IS 17634: 2022
Storage units
1. Summary about Storage Units
Storage units are furniture products designed to organize and store documents, materials, equipment, or personal belongings in residential, commercial, and institutional environments. These units include cabinets, cupboards, shelving systems, lockers, and other enclosed or open storage structures.
Storage furniture plays an essential role in maintaining organized spaces and protecting stored items from damage or loss. Depending on their intended use, storage units may be constructed from wood, engineered panels, metal sheets, or composite materials.
Because storage units often hold significant loads, including files, tools, books, or equipment, they must be structurally strong and stable. Poorly designed storage furniture can collapse or deform under load, leading to damage of stored items and potential safety hazards.
2. Why BIS Certificate is Mandatory for Storage Units
BIS certification ensures that storage units meet required standards for strength, stability, and durability. Furniture that does not meet these standards may fail when subjected to normal loads or prolonged use.
The Bureau of Indian Standards establishes specifications that define acceptable limits for load-bearing capacity, material quality, and construction methods. Certification confirms that the storage units have been tested and manufactured in accordance with these standards.
Mandatory certification also helps maintain consistency in product quality across the furniture industry while providing consumers and organizations with reliable storage solutions.
3. What is BIS Certified for Storage Units
BIS certification examines several aspects of storage furniture to verify its structural reliability and long-term performance. The certification process evaluates load-bearing capacity, structural integrity of panels and frames, and resistance to deformation during regular use.
Material quality is also assessed, including the strength of wood panels, metal components, hinges, and fasteners used in assembly. The overall design must ensure that the furniture remains stable even when fully loaded.
Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with the relevant Indian Standard through testing and inspection. Once approved, the product may carry the ISI mark, indicating conformity with BIS requirements.
Tests required for Storage Units
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Design and workmanship | -- |
| Dimensions | -- |
| Rigid Surfaces | -- |
| Fabric and Synthetic Leather | -- |
| Natural Leather | -- |
Shelves (Cl 7.2.1)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| General | -- |
| Deflection of shelves | -- |
| Strength of shelf supports | -- |
Tops and Bottoms (Cl 7.2.2)a
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Sustained load test for tops and bottoms | -- |
| Static load test for tops and bottoms | -- |
Strength of Clothes Rails and their Supports (Cl 7.2.3)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Strength of clothes-rail supports | -- |
| Dislodgement of clothes rails | -- |
Strength of the Structure (Cl 7.2.4)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Test for structure and underframe | -- |
| Drop test | -- |
| Tests for units with castors or wheels | -- |
Pivoted Doors (Cl 7.3.1)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Strength of pivoted doors | -- |
| Slam-shut test of pivoted doors | -- |
| Durability of pivoted doors | -- |
Sliding Doors and Horizontal Roll-fronts (Cl 7.3.2)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Slam shut/open test of sliding doors and horizontal roll-fronts | -- |
| Durability of sliding doors and horizontal roll-fronts | -- |
Flaps (Cl 7.3.3)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Strength of bottom-hinged flaps | -- |
| Durability of flaps | -- |
| Drop test for top-hinged flaps | -- |
Vertical Roll-Fronts (Cl 7.3.4)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Slam shut/open test of vertical roll fronts | -- |
| Durability of vertical roll-fronts | -- |
Extension Elements (Cl 7.3.5)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Strength of extension elements | -- |
| Durability of extension elements | -- |
| Slam shut/open test of extension elements | -- |
| Displacement of extension element bottoms | -- |
| Interlock test | -- |
Locking and Latching Mechanism Tests (Cl 7.3.6)a
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Strength test for locking and latching mechanisms for extension elements | -- |
| Locking and latching mechanisms for doors, flaps and roll-fronts | -- |
| Durability test of locking and latching mechanisms | -- |
| Pull Force Test | -- |
| Top Load Ease Cycle Test | -- |
| Durability Test for Units with Seating Surfaces – Cyclic Impact | -- |
| Drop Test – Dynamic – for Units with Seat Surfaces | -- |
Units Not Supported by the Floor (Cl 7.4.1)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Movable parts, shelf supports, tops and bottoms | -- |
| Sustained load test (overload) | -- |
| Dislodgement test | -- |
| Units Supported by the Floor | -- |
Doors, Extension Elements and Flaps Closed, All Storage Units Unloaded (Cl 7.5.2)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| Units that can be adjusted to a Height of 1 000 mm or less | -- |
| Units that can be adjusted to a height of more than 1 000 mm | -- |
| Opening Doors, Extension Elements and Flaps, All Storage Units Unloaded | -- |
Doors, Extension Elements and Flaps Opened and Unlocked (Cl 7.5.4)
| Title | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|
| All storage areas unloaded and all doors, extension elements and flaps open | -- |
| All storage areas unloaded with overturning load | -- |
| All storage areas loaded with overturning load | -- |
| Doors, Extension Elements and Flaps Closed and Locked, All Storage Units Loaded | -- |
| Vertical Force Stability Test for Storage Units | -- |
| Stability Test for Pedestals/Storage Units with Seat Surfaces | -- |
| Dynamic Stability Test for Units with Castors | -- |
| Strength Test for Wall Attachments | -- |
4. Benefits of BIS Certification for Storage Units
- Ensures safe storage solutions
- Improves durability and strength
- Reduces risk of structural failure
- Ensures compliance with Indian standards
- Builds trust among buyers