KENYA STANDARD                                                                                      KS 2818:2018  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furniture — Office panel systems —Workstations   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 201 8           First Edition 201 8 
 
 KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  (KEBS)  KENYA STANDARD     KS 2818:2018  
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 TC Representati on 
 
The following organizations were represented on the technical committee.  
 
Mr. Charles 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. Ronald 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, Kenya 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 St andard produced by 
Kenya Bureau of Standards may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means 
without prior permission in writing from the Managing Director.  
 
 
 KENYA STANDARD     KS 2818:2018  
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DRAFT KENYA STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Furniture — Office panel s ystems—Workstations   
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
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 KENYA STANDARD     KS 2818:2018  
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 Foreword  
 
Kenya Bureau of Standards is a national standards bod y (NSB). The work of preparing Kenya  Standards 
is normally carried out through national  technical 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 n on-governmental, in liaison with KEBS , also take part in 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 circulated 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 
patent 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 t his standard, reference was made to the following documents:  
 
IS 3663: 1993: Dimensions of tables and Chairs for office purposes  
 
The assistance derived from these publications is hereby acknowledged.  
 
 
 
 KENYA STANDARD     KS 2818:2018  
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Office panel systems —Workstations  
 
 
 
S E C T I O N 1 S C O P E A N D G E N E R A L  
 
1 SCOPE This Kenya Standard sets out the requirements for the evaluation, design, and  selection of 
office workstations. It specifies minimum requirements for  function, strength, durability and stability of 
workstations,  leaving designers and  manufacturers the maximum opportunity to develop suitable 
products.  
 
This Standard does not apply to mobile workstations or special cases such as schools, where  the height 
of counters or benches, for example, might vary from those sp ecified in this  Standard.  
 
2. DEFINITIONS  
For the purpose of this Standard the definitions below apply.  
 
2.1  
Adjustable keyboard surface  
a moveable surface which is occupied primarily by the keyboard.  
 
2.2  
Importer  
the persons or corporate body assuming  legal responsibility for the product, if the product is not 
manufactured in Kenya.  
 
2.3  
Manufacturer  
the persons or corporate body assuming legal responsibility for the product under relevant, if the product 
is manufactured in Kenya.  
 
2.4  
Modular system s furniture  
modular furniture made up of independent work surface and storage units with panels used as end panels 
or space dividers. Includes all modular furniture components that collectively are required to complete a 
workstation.  
 
2.5  
Non-load-bearing  panel or screen  
all freestanding screens that provide visual or acoustical separations, or both and are intended to be used 
to divide space, but not to be used to support furniture items physically.  
 
2.6  
Panel system products  
the freestanding, non -load b earing panels, panel -supported systems, modular systems and various hang -
on components used in conjunction with panel systems.   
 
2.7  
Panel -supported  
individually connected panels and work surface, filing, storage, and shelving components and 
accessories t hat receive their primary support from the panels and that, when combined, form complete 
workstations.  
 
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 2.8  
Workstation  
a grouping of furniture items and components either fixed or adjustable in height that, when assembled 
designates where a person perfo rms work in an office and facilitates the performance of tasks.  
 
 
S E C T I O N 2 F U N C T I O N A L R E Q U I R E M E N T S  
 
3 STRENGTH  AND DURABILITY  
Strength and durability requirements are specified in Section 3.  
 
4 STABILITY  
Stability requirements are specified in Section 4.  
 
5 WORK SURFACE RESISTANCES   
The work surface requirements for resistance to mechanical damage, liquids, heat and impact are 
specified in Section 5.  
 
6 COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS  
Material, adhesive and finish requirements are spe cified in Section 6.  
 
7 TOLERANCE  
Unless otherwise stated all forces and masses shall be measured to an accuracy of ±5% and all 
dimensions to an accuracy of ±2 mm.  
 
8 SAFETY  
 
8.1 The following safety requirements apply:  
(a) Electrically operated workstat ions shall comply with KS IEC 60335 -1. 
 
(b) Motors should not cause interference or damage to equipment memory.  
 
(c) The corners of the working surface support structure and keyboard platform, if fitted, shall have no 
sharp edges and shall be well rounded.  A minimum radius of 2 mm is recommended.  
 
(d) All surfaces of the workstation including the underside of the workstation top shall be free of projection 
and pinch points that could cause personal injury or damage to clothing.  
 
(e) All adjustable mechanism s accessible from the seated position shall be constructed to prevent finger 
or hand entrapment or cause other injuries to the user.  
 
