Basic ergonomics for working in an office chair. + GOST

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The office sector is a strictly sedentary place of work. And since many people spend the entire day in a sitting position, the back, shoulders, fifth point of support, calves and other muscle groups make themselves felt very quickly. That is why experts advise buying the most comfortable, or even better, orthopedic chairs. We'll talk about these two categories.

Design Features

Armchairs are divided into types: for management, employees, and visitors. Furniture that is comfortable, but with a simple design, is suitable for guests, since they do not stay in the office for a long time. The main thing is that the chairs look attractive and are practical.

Executive furniture must meet many requirements. This is functionality, comfort, high quality, which emphasizes the status of the boss. The upholstery is black or brown leather, which is breathable, environmentally friendly, and maintains body temperature. The furniture is equipped with a stand with a five-beam support, casters, armrests, headrest, and adjustment device. A cross with rollers has replaced conventional legs, as it has undeniable advantages:

  • easy to use;
  • saves time when moving;
  • no need to get up for every reason.

The image of a manager is determined by many details that speak of the stability and success of the company, and the chair is one of them.

So that employees can work for a long time and not get tired, the office needs furniture for the back and spine that is of good quality, practicality, and comfort. The products are height adjustable to suit the individual characteristics of the worker and the dimensions of the table. There are two types of chairs for staff: operator chairs and those for sitting at a computer.

The first ones are comfortable, functional, with armrests, with devices for adjusting the seat height and backrest tilt. A chair for working at a computer is a universal option. These chairs are endowed with maximum comfort and functionality. The design of a good quality product must include a stand with a five-point cross on rotating wheels.

There are 3 types of seats:

  1. Tough. Made from metal and wood. This type is practically not used, since a person gets tired from sitting on it for a long time.
  2. Semi-soft. They differ in the thickness of the filler of medium size.
  3. Soft. They are produced with a large thickness of filler and also have springs.


Soft


Semi-soft


Hard

As for sizes, office chairs can be divided into several types, depending on certain criteria:

  1. In width – narrow (up to 55 cm), medium (55-60 cm) and wide (over 60 cm). A comfortable option is chosen based on the size of the semi-circumference of the hips.
  2. By depth – small (less than 60 cm), medium (60 to 70), deep (more than 70 cm). You can choose the ideal parameter by measuring the distance from the kneecap to the beginning of the upper part of the buttocks in a sitting position.

A good seat has a smooth surface and a rounded shape so as not to compress the blood vessels on the legs. The upholstery used is water-permeable, environmentally friendly, and breathable.


Narrow chair


Average seat width


Wide seat

When choosing a chair, you need to carefully examine the angle between the back and the seat. It is optimal if it is slightly more than 90 degrees, which will allow your lower back to relax if you lean back. It is better if the angle of inclination can be changed, this will allow you to relax while resting.

The backrest is made in an anatomical shape that follows the contours of the body. The height can be medium or high, but it is better if this element is adjustable to maintain torso balance and maintain correct posture. Modern products are produced with a corset back that follows the curves of the body. These models have a special lumbar bolster.

The armrests are located at the level of the arms bent at right angles and serve to prevent tension in the shoulders and neck. They provide comfort for the hands and relieve fatigue. The presence of armrests is necessary for the boss, preferably for employees, but not necessary for visitors.

How to choose a computer chair

If you think that you can come to a store or order any model with wheels on the Internet, then you are greatly mistaken. Even those who know how to choose a computer chair will be a little surprised by some of the features of modern products.

To begin with, let's pay attention to the following parameters:

  • Form. Ergonomics directly affects convenience, perseverance, back comfort and more. If you see a huge “gaming” chair with a huge back and adjustable armrests, don’t rush to rejoice. We recommend going to the nearest store and sitting on it yourself. If anything begins to interfere or put pressure on your shoulders or lower back, immediately refuse the purchase;
  • Upholstery. The leather looks expensive and prestigious, but if you sit in such a chair in the summer, you will instantly sweat and your clothes will get wet through. Fabric upholstery is not so pretentious, but it breathes well and is unpretentious in terms of care. It’s the same with mesh, only the latter also has orthopedic properties. Leatherette works on the principle of natural materials, but the air permeability is even worse;
  • Mechanisms . Let's start with the gas lift, which is responsible for raising and lowering the chair. It has several height and maximum load classes. It’s convenient that the mechanism is removable, so this parameter can be neglected for the first time. But still, you shouldn’t buy a 90 kg chair with a body weight of 100-110.

