FIRA Technical Services

Sherree FeliceFurniture Technologist

Our Experts

Dr. Peter Beele Tristine Hargreaves

Technical Development Manager Standards & Regulatory Manager

Dr. Asli Tamer Vestlund James Bell

Research & Consultancy Manager Environmental Consultant

Bruce Lovell Sue Calver

Engineering Consultant Project Manager

Levent Çaglar Sherree Felice

Senior Ergonomist Furniture Technologist

How can we help you?

• Membership Projects- Flammability and FR chemicals

• Research Projects• Product Requirements

– Expert Witness Work• Sustainability Services• Business Process Improvement• National Furniture Specifications• Supply Chain Processes and Retail Advice

Membership Projects

Current:• FR Chemicals – alternatives to Deca-BDE• FR Chemicals & End of Life (POPS)• Flammability chain of Custody

Ongoing:• National and European Standards development

• Involvement in public consultations

• Forums to discuss technical issues for FRQG / FIRA / BFM members

Research

• Membership Projects• EU and Nationally Funded Research

Safe Seats of Learning

Benchmarking Carbon Footprints of Furniture Products

Annual Statistics Digest

Competitiveness of the UK Furniture Manufacturing

Industry

Flammability

• Domestic Furniture - UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations

• Contract Furniture more complex

• Pending amendments to regulations

- Flammability Guides- Flammability Testing- Flammability Training

Expert Witness

Expert witness skills and invaluable court experience:

• An excellent background in standards

• The ability to gather evidence with facilities for testing and investigation

• First class reporting with unrivalled knowledge of the subject and experience in court

Board Materials and

MoistureEnvironment Ergonomics

Fabric and Upholstery

Finishes and Surfacing Materials

Timber Defects and

Quality Issues

ManufacturingFurniture Fitting &

Installation

Fitness for Purpose

Fire Safety of Upholstered

Products

Product Safety

Health and Safety

Finishing Processes

Glass in Furniture

Structural Stability

Retail Advice• Expertise and advice regarding product development

throughout critical path and launch• Packaging requirements and import advice• Technical training of furniture components;

e.g. Leathers, woods, mattress fillings, fabrics.• ‘Managing Customer Expectations’ advice and care

information• Guidance regarding company delivery standards and

expectations• Due Diligence measures and guidance (GPSR)• Supplier and product review methods

Specifications - Current Problems

Tenders that specify misleading or inappropriate standards

and requirements cause problems.

• Loss of time • Higher costs• Wasted effort • Inferior quality• Non-conformance• Liability/Legal Challenge

Both for tendering authorities and suppliers, resulting in:

Specifications – Solution!

Specifiers’ need:

• Access to clear and concise advice for tender creation• Access to accurate information on current requirements• Access to the correct and current furniture standards

• A Guide for non-domestic and contract furniture

Target Audience

• Purchasers for Public Sector Organisations (Central and Local Government, Education and Health)

• Interior designers and architects

• Specifiers for hospitality, hotels, offices

• Procurement Professionals in the Private Sector

• Construction and Fit-Out Companies and Main Contractors

• Facilities Managers

• Manufacturers and Suppliers

National Furniture Specifications

www.nfs.uk.com

The site has 2 main elements:

• A guide to Specifying and Tendering for Contract Furniture

• A tool to Create a Technical Specification

Any questions?