(f) Wiring and cabling shall comply with relevant standards.  
 
8.2 CABLE MANAGEMENT  
Facilities should be incorporated with in the workstation  design to accommodate the cables required for 
power, data transmission, and telephone  demands of the workstation. Provision should also be made to 
stow excess cable and allow  for cable and equipment maintenance.  
 
Switches which are used regularly should be readily accessible.  Cable and ducting systems shall comply 
with relevant standards.  
 
8.3 STORAGE FACILITIES  
Storage facilities for frequently used items should be  provided at each workstation and should — 
(a) be stable and not present a  hazard when fully loaded;  
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 (b) be constructed so that they can be opened, closed, and locked (when lockable) from the  normal 
operating position; and  
 
(c) when located under an adjustable work surface, should be of a height so that full work  surface 
adjust ment is not impeded.  
 
8.4 DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS —SEATEDWORKSTATIONS (see Figure 1)  
 
8.4.1. Work surface area  
The following requirements apply:  
 
(a) The work surface area should be adequate for the tasks to be performed at the workstation (see 
Clause 5).  It should be large enough to accommodate a screen, keyboard and associated equipment, and 
leave enough room for writing and for the  resting of hands and arms. The workstation should also be 
large enough to permit items used regularly to be within easy rea ch of the operator from the normal 
operating  position (see Figure 1(a)).  
 
(b) For single task operations (e.g. keyboard work), the work surface shall have minimum dimensions of 
1200 mm × 800 mm.  
 
(c) For mixed tasks (e.g. keyboard and clerical work), the w ork surface shall have minimum dimensions of 
1600 mm × 800 mm.  
 
(d) Under the work surface there shall be ample knee space, sufficient room to prevent a mobile storage 
unit from protruding beyond the front of the work surface and sufficient height to not i mpede full work 
surface adjustment if storage facilities are located under an adjustable work surface.  
 
8.4.2 Height adjustable work surfaces  
The following requirements apply:  
(a) Work surfaces with height adjustment capability in the vertical direction s hall have a minimum travel of 
150 mm.  
 
(b) Where adjustable, the top of the work surface shall include a range of movement  between 610 and 
760 mm from the floor (see Figure 1(a)).  
 
(c) If the workstation height adjustment is provided in steps, they shall b e not more than  25 mm.  
 
NOTE: Continual adjustment of the desktop is preferable.  
 
 
 
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DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES  
FIGURE 1(a) DIMENSIONS FOR SEATED WORKSTATION  
 
8.4.4 Fixed height work surfaces  
 
NOTE: A fixed height workstation with an adjustable keyboar d platform is an alternative to the  preferred option of a 
height adjustable workstation.  
 
For fixed height work surfaces, 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 a djustable within a range of 120 mm 
below the work surface. The height should preferably be 700 mm to 720 mm.  
 
8.4.5 Work surface thickness  
The maximum thickness of the work surface over the leg space including any supporting structure shall 
be 33 mm (reco mmended thickness = 25 mm or thinner).  
 
8.4.6 Work surface finish  
The following requirements apply:  
 
(a) The work surface should be a light colour and have a satin or matt finish.  
 
(b) The specular reflectance of gloss for furniture surfaces shall be 50% or less when measured with a 
60° gloss instrument in accordance with ASTM D523 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 write on  a single sheet of 
paper with out backing.  
 
8.4.7 Leg Space  
The following requirements apply:  
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 (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. For fixed hei ght work surfaces the 
minimum height of the knee space shall be 645 mm.  
 
(c) Leg space depth front to back measure d at a distance above the floor of 120 mm shall be a minimum 
of 600 mm (see Figure 1(b)). Leg space depth should be available over the full 65 0 mm width.  
 
NOTES:  
1 Leg space depth is measured horizontally from front to back. This ensures that 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 drawe r, storage unit or any other equipment in 
place. This 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 fit ted, 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, protru sions 
and entrapment hazards that could cause injury to the seated user.  
 
(e) Work surface, supports, cables and other equipment should not encroach into leg space.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES  
FIGURE 1(b) EXAMPLES OF WORKSTATION LAYOUTS FOR SBE AND MI XED TASKS  
 
 
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 8.4.8 Modesty panel  
When a modesty panel is fitted it should provide operator privacy under the work surface. The modesty 
panel should finish no greater than 400 mm from the floor when the work surface is in its highest position, 
and should n ot interfere with work surface height adjustment.  
 
NOTE: It is recommended that there be a minimum gap of approximately 120 mm from the floor.  
 