Next comes the swing mechanism:

  • Piastra is the simplest and toughest, found on cheap models;
  • Permanent contact is an elastic spring in the backrest, responsible for its tilt;
  • Top gun - forward/backward adjustment, special screw for adjusting deflection, locking stopper;
  • Deep Tilt (knee mechanism) - a greatly improved Top Gun;
  • Multiblock - Top gun with the ability to fix the back in 5 positions, while your feet are always on the floor.
  • Frame. Ideally, it should be tubular steel, like the crosspiece. But this greatly affects the final price. In general, be guided by the maximum weight and your own budget.

Varieties

Office chairs are classified by purpose: for staff, guests or management. If you choose which chair is suitable for the head of a company, then you should focus on the following features:

  • solidity;
  • ergonomics;
  • high back with headrest;
  • big sizes;
  • five-beam support;
  • soft seat;
  • presence of armrests.

Particular attention should be paid to the choice of office chairs for workers who spend most of their time in a sitting position. In this case, you need to take into account the following distinctive features:

  • ergonomics;
  • beam support with wheels for quick movement;
  • high or medium backrest with adjustment;
  • with or without armrests, depending on the type of activity.

For visitors, the chairs do not have wheels, they can be with or without armrests, the main thing is that the guests feel comfortable. Particular attention should be paid to the design of the chairs - the products should fit perfectly into the business environment of the office.


For management staff


For staff


For guests

Question 3: What are your personal parameters?

It happens that we like the design so much that we are ready to make a purchase “without trying it on.” This primarily applies to ordering through store websites. However, it is advisable to test the chair. Only after sitting down and analyzing your feelings will you understand for sure whether it is right for you or not. The preliminary stage is the necessary measurements.

  • the height of a comfortable chair will be equal to the distance from the floor to the knee + - 5 cm;
  • the seat has an inclination - it is about 15 degrees, with the higher part where the knees will be located;
  • the more relaxed you are going to feel, the greater the angle of deviation of the back from the vertical;
  • seat depth - the length of your thigh minus 5 cm. In other words, when you sit in a chair, the edge of the seat does not reach the bend of your knees. In this case, your back is pressed against the back of the chair;
  • the width of the seat is the half-circumference of your hips plus 10 cm. A caveat: this calculation will be correct if you are not going to sit in this chair with your legs;
  • The height of the backrest is determined by your height. The taller you are, the higher it is.

Sometimes ergonomics are thought out in such a way that a chair, even with a low back, confidently holds your back. But it is still impossible to lean back in it. Most often, in these cases, the backrest ends in the area of ​​the seated shoulder blades.

Important: the chair is not suitable for you if

  • you have too much free space between your lower back and back. As an option, some models may come with a pillow “under the back”;
  • your shoulders rise as you rest your hands on the armrests. Or you start to slouch. In the first case, the armrests are too high, in the second - too low;
  • the back of the chair ends in the middle of your back, and you feel insecure.

Top tip:

When “trying on” a chair, trust your feelings. If it was created for you, it will give you a feeling of unprecedented comfort that you will never confuse.

Armchair Bergere Longe

Manufacturing materials

One of the main structural parts of an office chair is the frame, which can be monolithic or collapsible. The first forms a single whole, making the product more durable. In this case, the armrests can be removable. In collapsible models, the armrests act as an element connecting the back and seat. The connecting part can also be a metal plate.

The frame is made of high quality steel or durable plastic. The presence of a high-strength frame increases the service life of the product. The seat and back are made of multi-layer plywood. High-quality foam rubber or polyurethane is used as a base coating, which creates the elasticity of the products.

To create a hard version, no filler is used; the base is immediately covered with upholstery material. For soft and semi-soft types, polyurethane foam or foam rubber is used - the thicker the layer, the softer the product. Unique products have an anatomical shape, where there are two bases with pillows. The split back creates a massage effect and stimulates blood circulation.

Durable, wear-resistant materials are used for upholstery. These include:

  1. Genuine Leather. The material is strong, elastic, breathable. Disadvantages: expensive, requires special care.
  2. Faux leather. It is practical, durable, and UV resistant, but can change color in direct sunlight and gets very hot, creating discomfort.
  3. Synthetic fabric. It is distinguished by its durability, ease of maintenance, hygroscopicity, breathability, and antistatic properties. The material is beautiful, has many textures and colors. Cons: wears out faster than the first two options, can fade in the sun, absorbs odors.


