When you ask about the safety standards our urban benches are tested against, you're touching on the very core of our commitment to public welfare and durability. We don't just meet minimum requirements; we rigorously exceed them through a multi-layered testing protocol.
Our primary framework is the European EN 581 standard for outdoor furniture, which dictates strict requirements for stability, strength, and durability. Every bench undergoes static load testing where weights simulating forces far exceeding normal use—typically up to 2000 pounds (907 kg)—are applied to seats and backrests. This ensures they can safely accommodate multiple occupants and withstand unintended stress.
For public spaces in North America, we comply with the ASTM F1918 voluntary safety standard for playground equipment, which includes guidelines for public seating. Furthermore, all our designs are evaluated for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance, ensuring proper armrest strength, seat height, and clearances for accessibility.
Beyond official certifications, we conduct proprietary tests. These include cyclic fatigue testing, where a robotic arm applies repeated pressure thousands of times to simulate years of use. We perform vandal-resistance assessments, testing for impacts, graffiti removal, and attempted tampering. Material tests evaluate resistance to UV radiation, moisture, and extreme temperatures from -30°C to 50°C (-22°F to 122°F) to prevent cracking, warping, or corrosion.
The anchoring systems are independently certified to withstand specified pull-out forces, crucial for permanent installations. Ultimately, our safety philosophy is holistic: a bench must be structurally sound, user-friendly for all ages and abilities, and resilient against both environmental and human factors to truly earn its place in your community.