8.5 COUNTER WORKSTATIONS  
 
8.5.1 General design requirements  
Counters may embody the following features:  
 
(a) A w ork surface for operators.  
 
(b) Enough space for the screen -based and associated equipment, including room for the  operator to be 
positioned a comfortable distance from the screen.  
 
(c) An appropriate surface for customers, e.g. space for displaying or sig ning documents,  a shelf for bags.  
 
(d) Comfortable reach distances for operator and customer consistent with security  requirements.  
 
(e) Roughly equal eye -level positions for operator and customer.  
 
(f) Safe access to and from any raised platforms.  
 
(g) Ba rriers to prevent the falling or tripping of people over any raised platforms.  Counters should also 
comply with the appropriate requirements of Clause 8.5.2. 
 
8.5.2 Standing workstation  
When the workstation is not adjustable, the work surface  should be ap proximately 950 mm in height. 
When the work surface is adjustable in height,  it should at least include the range of 900 mm to 1100 mm 
from the floor.  On the customer’s  side, the counter should be not lower than 1020 mm and not higher than 
1200 mm.  
 
 
 
8.5.3 Seated workstation  
Where the operator is seated, eye -level contact between operator  and customer may be maintained by 
raising the floor area or providing a height adjustable  chair incorporating a footrest behind the counter.  
Where the customer is standi ng, the counter height should be not less than 1020 mm and not  greater 
than 1200 mm on the customer’s side. Where a raised platform is used, the work  surface height on the 
operator’s side shall be as specified for a seated workstation in this  Standard.  
 
 
S E C T I O N 3 S T R E N G T H A N D D  U R A B I L I T Y  R E Q U I R E M E N T S  
 
9.1 GENERAL The tests specified in Clauses 9.2 and 10.2 shall be conducted in sequence  and on the 
same panel system product.  
 
9.2 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS  
 
9.2.1 Mechanical s trength test for panel system products  
When tested in accordance  with KS 2819  Part 1 , the following shall apply:  
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 (a) For functional loads No structural damage, or loss of serviceability of a panel system,  including the 
panel’s work surface, shelves, conn ectors or other components shall result  from the application of the 
functional loads.  
 
(b) For proof loads No failure of a panel system, work surface, shelves, connectors or  other components 
that would cause personal injury shall result from the applicatio n of the proof loads.  
 
9.2.2 Static load test for storage shelves  
When tested in accordance with KS 2819: 2018 Part 2 , the following shall apply:  
 
(a) For functional loads No structural breakage or loss of serviceability shall result from  application of t he 
functional static load.  
 
(b) For proof loads No failure that would cause personal injury shall result from  application of the proof 
static load.  
 
9.2.3 Cabinet test When tested in accordance with KS 2819: 2018  Part 3 , the following shall apply:  
 
(a) For functional loads No structural breakage or loss of serviceability shall result from  application of the 
functional static load.  
 
(b) For proof loads No failure that would cause personal injury shall result from  application of the proof 
static load.  
 
9.2.4 Static load test for work surfaces without supported drawers  
When tested in  accordance with KS 2819: 2018  Part 4 , the following shall apply:  
 
(a) For functional loads The following shall apply:  
 (i) No structural breakage or loss of serviceability shall r esult from application of  the functional static 
load.  
 
 (ii) Any deflection of the work surface shall not exceed 1% of its length, and any  residual deflection of 
the work surface after testing shall not exceed 10 mm.  
 
(b) For the proof load No failure that  would cause personal injury shall result from  application of the proof 
static load.  
 
9.2.5 Static load test for work surfaces with supported drawers  
When tested in  accordance with KS 2819: 2018  Part 5 , the following shall apply:  
 
(a) For functional loads  The following shall apply:  
(i) No structural breakage or loss of serviceability shall result from  application of the functional static 
load.  
(ii) Each drawer, when closed individually, shall remain closed.  
(iii) Any deflection of the work surface during l oad shall not exceed 1% of its  length, and any residual 
deflection of the work surface after testing shall not  exceed 10 mm.  
 
(b) For the proof load No failure that would cause personal injury shall result from application of the proof 
static load.  
 
9.2.6 Lock test for drawers supported by work surfaces  
When tested in accordance with KS 2819: 2018  Part 6 , the drawer shall not open during the pull test, the 
locking mechanism shall operate normally after the test and no component shall become dislodged.  
 
 
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 9.2.7 Outstop test for drawers supported by work surfaces  
When tested in accordance with KS 2819: 2018  Part 7 , the unit shall not structurally fail nor show loss of 
serviceability, including outstops and mounting hardware.  
 