Genuine Leather


Faux leather


Synthetic fabric

There are also modern models with upholstery made of rigid acrylic mesh. The material is used for covering the backs and seats of ergonomic products. The mesh allows air to pass through well, making a person feel comfortable even in the heat. The disadvantage is the insufficiently high level of strength, leading to a decrease in service life. The upholstery indicates the status of the employee, so it is also necessary to pay close attention to it.

There are office chairs used in various professional fields, for example:

  • medical (made of polyurethane, should be easy to process, have an antistatic effect);
  • hairdressing salons (resistant to disinfection, with footrest, height adjustment in the form of a pedal);
  • industrial workers (for workers in warehouses, workshops, conveyor enterprises) - monoblock rigid structures with a special vinyl coating with no texture, so as not to accumulate dirt, suitable for processing by any means.


For medical workers


Hairdressing


For production workers

Properly selected mechanisms contribute to the longevity of furniture:

  1. Permanent contact. Serves to adjust the chair according to seat depth, backrest tilt, and height.
  2. Rocking mechanism. A reliable, durable spring-screw device provides swinging.
  3. Synchro mechanism. Adjusts the angle of the backrest, its height, and seat depth. The device is complex and expensive.
  4. Asynchronous. Same as synchronous, but adjusts the seat separately from the backrest.

When sitting for a long time, it is very important to have a rocking mechanism to help relax the body.

Ergonomics and design: comfort can be beautiful

Form

Basic requirements: the chair must be stable and reliable, with armrests. The seat and back should have thickened edges. There should be a bolster under the lumbar curve.

Materials

First of all, you need to choose environmentally friendly and hygienic materials. Naturalness is actually not that important: modern artificial materials can be superior to natural ones in terms of breathability or hygroscopicity, and also cope better with temperature regulation. Eco-leather, synthetic upholstery, high-quality plastic look no worse, but last longer and better maintain a presentable appearance. The plastic base and armrests can easily withstand ten years of service.

Color

It is better to choose a neutral color that suits almost any interior. These are grey, black, brown, beige and blue. However, there are also various bold design solutions with several shades and bright colors. Such furniture can be a worthy decoration for an office and can lift your spirits well on a long working day. The key is to choose upholstery that is easy to care for and won't fade or tear. Especially in the case of light colors.

Best models

The rating includes products from famous foreign companies engaged in the production of ergonomic, functional furniture for offices. List of the best office chair manufacturers:

  1. Tetchair HEO 1. Compact design suitable for small office spaces. Faux leather upholstery comes in a variety of colors. The comfortable soft seat does not allow you to experience any discomfort. The structure can withstand a weight not exceeding 100 kg. Cost – from 6,290 rubles.
  2. Akracing Arctica. This reliable, durable product can withstand a load of 130 kg. Has many useful features. It can be folded out 180 degrees. The upholstery material is high-quality artificial leather and the filling is polyurethane. There is an adjustable lumbar support, and there are bumpers on the sides. The model is expensive - from 23,300 rubles.
  3. Ergohuman Plus Legrest. The most comfortable recliner chair for work will last a long time. The main difference is the presence of a headrest with an adjustment mechanism, which is located on a telescopic base. The lumbar spine support design automatically adjusts to the person's position. All parts have an adjustment mechanism. The mesh upholstery allows air to pass through perfectly. Available in several color options. Cost – from 16,679 rubles.
  4. Chairman Game 10. Features good versatility and long service life. The base is made of thin sheet steel, reinforced with stiffeners. The crosspiece is plastic, strong, and can withstand a weight of 120 kg. The back is plastic with a matte finish, the upholstery is durable mesh. The chair has a beautiful stylish design. Cost – 7,500 rubles.
  5. Tetchair Twister. It is the leader among office chairs. The product is impressive, reliable, with durable armrests. Foamed polyurethane, which is used as a filler, follows the contours of the body. The model is suitable for a person with a height of 150-190 cm and a weight of up to 130 kg. The chair has a wide seat, a good backrest angle, and a beautiful, stylish design that is suitable for any environment. Cost – 6,890 rubles.

