DKS 2817:2018  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furniture — Wooden office table — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS  2018           First Edition 20 18 
 
 
 KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  (KEBS)  
DKS 2818:2018  
© KEBS 2018 – All rights reserved  
 TC Representation  
 
The following organizations were represented on the technical committee.  
 
Mr. Charl es Kalomba   Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Association (KNFJKA)  
Mr. Eliud Mbiyu    Shauri Moyo Furniture Association  
Mr. Lucas O. Oduk   Galua Fabricators  Ltd 
Mrs.Sylvia Gitonga   Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health  Services  (DOSHS)  
Mr. Ron ald Ngala   Village Furniture s 
Ms. Rose Mboya   Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)  
Oyoo T.O.  Secretariat   Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Ken ya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions for  
Improvements  to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards ,  
are welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2006  
 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by  virtue of section 6 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of the laws of Kenya, copyright 
subsists in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under section 7 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by 
Kenya Bureau of Standards may be reproduced, stored in a r etrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means 
without prior permission in writing from the Managing Director.  
 
 
                                                         DKS 2818:2018  
 
 
DRAFT KENYA STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furniture — Wooden office table — Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
Head Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi -00200, Tel.: (+254 020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020) 604031  
E-Mail: info@kebs.org , Web: http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region  Lake Region  North Rift Region  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa -80100  P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu -40100  P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru -20100  
Tel.: (+254 041) 2229563, 
2230939/40  Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22392  Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 
210555  
Fax: (+254 041) 229448  Fax: (+254 057) 21814  Fax: (+254 051) 2210076  
E-Mail: 
kebs_msa@swiftmombasa.com  E-mail: 
kebs_ksm@swiftkisumu.com   
 KENYA STANDARDS    DKS 2818:2018  
© KEBS 2018 – All rights reserved  
  
 
Foreword  
 
Kenya Bureau of Standards is a national standards bod y (NSB). The work of preparing Kenya  Standards is 
normally carried out through national  technica l committees. Each member body interested in a subject for 
which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. 
National  organizations, governmental and non -governmental, in liaison with KEBS , also take part i n the 
work.  
Kenya  Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the KS ISO/IEC  Directives, Part  2. 
The main task of technical committees is to prepare National  Standards. Draft Kenya  Standards adopted by 
the technical committees are circulat ed to the technical committee member s for ballo ting. Publication as a 
Kenya  Standard requires approval by at least 2/3 of the member s casting a vote.  
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of pat ent 
rights. KEBS  shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
This Kenya Standard  was prepared by Technical Committee KEBS /TC 164, Furniture . 
During the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following docum ents:  
 
IS 3663: 1993: Dimensions of tables and Chairs for office purposes  
 
The assistance derived from these publications is hereby acknowledged.  
 
   
KENYA STANDARD   DKS 2818:2018  
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 Wooden Office tables — Specification  
 
 
1 Scope  
 
This Draft  Kenya Standard prescribes the requirements and  methods of test for wooden tables for 
office use.  
 
2  Definitions  
 
2.1 
Table/Desk  
a  grouping  of  furniture  items  and  components,  providing  a  horizontal  or slightly  inclined  
work surf ace  or work surf aces, either fixed or adjustable  in height,  that facilitates the perf 
ormance of tasks in an office-like environment. 
 
2.2 
lip 
solid strip of wood often decoratively cut, used to finish the edge of a large element such as a top or 
edge of drawers, etc; Lipping is the process of setting lip onto a surface  
 
2.3 
ergonomics  
the study of the relationship between people and their environment, especially the science that seeks 
to adapt work and working conditions to the worker . 
 
