seventeenth Century. (448 pp.) Volume 11: Europe and America From the Colonial Era To Today. (442 pp.) Victoria Kloss Ball, 1980. (John Wiley and Sons. Cloth edition: $45.00 per volume; $80.00 per set. Paper edition: $27.50 per volume; $50.00 per set.)

This scholarly two-volume work is based upon the premise that architecture, interior design and the decorative arts are interwoven to create a complete cultural tapestry. The first volume begins with prehistoric times and carries the reader through seventeenth- century Europe. Each chapter is preceded by an appropriate quotation representative of the specific era and closes with a descriptive summary. The body of the chapter contains a statement of cultural overview and includes information on architecture, interior architecture, furniture, textiles, ceramics, metal and glass. Specific buildings are cited and accompanied by pertinent data. The text is handsomely illustrated.

The high quality of written and illustrative material found in Volume I is also characteristic of Volume 11. This second book follows a similar format and continues to explore the interrelation- ships of architecture and interior design from seventeenth America through eighteenth Europe and America up to the present. Both books are highly readable, logical in organization and contain excellent bibliographies.

As the author states, “Architecture and its components are viewed in the light of their ability to create an interesting unity of space, color, and texture that will serve a mutual purpose. The in- tention - the why - of this work is to provide a coordinated history of those arts that have contributed toward such total architecture.” To this end she is highly successful. This is a signifi- cant work which makes a comprehensive design statement about European and American culture. In an era where specific technical training has often taken precedence over broader educational con- cepts, these books expose the reader to the fascinating panorama of historic design development. Whether they are used as texts or as supplemental references, these two volumes deserve a place in every interior design educator’s library.

Ann Erickson University of Minnesota

Creating an Interior, Helene Levenson, 1980. (Prentice- Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., $12.95)

What a disappointment to review yet another introductory text to the creating of interiors, and find such a potentially valuable collection of information which cannot be relied upon for accuracy.

Agreed there is a need for a more contemporary encyclopedic guide to planning interiors to update the familiar and authoritative Faulkner and Faulkner, Inside Today’s Home of 1972. (Sarah Faulkner’s 1980 Planning A Home didn’t aim to be so vast in scope, technical in nature, nor to replace the 1972 edition).

Yet Ms. Levenson has lost that opportunity by her careless (it almost seems hurried) inclusion of not-well-researched information passed on as factual. For example, a cursory examination turns up the meaning of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesen as “shining snow” rather than its true meaning “shining brow”; “Koufman House for “Kaufmann House” at Bear Run, Pennsylvania; and reference to

an “A.S.I.D. accredited school” rather than what was meant, a school accredited by FIDER. (This last mistake was made at least twice - in different chapters - although in the chapter on professional organizations the author did get it straight).

In addition to poor research, there are many misspellings, much poor syntax, inaccuracy in such things as titles and source identification, and redundancies galore. One would hope that such mistakes will be edited out in subsequent printings. But once such misinformation has been discovered it’s difficult to accept the credibility of other data.

The quality of the photographic work is inconsistent. Much of the commercial work is quite good and effectively used. However, photography of student work is replete with glaring images, shadows, faded-out lines, with some printed matter totally undecipherable. An overall amateurish effect.

On the positive side, a wealth of information is assembled in charts from General Electric Lighting Institute, the Illuminating Engineering Society, Architectural Graphic Standards (Ramsey and Sleeper), The Carpet and Rug Institute’s Carpet Specifiers Handbook and many others.

Terminology lists included at the ends of chapters are useful compilations. But the glossary at book’s end would be more helpful if it were not greatly abridged from its original source, Decorating Defined by Wilson and Leaman. One could also fault the super- ficial treatment of certain topics such as drapery measuring, mir- rors and fabrics as hardly worth including.

In effect, what Ms. Levenson has accomplished in her desire to provide a one-source book for students and lay persons, is to come off appearing careless, spotty, and unbalanced in her presentation of information.

Jeanne S. Rymer University of Delaware

Interior Design for Profit, Mary V . Knackstedt, 1980.

(Kobro Publications, Inc., New York, $17.00, 191 pp.)

Mary Knackstedt, ASID, NHFL, has been a professional interior designer for more than 20 years, and knows whereof she speaks regarding running a profitable business. In this succinct, practical guide she has analyzed the management tasks of the design business from top to bottom. She shares with readers all the pitfalls one might encounter and advice on how to organize one’s business to avoid them. Ms. Knackstedt points out that in business, 90% of a designer/manager’s time is spent on expediting, and only 10% in actual creative activity. And sadly, in academia about 10% of one’s training is directed toward learning how to expedite, and the rest toward development of skills and creative capabilities1

This book is written to fill the gap. But, she believes her streamlined methods of operating a business can be helpful also to established designers.

The first sentence in the introduction sets the tone for all that follows: “I feel it is immoral to lose money.” And from this takeoff point the reader is bombarded with management approaches, techniques and simplifications to make a business suceed.

This slim volume begins even before the formation of a design firm, with the advice to examine one’s personal goals as well as business goals. To this end Ms. Knackstedt provides a list of ques- tions which explore motivations, feelings, attitudes, and aptitudes to help determine one’s suitability for the profession.

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Documents

Performance And Quality Assurance Testing