Before choosing a chair for a manager, as well as for office workers and guests, you need to familiarize yourself with the device, features, recommendations of experts, and brands. Due to the convenience of the furniture, employees do not get so tired after several hours of sedentary work, while labor productivity increases significantly.


Tetchair HEO


Akracing Arctica


Ergohuman Plus Legrest


Chairman Game 10


Tetchair Twister

Main selection criteria

The main criterion for choosing a computer chair - both for an amateur and a professional - is the purpose of the purchase, or where exactly it will be used and, accordingly, how long a person will stay in it and how intense his activity will be. In addition, the design of the furniture, as well as the materials from which it is made, depend on the user’s weight and other individual requests.

Purpose

Their design directly depends on the purpose of computer chairs:

  1. Products for personnel are usually equipped with a cross on rollers, a spring-screw mechanism that supports the back, a gas lift for adjusting the height of the seat, and armrests. This is a comfortable type of chair with a soft seat and back: employees can feel comfortable in them throughout the working day.
  2. Models for managers are more functional and, as a rule, massive. They not only create the most comfortable working conditions, but also emphasize the status of the owner. Since the boss's working day is often irregular, it is convenient if his chair allows him to relax. Therefore, many products of this type have a massage zone or rocking function.
  3. Gaming chairs - since players sometimes spend long hours in them under tension, such models have an anatomical seat that follows the contours of the body and guarantees its proper support. Products in which the backrest reclines up to 180 degrees are convenient. To make the furniture heavier and increase its strength, the frame is made of all-metal (this option can withstand a load of up to 120 kg).

Characteristic differences between loft-style chairs, main types of products
You should not use an adult model as a computer chair for a schoolchild. Products designed for them have different ergonomics: a smaller seat is located higher than in models for adults, an orthopedic back follows the lines of the spine. Such chairs have less weight and increased stability.


To the manager's office


For gaming on the computer


For furnishing office premises

Design

The computer-style chairs are designed to make it easier to sit in one position for many hours when working at a monitor. Therefore, the main criterion for their design is user convenience. To choose the right computer chair, it is important to take into account the “contribution” of each element of the product to its operation.

The shape of the back largely determines the ease of use of the product. A quality part must meet the following criteria:

  • the design is adjacent to the back (has the maximum number of points of contact with it);
  • there is a bend at the lumbar level, it is this that relieves fatigue; The protrusions on the sides of the structure also support posture;
  • If you need support for your shoulders when working in a chair for a long time, the height of the backrest should be at least 65 cm; to relax the neck-collar area, you will need a headrest (preferably with adjustable height and angle of inclination).

Orthopedic models are equipped with a special corset back, equipped not only with a lumbar bolster, but also with a movable system of two pillows. It is adjusted according to the width of the back and the location of the lumbar spine, depending on the physique and height of the user. In combination with a double orthopedic seat, consisting of two independent parts, such chairs prevent many diseases to which people in sedentary professions are susceptible.

The seat of a computer chair is preferably of medium hardness, since too soft leads to the development of stooping and problems with the pelvic organs, and too hard forces you to constantly change your position, which causes rapid fatigue. Besides:

  • its depth should be at least 2/3-2/4 of the length of the thigh; with a larger parameter, the likelihood of problems with blood circulation increases; with a smaller parameter, a feeling of discomfort and slipping from the chair occurs;
  • the recess in the center allows you to sit fixedly and not move on it;
  • In addition to height adjustment, it is also desirable to be able to tilt the seat forward up to 15 degrees and back up to 5 degrees.

The presence of armrests depends on the individual preferences of the owner. The optimal part option is with adjustable height. The height of non-adjustable armrests is 17-24 cm and depends on the person’s normal working posture (whether the elbows are on them or on the table).

The crosspiece is a “star-shaped” base of a chair with wheels. The more rays there are, the more stable the product. The most popular are five-beam models. The size (diameter - from 480 to 700 mm) differs depending on who the chair is intended for (adults, children, gamers) and its stylistic design.

The rollers used are usually plastic, suitable for soft surfaces (linoleum or carpet). To operate a chair that sits on parquet, tile, or laminate, you need rubberized casters—they are quieter and do not damage the floor surface.

A variety of bean bags from IKEA, popular colors and shapes

The footrest can be built into the computer chair or purchased separately. This accessory is very relevant for short people, as well as for those who are comfortable working at a computer in a reclining position. It ensures the correct angle in the ankle, knees and reduces blood stagnation in the legs.

