Study Looks at Risks of Sharp Edges on Furniture

Sharp edges on furniture are a frequently overlooked hazard that can pose significant safety risks, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

European standards, including EN 14749 for domestic furniture and EN 16121 for non-domestic settings, mandate that all accessible parts of furniture be rounded to prevent injuries. However, these standards lack precise measurement guidelines, making assessments of sharpness subjective and inconsistent.

In response to these gaps, Italian testing institute Catas has undertaken a comprehensive study to create an objective assessment system for evaluating sharp edge risks on furniture. Its two-pronged approach addresses both the perception of sharp edges and the validation of a specialized laboratory tool. The first phase revealed most people perceive edges with a radius of curvature below 0.6 millimetres as sharp, highlighting a critical threshold for furniture manufacturers to consider.

To provide a measurable and reproducible standard, Catas developed a testing device that emulates a human finger. This artificial finger, equipped with a spring-loaded system, applies controlled pressure to an evaluation pad that mimics human skin. By sliding this device over furniture edges, Catas can objectively determine whether an edge is likely to cause injury.

This tool is touted as providing furniture designers and manufacturers with a reliable, repeatable method to assess the safety of edges and vertices, offering an objective criterion for compliance with safety standards.