9.2.8 Rebound test for drawers s upported by work surfaces  
When tested in accordance with KS 2819: 2018  Part 8 , 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.  
 
9.2.9 Dislodgme nt test for panel -mounted components  
When tested in accordance with KS 2819: 2018  Part 9 , the component shall not become dislodged and 
no structural breakage or loss of  serviceability shall result from application of the force.  
 
9.2.10 Horizontal and vert ical adjustment tests  
When tested in accordance with  KS 2819: 2018  Part 10 , the unit shall remain functional with no reduction 
in adjustment range and no structural damage that could cause personal injury.  
 
 
S E C T I O N 5 W O R K S U R F A C E R E S I S  T A N C E  
 
10.1 GENERAL The work surface shall be tested for resistance to mechanical damage, wet heat, dry 
heat, staining agents and cleaning agents in accordance with one of the following:  
 
(a) KS 2819: 2018  Part 12  Standard if the work surface has a la cquer finish.  
 
(b) KS ISO 4586 -7:2015 , if the work surface has a high pressure laminate finish.  
 
(c) KS ISO 15234:1999  if the work surface has a melamine or other synthetic surface finish.  
 
NOTE: Other materials than those specified in Clause 5.1(a), (b) o r (c) shall be tested to ensure they have equivalent 
resistance to mechanical damage and staining.  
 
10.2 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS  
When tested in accordance with the above Standard, the work surface shall meet the requirements for 
severe use in the case of  the lacquer finish or in the case of any other finishes shall meet the maximum 
requirement specified in the Standard.  
 
 
SECTION 6 REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS  
 
11.1 RESISTANCE TO HUMIDITY CHANGES  
11.1.1 General When a product is specified to be used in high humidity or a possible cycling humidity 
environment, then it is required that material, adhesives and finish are resistant to changing 
environmental conditions and comply with criteria specified in AFRDI Test Method 104.  
 
The following cond itions shall be applied for testing:  
(a) Humidity 35%, temp. 23 ±2° C, time 3 weeks.  
(b) Humidity 65%, temp. 23 ±2° C, time 3 weeks.  
(c) Humidity 95%, temp. 23 ±2° C, time 3 weeks.  
11.1.2 Performance requirement  
When tested in accordance with AFRDI Test M ethod 104, there shall be no apparent defects or changes 
(splitting, gaps, glue failure, delamination or veneer cracking).  
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 11.2 METAL COMPONENTS  
The following requirements apply:  
(a) All metal components shall be finished to leave no sharp, rough or dang erous surfaces.  
 
(b) All exposed metal surfaces where a risk of corrosion exists shall be treated with a noncorrosive,  
durable coating prepared and applied in accordance with the coating manufacturer’s recommendations. 
The finish shall have adequate resist ance to wear.  
 
(c) Chromium plating where required shall comply with KS ISO 4539:1980 . The surfaces are to be 
prepared and plating applied in accordance with sound trade practices.  
 
11.3 FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS  
Panels shall meet the current requirements  for internal walls and panels as specified in the Building Code 
of Kenya . When no criteria are  specified, the fabric, or foam and fabric combination shall meet the 
burning behaviour performance requirements specified in KS ISO 8191.  
 
 
 
11.4 ACOUSTIC  REQUI REMENTS FOR PANELS  
For a panel to be deemed an acoustic panel it shall meet the following requirements.  
 
(a) It shall have a sound absorption coefficient of no less than 0.60. The value is to be determined by 
testing to KS ISO 354 . 
 
(b) It shall have a so und transmission class rating (STC) of no less than 20. The STC class is to be 
determined in accordance with KS ISO 717 . 
 
If a workstation is required to meet specific acoustic requirements all panels shall have acoustic 
properties which comply with approp riate standards.  
 
11.5 AIR CIRCULATION REQUIREMENTS  
The workstation shall provide for natural  air circulation if required.  
  
S E C T I O N 7 M A R K I N G, I N S T R U C T I O N S A N D T E S T R E P O R T  
 
12.1 MARKINGREQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS  
All furniture items shall be supplied with full operating instructions and clearly marked with the following:  
 
(a) The manufacturer’s/supplier’s or importer’s name and address.  
 
(b) The date of manufacture.  
 
12.2 TEST REPORTS  
Test reports shall be reproduced i n full, 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 KS 2819: 2018 Parts 1 to 12 . 
 
NOTE: Manufacturers making a state ment of compliance with 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.