Quick adjustment of the seat height, the ability of the chair to “spring” slightly when sitting on it (this reduces the load on the spine), its rotation by 360 is provided by a gas lift, or a hydraulic gas spring device. It has four classes, where the first two are the cheapest options, and the third and fourth are reinforced (implying an increased load of up to 150 kg). Therefore, before choosing a computer chair for your home or office, you should determine the potential load on it.

General sizes of computer chairs may vary. SanPiN “Hygienic requirements for personal electronic computers and work organization” establishes only the minimum dimensions of the workplace, including a computer chair:

  • width and depth of the seat surface - not less than 400 mm;
  • height adjustment of the structure - from 400 mm to 550 mm.

The depth in simple models is adjusted using a screw installed under the seat, in more complex expensive ones - with a special lever that allows you to fix the part in five positions.

Product materials

The base and body of high-end computer chairs are made of metal, the frames of the armrests and backrests are made of metal coated with plastic. Crosspieces are available in metal, polyamide and plastic (in cheap models). The latter are designed for a weight of no more than 120 kg, but if dropped or hit they can break. Polyamide ones are incomparably stronger in this regard. Wood is used as a decorative finishing material for luxury furniture.

Foam rubber and polyurethane are used as filler. The first one is cheaper, breathable, but less durable and not as resistant to deformation as the second one.


Metal cross


Polyamide


Plastic frame


Wooden frame in luxury models


Foam rubber or polyurethane foam as filler

Upholstery of computer chairs can be:

  1. Made of synthetic fabric - an inexpensive material, quite durable, resistant to wear. It does not accumulate static electricity, “breathes”, and allows you to implement a variety of design ideas. Its disadvantage is its unpresentable appearance. The question of how to choose the right one is usually decided by the practicality and expediency of material investments. Synthetic fabric options - C series material (the cheapest, similar to burlap), microfiber, polyolefin (very strong, durable). They are most often used in models for home use, in children's computer chairs and in products for personnel.
  2. Made from genuine leather - an elite, environmentally friendly, high-strength, wear-resistant and impressive-looking material, and therefore very expensive.
  3. Made from leatherette - similar in consumer qualities to the previous one, and sometimes superior to natural leather, but at the same time costing much less.

A modern, increasingly popular material is acrylic mesh, which is extremely wear-resistant and breathable. It is used in products of any kind, but is especially popular among young people, because it looks unusual with a high level of comfort.


Synthetic upholstery


Leather


Made from eco-leather


Made from acrylic mesh

Photo

What is a multiblock in an office chair?

The multiblock is a multifunctional mechanism installed on premium chairs. It allows you to customize the design point-by-point, according to your parameters and preferences. Withstands loads up to 120 kg.

assemble an office chair
You can assemble your own office chair.

Has the following functions:

  • seat height adjustment;
  • fixing the tilt angle in the range from 0° to 135°;
  • activation and blocking of swinging;
  • hardness adjustment;
  • Anti-shock effect that smoothly returns the chair to the working position.


office productIf you buy an office product, the package should include fasteners and keys for assembly.
The operation of the multiblock is controlled through a system of handles located under the seat.

Arrangement of office chairs

Principle of operation

To ensure comfortable work at the desk, office chairs have the ability to:

  1. Height changes, which allows you to adjust the desired seat height to suit the height of any person.
  2. Changes in backrest angle. This suggests that the back is always in contact with it, even if the person’s position in the chair changes.
  3. Rotations around its axis.

For clarity, it is necessary to consider the operating principle of a gas lift - a device that is responsible for adjusting the height:

Principle of operation

  • The metal body contains a cylinder in which the rod and piston fit. This cylinder contains 2 reservoirs, and between them there is a closing valve. When the seat position is low, the piston is at the top.
  • To raise the chair, you need to lower the piston. When a person presses the adjustment lever, the button responsible for opening and closing the valve is touched. The valve, in turn, moves gas from the first reservoir to the second.

The gas presses on the piston, causing it to lower, while at the same time the chair rises.

  • If you release the button, the valve closes. This means that gas movement becomes impossible and the chair is fixed in a certain position.
  • To lower the seat position, you must press the lever, which will open the valve again. Under the influence of the person's weight, the cylinder lowers, the piston rises and pushes the gas into the external reservoir. The chair lowers at this moment.
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