Furniture specification clause library

Supply as drawing [number, revision], schedule row [code] and approved sample [S-nn]; where they differ, the drawing governs and the supplier asks before making.

[Item code] is to be supplied as drawing [number, revision], FF&E schedule row [code, revision] and approved sample [S-nn]. All sizes are finished sizes unless marked nominal. Where these documents differ, [the drawing] governs and the supplier asks [designer] in writing before manufacture. Dimensions are verified on site by [party] before shop drawings, on survey record [ref]. A standard is cited with its edition and level as written; where no edition is stated, the edition current on [date of tender] applies.

No substitution of any named material, component or standard without [designer]'s written approval before order; alternatives are priced separately with a data sheet and sample.

No substitution without written approval from [designer] before tender return. An alternative is offered separately, as an option, with its data sheet, test evidence and a sample, and is accepted only in writing. 'Or equal' and 'equivalent' are not accepted in a quotation: name the product, standard or finish offered. A change of material batch, supplier, process or finish after approval needs a new sample and written approval before use. Changes after approval are made by written variation.

Production to match approved control sample [S-nn], within range [S-nn to S-nn]; a full-size mock-up or the first article is approved in writing before production.

Each sample carries a reference [S-nn] and is approved by signature and date of [designer] and [maker]; a matching copy is held by each party until the work is accepted. Production shall match the approved control sample. Natural variation within the approved range [S-nn to S-nn] is accepted; features outside it are not. The control sample is not changed or replaced without [designer]'s written agreement. Before the remaining [number] items are made, the supplier presents [a full-size mock-up of [element] / the first article] for inspection against drawing [number, revision] and sample [S-nn]. Production starts only after written approval, which [designer] gives within [number] working days of presentation. Samples are viewed in [the lighting of the room].

Each test report is the full signed report from an accredited laboratory for the exact model, to the edition stated, dated within [12] months; reports to a withdrawn edition or for another model are not accepted.

Where a clause calls for a test report, the supplier provides the full signed report, not an abbreviated certificate or a statement, from a laboratory accredited for the tests named [UKAS or equivalent], for the exact model, build and variants supplied, naming the standard, its edition and the level or class achieved, dated within [12] months of the order. Reports to a withdrawn edition, or for a different model, are not accepted. [Designer] confirms the current edition on BSI Knowledge before order and tells the supplier of any change. Evidence is filed in the project certificate file and referenced in the FF&E schedule by report reference and date. Where an item is bespoke and no report exists, the supplier proposes [a representative sample tested before production] and the report is submitted before the production order is released.

Finished sizes within [± 2 mm up to 1,000 mm and ± 3 mm from 1,000 to 3,000 mm]; critical dimensions as noted on the drawing; measured on the finished piece before dispatch.

Unless a dimension carries its own tolerance on the approved shop drawing, finished dimensions are to be within [± 2 mm up to 1,000 mm and ± 3 mm from 1,000 to 3,000 mm]. Critical dimensions are marked on the drawing: table height [745] mm ± [3] mm from finished floor level at each leg; seat height [450] mm ± [10] mm as sat on. Squareness: difference between diagonals not more than [ ] mm per metre. Flatness of tops: not more than [ ] mm under a [1,000] mm straightedge. Gaps between doors and drawer fronts [ ] mm, even to [± ] mm. Measured on the finished piece before dispatch by [party] at [20] °C and [ ] % relative humidity, and recorded.

Seating to BS EN 16139:2025, Level [2], with the full signed test report for this model.

[Item ref] is to be tested to BS EN 16139:2025, Level [1 general use / 2 extreme use], by a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for the tests. Supply the full signed report naming the edition, the level and the exact model and variants supplied, with results for each test and the information for use, dated within [12] months of the order. Reports to the withdrawn 2013 edition, or for another model, are not accepted. BS EN 16139 does not cover upholstery durability, castors, mechanisms, ageing or flammability: evidence those under clauses [B2, B4, B6]. Where a seat is bespoke and no report exists, [a representative sample is to be tested before production / the alternative agreed: [ ]], and the report submitted before the production order is released.

Upholstered seating to BS 7176:2007+A1:2011 [Medium] Hazard, as set by the fire risk assessment dated [date], with a composite report and label.