2.4 Horizontal surface 
definitions  
2.4.1 
Primary  surface  
a  surface which  has  the  apparent  potential  for  the  highest loading  or a surface on which 
a person may sit. In cases where more than one horizontal surface of a desk exists, there 
may be more than one primary surface.  
2.4.2 
Secondary surface 
 a  surf ace  used  for  storage  (e.g. a shelf) or a dedicated surface located more than 762 mm 
above  the floor.  
2.4.3 
D edicated surface  
a surface located  at 762 mm or less from the floor w which is occupied exclusively by the 
equipment placed on the surface.  
2.4.4 
Adjustable keyboard surface  
a moveable  surface  w which  is  occupied  primarily by the keyboard. 
 
2.4 Office table  
 
2.4.1   
length O 
The length O of office table is the horizontal dimension of the longer side of the top of the work 
surface.  
 
2.4.2  
width P 
The width P is the horizontal dimension of the shorter side of the top of the work surface.  
 
2.4.3  KENYA STANDARDS    DKS 2818:2018  
© KEBS 2018 – All rights reserved  
 height H 
the height H is the vertical dimension from the floor to the top of the work surface measured on the 
front edge of the surface at the mid -point of  the length.  
 
2.4.4  
legroom  
the free space for the legs and feet under the work surface  
 
2.4.4.1  
height R 
the height R is the vertical dimension from the floor to the underside of the top of the desk, table or 
worktop.  
 
2.4.4.2  
length T 
The length T is the horizontal dimension across the kneehole.  
 
2.4.4.3 Width S 
the width S is the horizontal dimension of the legroom at the underside of the top of the desk, table or 
worktop.  
 
2.4.4.4 Width S1 
the width S 1 is the horizontal dimension of the legroom measu red at a reference point Y 100 mm 
above the floor.  
 
 
3 Footrest  
 
3.1 The working position may need to include a footrest in which case the footrest shall comply 
with the following:  
 
3.1.1 It shall be free standing.  
 
3.1.2  It shall ensure sufficient space f or the feet and allow changes in position.  The top surface 
shall be flat.  
 
3.1.3  Its dimensions shall be as specified in clause 5.3.  
 
 
4 Modesty panel  
Wooden office tables shall be fitted with modesty panel. When a modesty panel is fitted it shall 
provid e operator privacy under the work surface. The modesty panel shall finish no greater than 400 
mm from the floor when the work surface is in its highest position, and shall not interfere with work 
surface height adjustment.  
 
5  Classification  
5.1 General . The wooden table for office use shall be classified in accordance with their tabletops.  
 
5.2 Classification.  Wooden  tabletops shall be of the following types  
  
Type  description   
  
GP Painted surface for general purpose  
 
 GW Painted/enamelled surface, wash -able counters, etc  
 
 DV Decorative, veneered surface for use as decorative, polished or waxed veneered 
table tops   for office and domestic purposes  
 
 DP Overlayed with plastic, high pressure  decorative laminates  
 
   
KENYA STANDARD   DKS 2818:2018  
© KEBS 20 18 – All rights reserved  5  
6 MATERIAL S 
6.1 Table tops  
Tabletops shall be made from hard and soft solid wood and block boards. Office table tops shall not 
be made from chip boards or MDFs.  
 
Note: The hard wood shall include Mahogany , Meru oak , eucalyptus, caphor,  etc while the soft wood include cyprus, pine, 
podo, etc . 
 
6.1.1  Block board  
 
Block boards used in the manufacture of table tops shall conform to the requirements of the latest 
edition of KS 302 . 
 
6.1.2  Solid wood  
The solid wood used in the manufacture of table tops shall conform to the requirements of KSXX . 
 
6.2   Decorative Laminates . If decorative laminates are used as finishing on Table tops , they 
shall meet requirements of clauses 6.2.1, 6.2.2, 6.2.3, 6.2.4 and 6.2.5.  
 
6.2.1 Plastics  Decorative plastic laminate used for surface of Type DP wooden table tops shall 
conform to  CDXX1 (Under development) and shall be of mat finish or glossy finish.  
 
