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IS 4103 : 1977metal nesting chairs- Specification

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EN 16139 · ANSI/BIFMA X5.4 · AS/NZS 4688.2
CurrentSpecializedSpecificationBIMArchitectural · Furniture
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Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues4InternationalTablesFAQ3Related

IS 4103:1977 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for metal nesting chairs- specification. This standard specifies the requirements for materials, dimensions, manufacture, and finish of metal nesting chairs, commonly used in public halls, auditoriums, and commercial offices.

metal nesting chairs- Specification

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Furniture
Type
Specification
International equivalents
EN 16139:2013+A1:2021 · CEN - European Committee for Standardization, EuropeANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2020 · BIFMA - Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association, USAAS/NZS 4688.2:2000 · Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
Typically used with
IS 7138IS 1161IS 2074IS 101
Also on InfraLens for IS 4103
4Key values1Tables3FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! Ensure the tubular frame is properly bent without crimping or structural weakening.
! Nesting capability must be checked practically by stacking at least 5 chairs to verify stability and adequate clearance without scratching.
! Anti-rust treatment (phosphating) is critical before painting or powder coating to ensure durability.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3MaterialsCl. 4Dimensions and TolerancesCl. 5ManufactureCl. 6FinishCl. 7Packing
Pulled from IS 4103:1977. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
tubular steelsheet metalwoodplasticenamel paint

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 16139:2013+A1:2021CEN - European Committee for Standardization, Europe
MediumCurrent
Furniture - Strength, durability and safety - Requirements for non-domestic seating
Covers all non-domestic seating, including chairs for similar uses, but is performance-based, not prescriptive.
ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2020BIFMA - Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association, USA
MediumCurrent
Public and Lounge Seating - Tests
Defines test methods for public seating, which would include nesting chairs, focusing on safety and durability performance.
ISO 7173:1989ISO - International Organization for Standardization
LowWithdrawn
Furniture — Chairs and stools — Determination of strength and durability
Provided general test methods for strength and durability, forming the basis for many modern standards, but was not a complete product specification.
AS/NZS 4688.2:2000Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
LowCurrent
Furniture — Fixed height chairs — Part 2: Determination of strength and durability
Specifies test methods for strength and durability of chairs, but does not provide complete design or acceptance criteria like IS 4103.
Key Differences
≠IS 4103 is a prescriptive standard, specifying exact material dimensions (e.g., 15 mm nominal bore steel tube, 'Medium' class). International standards like EN 16139 are performance-based, allowing any material or design that can pass the required tests.
≠Testing regimes in modern international standards are far more rigorous. For example, EN 16139 specifies durability tests of 100,000 to 200,000 cycles, whereas IS 4103 specifies only single-application static load and impact tests.
≠International standards include comprehensive safety requirements not present in IS 4103, such as assessments for shear and squeeze points, finger entrapment, and more complex forward and sideways stability (anti-tip) tests.
≠Modern standards classify furniture for different levels of use (e.g., light, general, severe use in EN 16139), with corresponding test requirements. IS 4103 has a single set of requirements with no such classification.
Key Similarities
≈All standards have the fundamental goal of ensuring the chair is strong, durable, and safe for public or institutional use.
≈Both IS 4103 and its international counterparts specify tests based on applying loads to critical components like the seat, backrest, and legs/frame.
≈The concept of a static proof load test on the seat and backrest is a common principle, although the specific forces and methodologies differ significantly.
≈All standards require the use of materials that conform to other relevant standards, for example, IS 4103 requires steel tubes to conform to IS 1161.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Seat Static Load Test90 kgf (approx. 883 N) applied once.1600 N (for general use) applied 10 times.EN 16139:2013
Back Static Load Test35 kgf (approx. 343 N) applied once.710 N (for general use) applied 10 times.ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2020
Seat Durability (Fatigue)Not specified; only a single impact test is required.100,000 cycles with 1000 N seat load and 300 N back load (for general use).EN 16139:2013
Frame Material SpecificationPrescribed: Steel tubes to IS 1161, 15 mm nominal bore, 'Medium' class (2.65 mm thick).Not prescribed; must pass performance tests.EN 16139:2013
Stability Test (Forward)A 3 kgf horizontal force should not tip the chair loaded with 50 kg.Chair is loaded with 600 N; it must withstand at least 20 N of horizontal force at the tipping point.EN 16139:2013
Drop Test / Impact Test35 kg sand bag dropped on seat from 150 mm height.120 kg test mass dropped 10 times from 180 mm height (for general use).ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2020
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values4

Quick Reference Values
Seat height430 ± 10 mm
Minimum thickness of tubular steel1.2 mm (18 BG)
Seat depth400 ± 10 mm
Minimum stacking capacity for test5 chairs

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensions of Metal Nesting Chairs
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Materials
Clause 4 - Dimensions and Tolerances
Clause 5 - Manufacture
Clause 6 - Finish
Clause 7 - Packing

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 7138:1994Aluminium Alloy Die Castings
→
IS 1161:2014Steel Tubes for Structural Purposes - Specifi...
→
IS 2074:1992Ready Mixed Paint, Brushing, Bituminous, Blac...
→
IS 101:1986Methods of sampling and test for paints, varn...
→

Frequently Asked Questions3

What is a nesting chair?+
A chair designed with a frame that allows multiple identical chairs to be stacked vertically to save space.
What materials are specified for the chair frame?+
Mild steel tubes generally conforming to IS 7138 or IS 1161.
What surface finish is required?+
Stove enameling or powder coating over a suitable anti-corrosive primer like red oxide zinc chrome (IS 2074).

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