Upholstered seating is to comply with BS 7176 [Medium] Hazard [edition 2007+A1:2011 or current], the category being set by the fire risk assessment dated [date] for [Responsible Person]. Before order, provide a test report from a UKAS-accredited laboratory for each upholstery composite (cover, any interliner and filling; seat, back and arms separately where they differ) for the build as supplied, naming the cover, interliner, filling and any treatment, dated within [12] months. Foam: the producer's current certificate. Each item carries the BS 7176 label [in the position on the shop drawing / alternative for built-in seating: [ ]]. A change of cover other than colour, of filling, interliner or component supplier is a new composite: notify [designer] and supply a new report before production. A standard number without a category, 'Crib 5' alone, and certificates for the cover or foam alone are not accepted.

Seat build-up as section [drawing ref]: [suspension], [foam grade, density, hardness] and [wrap]; no substitution without written approval.

Seat build-up from the top: cover [ ]; interliner [as the fire report requires]; wrap [none / polyester fibre / feather and down in down-proof ticking]; foam [type], [ ] mm thick, density [ ] kg/m3 (test method [ ]), hardness [ ] N at [40] % indentation (test method [ ]); suspension [eight-way hand-tied / sinuous springs / pocket springs / webbing / foam deck on board], fixed as shown. Each layer's thickness is on build-up section [drawing ref]. Supply the foam data sheet, the foam's ignition certificate and photographs of the suspension before covering. A change to any layer is a written variation approved by [designer]. A full-size mock-up is approved by sit test before production (clause B5).

Cloth [name, colourway] to achieve [ ] rubs (BS EN ISO 12947-2, 12 kPa), pilling grade [ ], light fastness [ ] and the stated cleaning code, on the batch supplied.

Cloth [name, colourway] is to achieve, on the batch supplied: abrasion not less than [ ] rubs without breakdown to BS EN ISO 12947-2 [edition] at 12 kPa; pilling not worse than grade [ ] to BS EN ISO 12945-2 [edition]; light fastness not less than [ ] on the blue wool scale to BS EN ISO 105-B02 [edition]; seam slippage not more than [ ] mm at [ ] N to BS EN ISO 13936-2 [edition]; and the supplier's written cleaning instructions. Before the cloth is cut, supply a test report from [a named laboratory] for each test, naming the standard and edition, the colourway and the batch. Fire performance is specified in clause B2; these are not fire tests. Coated fabric is tested to the methods the supplier states [for example the ISO 5470 series], not to BS EN ISO 12947. Leather: [name, finish, colourway], hides [ ] m2 each (area to BS EN ISO 11646), [ ] % usable, to the leather specification [ref].

Seat height [450] mm ± [10] as sat on; slope [3] degrees and back rake [5] degrees as drawn; a full-size prototype is sit-tested and signed before production.

Finished seat height [450] mm, tolerance [± 10] mm, from finished floor level to the top of the loaded upholstery on the seat centreline, one third of the depth back from the front edge (unloaded height in brackets on the drawing). Seat depth [430] mm; clear width between arms [480] mm; arm height [205] mm above the loaded seat; seat slope [3] degrees back from horizontal and back rake [5] degrees from vertical, measured on the finished, loaded seat. The contractor provides one full-size prototype with the production frame, filling and suspension before production. It is sit-tested by [4] people including one small and one large adult, [20] minutes each, recorded on sheet [ref]. Production does not start until the designer has signed the prototype Approved. Changes after sign-off are by written variation only.

Frame [timber species or metal section], joints [type] glued and [mechanically fixed], finish [system] to sample [S-nn], as drawing [ref].

Frame: [beech / ash / other] [at [ ] % moisture content at assembly] [or metal section [ ], joined by [ ]]. Joints at each junction: [type], with [adhesive] and [corner blocks glued and screwed]. Fixings are [type] and can be re-tightened. Castors and mechanisms [reference] are evidenced separately. Exposed timber finished [system], [ ] coats, to sample [S-nn], with surface resistance shown as clause C2. A written build statement is supplied before order and matches the approved shop drawing [ref, revision].

Table [1,200 x 750] mm, top [745] mm above finished floor level and [295] mm above the finished seat height of [450] mm; apron not lower than [seat height + 200] mm.

Table [ref] [1,200] x [750] mm, finished height [745] mm ± [3] mm to the top surface, measured from finished floor level at each leg. Gap from seat to top [295] mm (280 to 300 mm) for chair [ref] at finished seat height [450] mm as sat on. Underside of apron or rail not lower than [seat height + 200] mm, and the base clear of the knees. Height and size are critical dimensions: checked before dispatch and at handover, and recorded. The shop drawing governs. Where the table sits on a banquette, or the seat is soft, the height is confirmed on a mock-up with the real seat before production.

