CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 
 KENYA STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kenya Standard  - Furniture – Test Methods  
Part 9:  
Adjustable Keyboard Surfaces Tests  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STAGE 3         PUBLIC REVIEW  
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
 
 
 CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 
TC Representation  
 
The following organizations were represented on the technic al committee.  
   
Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS)  
Galua Fabricators Ltd  
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)  
Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Association (KNFJKA)  
Shauri Moyo Furniture Association  
Village Furnitures  
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)  -  Secretariat  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, address ed to the Managing Director, Kenya 
Bureau of Standards, are welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 20 18 
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 Stand ards 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 retrieval system in any form or 
transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the Managing D irector.  
 
 
 
 
 
 CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kenya Standard  - Furniture – Test Methods  
Part 9:  
Adjustable Keyboard Surfaces Tests  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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   
 CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
Foreword  
 
Kenya Bureau of Standards is a national standards body (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 esta blished has the right to be 
represented on that committee. National organizations, governmental and non -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  Direct ives, 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 members for balloting. 
Publication as a Kenya Standard requires approv al by at least 2/3 of the members 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 K enya Standard was prepared by Technical Committee KEBS/TC  164, Furniture . 
During the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following documents:  
  
AS/NZS 4443, Office panel systems - Workstations  
 
The assistance derived from these publicat ions is hereby acknowledged.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 
Kenya Standard  
Furniture – Test Methods  
Part 9:  
Adjustable Keyboard Surfaces Tests  
 
 
 
 
1 SCOPE   
This method of test  sets out a method of evaluating the ability of adjustable surfaces to be cycled 
through their  range of adjustment under use loads.  
 
NOTE: CD35 -9/SER/2018  specifies the compliance requirements.  
 
2 PRINCIPLE   
An adjustable surface is cycled under load for a specified number of times to test the integrity of the 
mechanism.  
 
3 APPARATUS   
The following  apparatus s hall be  required:  
(a) 4.5 kg load  
(b) Load equal to 0.135 kg/mm of inside clear height or 40 kg surfaces with a clear height greater 
than 280 mm.  
(c) 45 kg load.  
(d) Means of applying a specified cycling force.  
(e) Means of cycling and counting the number of cycle s per min.  
 
4 PROCEDURE -ALL SURFACES   
The procedure shall be as follows:  
(a) Level the desk in its normal operating position and secure.  
(b) Cycle the surface at a rate to exceed 6 (0.102 Hz) per minute or at the manufacturer’s 
recommended rate in the apparent wea kest horizontal position. The actual method shall include 
all steps an individual would go through to adjust the surface. Any machine attachment shall not 
reduce the full force of the load.  CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 
5 PROCEDURE -ADJUSTABLE KEYBOARD SURFACES  (See Figure 11)  
The pr ocedure shall be as follows:  
(a) Apply a 4.5 kg load through a 300 mm diameter area flush with the front edge center side -to-
side. ( Test area may be centered front to rear when depth of top is 300 mm or less) Cycle at a 
rate of 6 per min as Paragraph 14(b)  
(b) For the horizontal adjustment test, the surface shall be tested through 2500 cycles. One cycle 
consists of travel from the innermost position to the outermost position and return.  
(c) For the vertical adjustment test, the surface shall be tested through 2500 cyc les. One cycle 
consist of travel from the lowest position to the outermost position and return.  
(d) For the swivel adjustment test, the surface shall be tested through 2500 cycles. One cycle 
consist of travel from one stored position to the use position and ba ck to the stored position.  
 
6 PROCEDURE – PULL TEST   
Measure the pull force individually on the top drawer and file drawer  ( if fitted) as follows:  
(a) Ensure all drawers and roll -out shelves are loaded uniformly with 0.0046 kg/cubic cm and ensure 
the desk in  place.  
(b) Attach a limp cable to the Centre of the pull area, extending in the same horizontal plane over a 
pulley on the test equipment.  
(c) Apply a weight to the loose end of the cable that will open the drawer or roll out shelf to its full 
extension. If an an ti-rebound is used, the weight to overcome the anti -rebound shall be recorded.  
(d) Apply the weight required to open the drawer to full extension with the drawer past the anti -
rebound.  
(e) Record the weight ( for illustration of this pull test, see Figure A2).  
 