6.2.2 Veneer  decorative laminates , if used , shall conform to the requirements of  latest edition of ISO 
18776:2008 . 
 
6.2.3 Formica  decorative laminates , if used, shall conform to the r equirements of the relevant part of 
ISO 4586:2015.  
 
6.2.4 Perspex/glass  decorative laminates shall conform to the requirements of ISO 11963:2012 . 
 
6.2.5 Vanish. Varnish used for making GP, GW and DV Types of tabletops shall conform to the KS 
161: 1995 (Con firmed in 1999).  
 
6.3 Adhesives  
Adhesives used for joinery shall conform to the latest edition of KS 509 . 
 
6.3 Wooden Screws  shall conform to CDXX2   
 
 
7 DIMENSION AL REQUIREMENT S  
 
7.1 Nominal dimensions of the table tops  
 
7.1.1 Work  surface area  
 
The nominal  dimensions of the work surface or table top shall be in accordance with table 1.  The 
following requirements s h a l l  apply:  
 
(a)     The work surface area shall be adequate for the tasks to be performed at the desk. 
It  shall  be  large  enough   to  accommodate   a  screen,  keyboard   and  associated 
equipment  and  leave  sufficient  room  for w r i t i n g   and  for the  resting  of hands  and 
arms. The desk  shall  also  be large enough  to permit  items used regularly  to be w ithin  
easy  reach  of  the  operator  from  the  normal  operating  position  (see  Figure 2 (a)) . 
(b)     For s i n g l e    task o p e r a t i o n s    (e.g.  Keyboard   work), t h e w o r k  s u r f a c e  
s h a l l    have minimum dimensions of 1200 mm  800 mm.   
(c)     For mixed  t a s k s  (e.g.  Keyboard  a n d  clerica l work), the work  surf ace shall  ha ve  
minimum dimensions of 1600 mm  800 mm (see Figure 2(a)).  KENYA STANDARDS    DKS 2818:2018  
© KEBS 2018 – All rights reserved  
  
*  (d)     Under the desk there shall be ample knee space, sufficient room to prevent a mobile 
unit  from  protruding  beyond  the  front  of  the  work  surface  and  be  of  sufficient height  
to not impede a full work surf ace adjustment  if storage facilities are located u nder an 
adjustable  desk. 
 
7.2.2  Height adjustable work surfaces    The following requirements apply: 
(a)  Work surfaces with height adjustm ent capability  in the vertical direction shall  have a 
minimum travel of 150 mm (see Figure 1(c)).  
(b)  W here adjustable, the top of the work  surface shall include  a range of movement 
between 610 and 760 mm from the floor (see Figure 2(a)) . 
(c)     If  the  desk  height  adjustment  is  provided  in  steps,  they  shall  be  not  more  than 25 
mm apart.  
NOTE: Continual adjustment of the desktop is preferable.  
7.2.3    Mechanically assisted controls    The following requirements s h a l l  apply:  
(a)  All  controls  shall  be  easily  operated  from the  seated  position  without  requiring 
excessive  physical  effort  or  any  special  tools  or  equipment,  and  without  risk  of 
trapping the fingers. 
(b)  The  control  mechanism  should  be  smooth  and quiet  in operation,  and  stable  
when the  control  is released,  e.g. the height  control  shall  not wind down  under gravity 
alone. 
(c)  Control  knobs,  buttons  or  handles  shall  be  smooth  and  comfortable  to  the  hand 
and positioned to avoid personal injury and damage to clothing. They shall also be placed 
or shielded to avoid accidental operation .  Knobs and handles shall not be easily 
removable. 
(d)   The function and direction of movement of each control shall be clearly marked or 
otherwise o b v i o u s .   Mechanical   and e l e c t r i c a l    controls sh a l l    comply   with 
t h e conventions for directions of movement set out in IEC 447. 
(e)  Indicators shall also be provided so that the  operator can readily see the 
position of the work surf ace within the adjustment range. 
 
