Working round the clock: all office chairs certified for 24-hour use
Ergohuman Elite has always held the prestigious BS 5459 certification, proving its ability to withstand 24-hour use, which is what makes it the perfect chair for office use, hospital use, surveillance stations, control rooms, and any environment where workers need a comfortable office chair for intensive use.
We’ve now gone a step further, ensuring that all of our office chairs are certified for 24-hour use. The Mirus Elite and Enjoy Elite have now been granted the BS 5459 certification, allowing you to rest assured in their comfort, support, and durability for the years ahead.
What is BS 5459?
The BS 5459 certification outlines performance requirements and tests that the chair has undergone to ensure it is structurally safe and stable when used by people weighing up to 150 kg for up to 24 hours per day. This British standard is specifically for chairs designed for heavy-duty environments, such as control rooms or places where people sit for long hours.
For example, if you work 9-5 in your office chair but then use it for a couple of leisure hours in the evening, then you can be confident it will stand the test of time.
To achieve BS 5459 certification, a chair must pass a series of tough tests to show it can handle continuous use without breaking or becoming unsafe. One such test is a seat and back load test in which the chair is subjected to repeated loading using weights of up to 150 kg or more. This simulates the strain of people sitting down and leaning back to ensure the chair can handle this type of use.
Another test is the tipping test, which ensures the chair doesn’t tip over easily. Weights are placed on different parts of the chair, including the front edge and armrests, to ensure it is stable even when users shift their weight.
Overall, the tests simulate years of use in a testing lab. To pass the tests, the chair must prove that it can handle extreme and continuous use without breaking down or becoming unsafe. With all Elite office chairs earning this certification, you can trust that our chairs are highly durable, safe, and capable of handling daily long-term use.
How long can you use Ergohuman office chairs?
Ergohuman office chairs are certified for 24-hour use, meaning they can be used round the clock without wearing, tearing, or losing their supportive nature. However, it’s important to take breaks from the chair and ensure an active lifestyle outside of working hours for your health and well-being.
The British Heart Foundation recommends sitting for no longer than 30 minutes at a time⁽¹⁾. It’s important to set a reminder to walk around or stand for five minutes every half an hour. Even standing up for 20 seconds can prevent back and neck pain.
> Staying healthy when you have a desk job
Having a stationary job poses a risk to health and well-being, but there are plenty of things you can do to stay healthy. Dr. Edward Laskowski reports that 60 to 75 minutes per day of moderate to intense physical activity can counter the effects of prolonged periods of sitting⁽⁴⁾. For example, exercise at the gym before or after work and take a 30-minute walk on your lunch break. Make sure that you also incorporate plenty of breaks from your chair throughout your working day.
We also recommend:
- Standing for phone calls.
- Using a sit-stand desk.
- Walking meetings where possible.
- Using a walking pad beneath your standing desk.
- Practicing good posture.
- Taking a break from your screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away.
- Adjusting your desk and office chair to fit your anthropometric measurements.
- Taking the stairs instead of a lift or escalator.
Office chairs built to last
When working a desk job, it’s essential to choose an ergonomic and adjustable chair designed to offer bespoke support to individuals, promote healthy posture, and reduce the risk of pain. All of our Elite models are BS 5459-certified, meaning they are built to withstand up to 24 hours of daily use for weights up to 150 kg.
Explore the full range of ergonomic office chairs here and transform your comfort.