7  TEST REPORT  The following information shall be reported:  
(a) Whether the desk showed any structural breakage, deformation, loss of rigidity or loss of 
serviceability.  
(b) Whether the pull force or weight to overcome the anti -rebound exceeded 4.1 kg.  
(c) Type of desk tested.  
(d) Test equipment and test method title or name.  
(e) A notation that the test report must be reproduced in full  
(f) The date of test.  
(g) The name and address of the testing authority.  
(h) Reference to this test method, i.e. KS XX Part 9, Adjustable keyboard surfaces  test. CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 
 
 
8 HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT TESTS  
 
10.1 SCOPE   
This test method  sets out a method of evaluating the ability of adjustable surface to be cycled through 
their range of adjustment under use loads.  
 
NOTE: Clause 3.2.9 specifies the complian ce requirements.  
 
10.2 PRINCIPLE   
An adjustable surface is cycled under load for a specified number of times to test integrity of the 
mechanism.  
 
10.3 APPARATUS   
The following apparatus is required:  
(a) 4.5 kg load.  
(b) Load equal to 0.135 kg/mm of inside clear or  40 kg for surfaces with a clear height greater than 
280 mm.  
(c) 45 kg load  
(d) Means of applying a specified cycling force.  
(e) Means of cycling and counting the number of cycles and secure.  
 
10.4 PROCEDURE – ALL SURFACES   
The procedure shall be as follows:  
(a) Level the  desk in its normal operating position and secure.  
(b) Cycle the surface at a rate not to exceed 6 (0.102 Hz) per minute or at the manufacture’s 
recommended rate in the apparent weakest horizontal position. The actual method shall include 
all steps an individu al would go through to adjust the surface. Any machine attachment shall not 
reduce the full force of the load.  
 
10.5.  PROCEDURE - ADJUSTMENT KEYBOARD SURFACES  (See Figure 11)  
The procedure shall be as follows:  
(a)  Apply a 4.5 kg load through a 300 mm dia meter area flush with the front edge and centered side -
to-side. (Test area may be centered front to rear when depth of top is 300 mm or less). Cycle at a 
rate of 6 per min as Paragraphed 14(b).  
 
(b)  For the horizontal adjustment test, the surface shall be  tested through 2500 cycles. One cycle 
consists of travel from the innermost position to the outermost position and return.  
 
(c)  For the vertical adjustment test, the surface shall be tested through 2500 cycles. One cycle 
consists of travel from the lowes t position to the highest position and return.  
 
(d)  For the swivel adjustment test, the surface shall be tested through 2500 cycles. One cycle 
consists of travel from one stored position to the use position and back to the stored position  CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 
10.6 PROCEDURE - OTHER SURFACES   
The procedure shall be as follows:  
 
(a) Apply the test load through a 300 mm diameter area with the center of the load on a line 300 mm 
in from the front edge of the surface or at the midpoint, whichever is nearer the front edge and 
cycle in accordance with Paragraph 14(b).  
 
(b) Select from the following test loads:  
 
(i) Test load dedicated surfaces A load od 0.135 kg/mm of inside clear height, or 40 KG FOR 
SURFACES with an inside clear greater than 280 mm, or in accordance with the 
manufacturer’s rec ommendations.  
(ii) Test load for primary surfaces A load of 45 kg.  
 
(c) For the horizontal adjustment test, the surface shall be tested through 2500 cycles. One cycle 
consists of level from one extreme stored position to the opposite use position and retur n. 
(d) For the vertical adjustment test, the surface shall be tested through 1000 cycles for each of the 
four quartiles of full travel for a total of 4000 cycles as follows:  
(a) Position the test weight at a point 25% of the surface width in from the surface s ide edge during 
the first quartile of cycling starting from the lowest position.  
 
(ii)  Position the test weight at a point 50% of the surface width in from the surface side edge during 
the second quartile of cycling.  
 
(iii)  Position the test weight at a point 75% of the surface width in from the surface side edge during 
the third quartile of cycling.  
 
(iv)  Position the test weight at a point flush with the surface side edge during the fourth quartile of 
cycling.  
 
NOTES:  
1 For surface less than or equal t o 750 mm wide, the test weight should be positioned at the center of the 
surface width for all four quartiles of cycling.  
2 One cycle consists of movement up and down within a quartile.  
 