7.2.4 F ixed height work surfaces  
NOTE: A fixed height desk fit ted with an adjustable keyboard platform  is an alternative 
to the preferred option of a height adjustable desk. 
For  fixed height  work  surf aces,  the  height  of  the  work  surface  shall  be  not  less  
than 680 mm  and  not   greater   than   735 mm  with  the   keyboard   platform   being   
vertically adjustable  within a 120 mm range below the work surf ace. The height should  
be 700 mm to 720 mm. 
 
7.2.5 Work surface thickness    The  maximum  thickness  of the  work  surface over  the 
leg  space  including  any  supporting  structure  shall  be  33 mm (recommended  
thickness  = 25 mm or thinner). 
 
7.2.6 Work  surface finish   The following requirements shall apply: 
(a)  The work surface should be a light colour and have a satin or matt finish. 39883  
(b)  T he 
specular reflectance  of gloss should  be 50% or less w hen measured with a 60º 
gloss instrument in accordance with A STM D 523 Standard  test method for specular 
gloss greater than 0.50. 
(c)  The work surface finish should also be easy to clean and enable the user to w rite 
on a single sheet of paper without backing. 
7.2.7  Leg space   The following requirements apply:   
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8 (a)  Sufficient  space  should  be  provided   under   the  work  surface  to  allow  free  leg 
movement without obstruction. 
(b)  The minimum knee  space shall  be 650 mm wide and 450 mm deep (see Figure 3). 
For  fixed  height  work  surfaces  the  minimum  height  of  the  knee  space  shall  be 
645 mm. 
(c)  Leg space  depth  front to  back,  measured at a distance  above  the floor of 120 mm 
shall be a minimum of 600 mm (see Figure 3). Leg space depth should be available 
over a full 650 mm width. 
NOTES: 
1 Leg space depth is measured horizontally from front to back.  T his c r i t e r i o n  
ensures users are able to sit at the desk without encountering restriction at knee level. 
2 Leg space  width is measured  horizontally  with any fixed or mobile storage  unit  or 
any  other  equipment  in  place.  The  minimum  requirement  is  necessary  to  allow 
changes  in  leg  posture  and  to  facilitate chair  swivel  for  reaching  to  the  side  or 
getting  on and off the chair. 
(d) When an adjustable keyboard platform is fitted, the 650 mm wide unobstructed knee  
space should be maintained.  Where this  is  not  possible  the  mechanism  supporting the  
platform  shall  not  protrude  into  the  knee  space  by  more  than  80 mm  at  any setting.  
The  mechanism  shall  be  free  of  sharp  edges,  protrusions  and  entrapment hazards 
that could cause injury to the seated user. 
 
7.2.8 Modesty  panel   When a modesty panel is fitted it shall provide operator privacy un der  
the  work  surf ace. The modesty  panel  shall  finish no greater  than  400 mm from the  floor 
when the work surf ace is in its  highest  position,  and shall  not  interfere with work surface 
height adjustment. 
NOTE:  It  is  recommended  that  there  be  a  minimum  gap  of  approximately  120 mm  from  
the floor. 
7.2.9  St anding  desk    Where  a  desk  is  not  adjustable,  the  work  surf ace  shall  be  a 
maximum of 950 mm in height (preferred 900 mm). Where the work surf ace is adjustable in 
height, it should at least include the range of 900–1100 mm from the floor. 
 
The nominal dimensions of the offi ce tabletops shall be as given in table 2. 
 