Top: [material] [ ] mm thick, edge [profile], finished to sample [S-nn]; surface resistance to liquids, heat and scratching shown by a report on an identical panel.

Top: [solid timber / veneered board / stone / glass / solid surface / metal], [ ] mm thick, edge [profile] to sample [S-nn], every face finished including the underside. Finish [system, named by type and performance] on [substrate]. Before production supply a report from [an accredited test house] on a panel of the same substrate finished identically, showing resistance to cold liquids (BS EN 12720), wet heat (BS EN 12721), dry heat (BS EN 12722) and scratching (BS EN 15186), editions stated, to achieve [rating]. [Stone: slab selected against sample [S-nn], [bookmatched], sealed with [ ], [ ] mm thick, weight [ ] kg shown on the drawing.] [Glass: [toughened / laminated] glass [ ] mm thick, polished arrises, supports as drawing [ref], with the glazier's declaration of the standard met.]

Table to BS EN 15372:2023 [edition to confirm], with the full report for this model; stable, and fixed as drawing [ref].

Table [ref] is to be tested to BS EN 15372:2023 [edition to be confirmed on BSI Knowledge before order] for non-domestic tables [at the test severity agreed with the client], by an accredited laboratory, with the full signed report for the exact model and variants supplied, dated within [12] months. Reports to a withdrawn edition, or for a different model, are not accepted. Where a table is bespoke and no report exists, [a representative sample is tested before production / the alternative agreed: [ ]]. Where the table is fixed to the floor or a wall, the fixing, the substrate it relies on and who checks it are shown on drawing [ref]. Maximum unsupported overhang [ ] mm for the stated top material and thickness, confirmed in writing by [fabricator].

Carcase [18] mm [MDF / plywood] to [standard], [fire or emission class], balanced veneer on both faces, edges [solid lipped], as drawing [ref].

Carcase: [MDF to BS EN 622-5 type [ ] / plywood to [standard]], [18] mm finished thickness [± [ ] mm], with a declaration of performance; formaldehyde class [E1 / no added formaldehyde]; board conditioned to the site relative humidity for [ ] days before cutting. Where fire-retardant board is specified: reaction to fire class [class] to BS EN 13501-1 for the thickness and mounting, applying to the finished build-up of board and finish, confirmed in writing by the supplier. Veneered panels are balanced on the reverse with veneer of the same species and thickness. Edges [solid lipping / veneered / wrapped] as sample [S-nn]. No substitution without [designer]'s written approval.

[Species], [cut], appearance to match control sample [S-nn]; moisture content [ ] % at dispatch; veneer [match] from one flitch across [elevation].

Solid timber: species [European oak], cut [quarter sawn], appearance to control sample [S-nn]; sapwood [not permitted] on visible faces; knots [none] on visible faces; moisture content [ ] % at dispatch for a [heated] interior. Veneer: [species], [cut], [ ] mm thick; leaf match [book matched / slip matched]; one flitch for [elevations]; leaf layout drawing [ref] approved before pressing. Certification [FSC 100% / PEFC / none] on [named items], with the certificate number and claim on the delivery note. Natural variation within the approved range [S-nn to S-nn] is not a defect.

Hinges [type, ref], [number] per door, rated for [ ] kg; drawer boxes [material] on [runner ref] rated [ ] kg, soft-close; handles [ref].

Doors: [number] hinges per door, [type and reference], [finish], rated for doors up to [ ] kg, adjustable in three directions. Drawer boxes: [material, thickness, joint] on [runner type and reference], rated [ ] kg, soft-close, [full extension], with stops. Gaps between doors and drawer fronts [ ] mm, even to [± ] mm (clause A5). Handles: [reference, material, finish], [length] centres, fixed with [ ]; match sample [S-nn]. Hardware data sheets are supplied before order; substitutions only by written approval.

Storage to BS EN 16121:2023 [edition to confirm], with the full report for this model; tall units fixed as drawing [ref].

Storage units [refs] are to be tested to BS EN 16121:2023 [edition to be confirmed on BSI Knowledge before order] for non-domestic storage furniture, with the full signed report from an accredited laboratory for the exact model, dated within [12] months. Where a unit is bespoke and no report exists, [a representative sample is tested before production / the alternative agreed: [ ]]. Units taller than [ ] mm, and any unit that could tip with drawers or doors open, are fixed to [the wall / the floor] with [fixings] into [substrate] as drawing [ref]; the fixing and the wall behind it are checked by [party] before the unit is loaded. Shelf thickness, span and design load [ ] are shown on the drawing.