10.7 TEST REPORT   
The following information shall be reported:  
(a) Whethe r any adjustments showed a reduction in their adjustment range  
(b) Whether any structural damage occurred, especially if likely to cause personal injury.  
(c) Type of desk tested.  
(d) Test equipment and test method title or name.  
(e) A notation that the test report must be  reproduced in full.  
(f) The date of test.  
(g) The name and address of the tested authority.  
(h) Reference to this test method, i.e . Clause 10,  Horizontal adjustable  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 
 
NOTE: Keyboard mechanism not to scale 
 
FI GURE I1  ADJUSTABL  E KEYBOARD SURFACE — CONCENTRATED  
LOAD 
 
 
 CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 
11 WORK SURFACE RESISTANCE  
 
11.1  SCOPE  This Appendix sets out a method of evaluating the resistance of lacquered or painted 
work surfaces to agents it may encounter in normal use.  
 
NOTE:  Clause 5.1 specifies the compliance requirements  
 
11.2  PRINCIPLE  Specified tests are applied in order to determine the resistance to mechanical, 
heat, chemical or food stain damage.  
 
11.3  APPARATUS  The apparatus will be as specified in the test method given in Table 11.1 
 
11.4  PROCEDURE   
The procedur e shall be as follows:  
(a) Carry out the test procedure referred to in the Table K1 for lacquer finishes or for other finishes as 
per Clause 5.1 (b) or (c)  
(b) Compare the results to those specifies in ‘heavy’ condition of use.  
 
NOTE: for intended end uses that ar e ‘severe’ category should be required.  
 
11.5  TEST REPORT   
The following information shall be reported:  
(a) For each type of test or property listed in Table K1, the category (e.g. heavy) at which the work 
surface was tested and the performance achieved.  
(b) For materials other than lacquered or painted, the tests in Clause 5.1 shall be carried out and 
reported as per Paragraph 11.5(a). 
(c) Whether the result achieved met the performance required in Table 1.  
(d) Reference to this test method, i.e. Clause 11 , Work surface resistance test.  
 
 
TABLE    
11.1 
 
PER FOR MA NC E R EQU IREMEN TS FOR SUR FACE  R ESISTAN  CE OF D ESK TOP 
 
Property                                             Test method 
 
Type  of Test  Applicable 
Standard Li ght General Heavy Severe 
Adhesion of paints and lacquers AS 1580.408.4 n/a 4 3 3 
Resistance  to mechanical  damage: BS 3962.6     
scrape, surface penetration  n/a 4 5 5 
scrape, penetration  to substrate  n/a 3 4 4 
im pact  n/a 3 4 4 
Resistance  to wet heat: BS 3962.2     
55C  n/a 5 5 5 
70C  n/a 4 4 5 
85C  n/a 4 4 5 
Resistance  to dry heat: BS 3962.3     
85C  n/a 4 5 5 
100 C  n/a 4 5 5 
120 C  n/a 3 4 5 
140 C  n/a 3 4 4 
160 C  n/a 3 4 4 
Resistance  to marking by liquids: BS 3962.4     
Solvents: BS 3962.5 n/a 3 4 4 CD 35 -9/SER/2018  
 n/a 4 4 5 
BS 3962.4 
 
BS 3962.5  
 
n/a  
 
4  
 
4  
 
5   
n/a  
4  
4  
5  n/a 4 4 5 
 Nail polish remover*  n/a 3 4 4 
Acetone  n/a 3 4 5 
Isopropanol  n/a 4 5 6 
Industrial  methylated spirits  n/a 4 4 5 
Mineral turpentine  n/a 4 4 5 
Kerosene      
Food stuffs including:      
Canned beetroot juice, coffee†, tea‡,      
tomato sauce, homogenized  full cream 
mi lk, olive oil, beer, w ater, black-   
n/a  
4  
4  
5 currant juice and carbonated  coloured      
cola drink (non-diet)      
 
Mustard (prepared  
English) Cl eaning agents: 
Am monia solution (cloudy  ammonia) 
 
Vinegar (white), dishwashing 
liquid (undiluted)  and 
household  bleach Phenol  
based disinfectants 
Ot her: 
Lipstick n/a 4 4 5 
Water -based  black m arking pen n/a 4 4 5 
Wax -based  shoe polish n/a 4 4 5 
Light m achine oil n/a 4 4 5 
* Typical ethyl acetate, butyl acetate in 50:50 proportions. 
† Solution 40 gm instant coffee to 1 L of boiling water. 
‡ 10 gm tea leaves to 1 L boiling w ater, brew 5 m in, strain and use.