7.3 Footrests  (see Fig. 1)  
 
The dimensions of footrests, if provided, shall be:  
 
 Length Q 1: 450 mm, Min.  
 Width Q 2:   350 mm, Min  
 Height Q 3:   
Fixed: front edge l1, 40 ± 5 mm  
             rear edge l2, 100 mm, Min 
 
   Adjustable: front edge l1, 35 mm, Min  
   slope 10o to 20o 
 
 
Figure 1. Ergonomic dimensions of table  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA STANDARDS    DKS 2818:2018  
© KEBS 2018 – All rights reserved  
  
 
 
DIMENSIONS IN MM  
 
Figure 2. Dimensions for Office table/desk  
 
   
KENYA STANDARD   DKS 2818:2018  
© KEBS 20 18 – All rights reserved  9  
 
 
Table 1: Dimensions of Wooden Table Tops  
 
 
All dimensions in millim etres  
Length     Width  
 
1200        600 
1200        700 
1500        900 
1800        900 
1800     1200  
 
NOTE -Tolerance of length and width is  6 mm.  
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 3.Leg Space Dimensions  
 
 
 
8 Functional Safety  
8.1 The corners /edges  of the table  top shall not have s harps and shall be well rounded. A minimum 
radius of 2 mm shall be recommended.  
8.2 All surfaces of the table  including the underside of the table  top, shall be free of projection and 
other hazards that could cause personal injury or damage to clothing.  
8.3 Motors should not cause interference or damage to equipment memory. 
8.4 Wiring and cabling shall comply with relevant Standards. 
 
 
9 Lipping  
 
Lipping shall be given to the boards on all the four sides in any of the following manner:  
 
a)  Solid W ood Lipping — This s hall be externally given by either giving 6 mm to 12 mm thick 
strip of seasoned wood to cover the full thickness of the table top, or by providing a wood en 
moulding of 12.5 mm thickness which is glued and inserted into a suitable groove, cut in the 
sides o f the board.  Care shall be taken that the timber is well seasoned; well preserved, and 
as far as possible matches in colour and texture with the face of the table top.  
 KENYA STANDARDS    DKS 2818:2018  
© KEBS 2018 – All rights reserved  
 197.156.139.206  b)  Veneered Lipp ing — The lipping may also be done by glueing a strip of veneer of th ickness 
not less than 0.5 mm, or plywood of thickness not less than 1 mm.  
c)  Lipping of Decorative Plastic Laminates — The lipping for wooden table top type DP may be 
of strips of decorative plastic laminate of thickness 0.8 mm to 1.4 mm and of design to  match 
or contrast with the surface of the table top and fixed on to the sides by use of adhesives as 
given in (a).  
 
9.3  Wooden table tops type DV shall be made from veneered particle boards of decorative type 
with well matched veneered surface of the spe cified timber. Usual decorative timber used for 
tabletops of this type are teak wood and rosewood. The lipping of Type DV table tops shall be of the 
same timber as the decorative veneered and shall match in colour, figure and texture of the 
decorative vene er ed surface.  
 
9.4 Wooden table tops Type GP and GW shall be made from wood particle boards or veneered 
particle boards, or blockboards or general purpose plywood and lipped in accordance with 6.2 (a), (b) 
or (c). Wooden table tops for Type GW shall be ma de from base material bonded with Type BWR of 
adhesives and of suitable timbers which can take backing enamel painted and suitably baked.  
 
10  TESTS  
 
Tabletops shall be tested as in accordance with latest editions of KS ISO 4211, Parts 1,2,3 and 4 and 
shall pass test.  
 
10.1  Dimensions  
 
The samples shall be checked to conform to the dimensions and tolerances specified in table 1  and 
figures 2 and 3  above.  
 
10.2  STRENGTH AND  DURABILITY REQUIREMENTS  
 
10.1    GENERA L   The t e s t s  s p e c i f i e d  in C l a u s e s  10.2 and 11.2 s h a l l  be 
c o n d u c t e d    in sequence and on the same desk. 
NOTE: W here a desk has a return; it is to be tested in its assembled state for all tests 
other than the drop and racking tests. 
 
10.2    PERFOR MAN CE R EQU IR EMEN TS  
10.2.1    Horizontal surface static  load test   When tested in accordance with Appendix 
A , the following shall apply:  
(a)     No  structural  breakage  deformation  or  loss  of  serviceability  shall  result  from  
the application  of the functional loads.  
(b)     Any deflection of the work surf ace resulting from application  of the functional  load 
shall not  exceed  1%  of its  length,  and  any  residual  deflection of the work surface 
after testing shall not exceed 10 mm.  
(c)     A pull force (w eight) to overcome the anti-rebound or interlock device  and to fully 
extend the drawer shall not exceed 4.1 kg.  
(d)     No failure that wou ld cause personal injury  shall result from the application of the 
proof loads.  
10.2.2    Top load cyclic test   When tested in accordance with Appendix B, the 
following shall apply:  
39883  
(a)     No  structural  damage,  deformation  or  loss  of  serviceability  shall  result  from  
the application of the test load.  
(b)     A pull force (w eight) to overcome the anti-rebound or interlock device  and to fully 
extend the drawer shall not exceed 4.1 kg.    
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8 * 10.2.3    Lock test for drawers supported by work surfaces    When tested in 
accordance w ith Appendix C, the drawer shall not open  during the pull test,  the locking  
mechanism shall operate normally after the test and no component shall become 
dislodged.  
10.2.4    Outstop   test   for   drawers   supported   by   work   surfaces    When   
tested   in accordance   with   Appendix   D, the   unit   shall   not   structurally   fail   or  
show   loss   of serviceability, including  outstops and mounting hardware.  
10.2.5    Rebound   test   for   drawers   supported   by   work   surfaces    When   
tested   in accordance with Appendix E, the following shall apply:  
(a)     No opening shall exceed 40 mm at any at-rest 
position.  
(b)     The unit shall have no structural damage or loss of 
serviceability.  
10.2.6    Racking test    When tested  in  accordance  with  Appendix  F, the  following  
shall apply: 
(a)     The desk shall be serviceable and the locking systems 
operational.  
(b)     There  shall  be  no  structural  damage  or  loss  of  rigidity  to  the  end  panels,  
legs, glides, castors or base.  
(c)     A pull force (w eight) to overcome the anti-rebound or interlock device  and to fully 
extend the drawer shall not exceed 4.1 kg. 
 
10.2.7    Drop  test    When  tested  in  accordance  with  Appendix  G ,  the  following  shall 
apply: 
 
(a)     There shall be no structural breakage or loss of serviceability particularly  that could 
cause personal injury to the user.  
(b)     A pull force (w eight) to overcome the anti-rebound or interlock device and to fully 
extend the drawer shall not exceed 4.1 kg.  
10.2.8    Leg  strength  test    When  tested  in  accordance  with  Appendix  H,  the  following 
shall apply:  
(a)     Functional lo a d s  shall  have no structural breakage, deformation , loss of rigidity or 
loss of serviceability as a result of application of the functional load.  
(b)     Proof loads shall  have no failure that would  cause personal  injury from  application of a 
proof load applied once.  
10.2.9    Horizontal   and   vertical   adjustment t e s t  s    When t e s t e d    in   a ccordance   
with Appendix I, the unit shall remain functional with no reduction in adjustment range and 
no structural damage that could cause personal injury. 
 
11. STABILITY REQUIREMENT  
 
11.1    GENERA L   The test below shall be p e r f o r m e d  on the same desk that w as 
tested in 
Clause 
1 0 2 . 
 
11.2    PERFOR MAN CE R EQU IR EMEN T   When tested in accordance with Annex  J, the 
following shall apply:  
(a)     The desk shall not tip 
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8 (b)     No structural breakage or loss of serviceability of a desk or components shall 
result from application of the test. 
 
12. REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPONENETRS AND MATERIALS  
 
12.1    R ESISTAN  CE TO HU MI DI TY C HA N GES  
12.1.1    General    When  a  desk  is  specified  to  be  used  in  high  humidity   or  possible 
cycling humidity  environment, material, adhesive and finish shall be resistant to changing 
environmental  conditions  and comply with criteria specified in A FRDI Test Method 104. 
The following conditions shall be applied for testing:  
(a)     Humidity 35%, temp. 23 ±2º C, time 3 weeks.  
(b)     Humidity 65%, temp. 23 ±2º C, time 3 weeks.  
(c)     Humidity 95%, temp. 23 ±2º C, time 3 weeks. 
12.1.2    Performance   requirement    When   tested   in   accordance    with   A FRD I   Test 
Method 104  there  shall  be  no  apparent  defects  or changes  (splitting,  gaps,  glue  failure, 
delamination  veneer or cracking). 
 
12.2    METAL  CO MPON ENTS   The following requirements apply:  
(a)     All  metal  components,  shall  be  finished  to  leave  no  sharp,  rough  or  dangerous 
surfaces.  
(b)     All exposed  metal  surfaces where a risk of corrosion exists shall be treated with a 
non-corrosive,  durable  coating  prepared  and  applied  in  accordance  with  coating 
manufacturers ’ recommendations. The finish shall have adequate resistance to w ear.  
(c)     Chromium  plating  where  required shall comply with A S 1192.  The surfaces are to be 
prepared and plating applied in accordance with sound trade practices. 
 
13. MARKING, INSTRUCTUONS AND TEST REPORT  
 
13.1  MAR KIN G   REQUI R EMENTS   A ND   INS TRU CTION S   All   desks   shall   be supplied 
with full operating instructions and clearly marked with the following: 
(a) The manufacturer’s/suppliers or importer’s name and address.  
(b) The date of manufacture. 
 
13.2 TEST R EPORTS   Test  reports shall be reproduced  in full, be provided  on request and  
include  a summary of compliance  with the functional  requirements  in this  Standard. and 
shall include the information  listed in the Paragraphs titled ‘Report’ in Appendices  A to K . 
 
 
NOTE: Manufacturers making a s tatement of compliance w ith this Kenya  Standard on a product, 
packaging,  or promotional material related to that product are advised to ensure that such compliance 
is capable of being verified.KENYA STANDARD    NWI 08:2017 
© KEBS 2005 – All rights reserved  3 Construction  
 
The construction shall be checked for conformity to the particulars in the order and type as given in clause 3.  
When tes ted in accordance with KS ISO 7172, it shall pass test.  
 
7.3  Surface Finish  
 
The surface shall be checked to be smooth, uniform , non -glossy  and free from any stain and warp.  
 
7.4  Glue Adhesion  
 
The adhesion of plastic overlay, rexine or other overlay, su rface veneer and tipping shall be checked by 
forcible separation at the glue line with the use of a prising knife. The glue line shall offer resistance of to 
forcible separation and the opened surface should show some adherent fibres, when tested in accord ance 
with KS 302 . 
 
7.5  Leading Test  
 
The tabletop shall be supported on full length of the board of triangular edge supports parallel to each other 
and 800 mm apart and to the full depth of the table top. It shall then be loaded at the centre, l00 mm port ion, 
uniformly by first putting on it a wooden batten 100 mm wide and minimum 75 mm thick and full length of the 
depth of the table top. Over this shall be put suitable loads at the centre by either a suitable loading machine 
or iron weight suitably increa sing the load to a maximum of 500 N and in lots of 100 N. The load shall be left 
for a period of 24 hours and removed thereafter. The table top shall show:  
 
a)  no sign of warp,  
 
b)  no separation of surface paint or overlay or underlay, and  
 
c)  no damage  to the lipping.  
 
 
7.6  Resistance of the Surface to Dry heat  
 
The surface of the wooden tabletops Types DP and GW shall be tested for resistance to dry heat in 
accordance with KS ISO 4211 -3 
 
 
7.7 Resistance of the Surface to Wet Heat   
 
The surface of the table tops Type DP and GW shall be tested for resistance to wet heat in accordance with 
KS ISO 4211 -2 
 
7.8 Resistance of Surface to Marking by Oils and Fats  
 
When tested in accordance with IS 5807 (Part 3): 1971 the test sample surface of Type GP and GW sh all 
conform to clauses 6 and 7 of IS 5807 (Part 3): 1971.  
 
7.9  Resistance of Surface to Marking by Liquids  
 
The surface of the test sample of Type GP and GW shall be tested in accordance with KS ISO 4211  (Part  3). 
The minimum qualifying average rating sh all conform to clause 8 of IS 5807 (Part J) 1975.  
 
7.10 Type Test  
 
7.10.1  Resistance of Surface to Mechanical Damage  
 
The surface of the test sample shall be tested for impact, cross -cut and scrape test in accordance with KS 
ISO 4211  (Part 4).  
 KENYA STANDARDS    DKS 2818:2018  
© KEBS 2018 – All rights reserved  
 7.11 Stabi lity test  
 
When tested in accordance with KS ISO 7172, the table shall pass the test.  
 
8  FINISH  
 
The wooden table shall have a smooth finish on the surface and the sides and shall be delivered in a neat 
and dry form.  
 
9 PACKAGING AND MARKING  
 
9.1 PACKAGIN G 
 
Each table shall be suitably packed to protect it from damage during transportation.  
 
9.2  MARKING  
 
All wooden tabletops shall be marked with a registered trademark or a suitable mark identifying the 
manufacturer, the type, the sizes and thickness of th e wooden tabletop.  
 KENYA STANDARD    NWI 08:2017 
© KEBS 2005 – All rights reserved  5 ANNEX A  
(Normative Reference)  
 
LIST OF REFERRED STANDARDS  
 
IS No.    TITLE  
 
IS 287: 1973   Recommendations for maximum permissible moisture content for timber used for  
   different purposes (second revision)  
 
 
KS ISO 12466 -1: 1999  Plywoo d for general purposes (second revision)  
 
IS 401 1982   Code of practice for preservation of timber (third revision)  
 
KS 509: 1985   Synthetic resin adhesives for plywood phenolic and aminoplastic ( first revision)  
 
KS 94: 1985   Synthetic resin adhesives for construction work (non -structural) in wood (first  
   Revision ) 
 
IS 1141: 1973   Code of practice for seasoning of timber ( first revision)  
 
KS 02 -302: 1983  Blockboards for general purposes — Specification  
 
KS ISO 7172: 19 88 Furniture — Tables — Determination  of stability  
(Confirmed 2012)  
 
KS ISO 4211 -2  Furniture — Test for surfaces — Part 2: Assessment of resistance to wet heat.  
 
KS ISO 4211 -3  Furniture — Test for surfaces — Part 3: Assessment of resistance to dry heat.  
 
KS ISO 4211 -3  Furniture — Test for surfaces — Part 4: Assessment of resistance to impact.  
 
IS 2046: 1969 (CD XX1) Decorative thermosetting synthetic resin bonded laminated sheets (first  revision)  
 
IS 3087:1985   Wood particle boards (medium density) for gene ral purposes (first revision)  
 
IS 3097:1980   Veneered particle boards (first revision)  
 
IS 4835:1979   Polyvinyl acetate dispersion based adhesives for wood (first revision)  
 
IS 5807  
(Part 1): 1975   Method of test for clear finishes for wooden furniture  
 
 IS 5807  
(Part2): 1975   Resistance  to wet beat (first revision)  
 
 IS 5807  
(Part 3 ) 1971   Resistance to marking by oils and fats  
 
IS 5807  
(Part4): 1975   Resistance to marking by liquids  
 
IS 5807  
(Part6): 1978   Resistance to mechanical damage  
 
IS 6760:1972 (CDXX2) Slotted countersunk head wo od screws  
 
IS 12406: 1988   Medium density fibre boards for general purposes.