Remix Work Chair: An Ergonomic Checklist

by Thomas J. Albin, PhD, PE, CPE

The Remix work chair provides the adjustment capabilities necessary to accommodate a wide range of users and workstation arrangements.

In order to accommodate both petite and taller users, its seat height adjustments utilize three different cylinder arrangements with an overall height adjustment range between 14.8 inches and 23.4 inches. Remix goes beyond the range specified in the anthropometric database1 used to develop the ANSI/HFES 100 standard, and by making an allowance for a 1 inch heel, the seat height for a 5th percentile female is 14.8 inches while that of a 95th percentile male is 19.75 inches.

The Remix chair backrest provides a lumbar support that conforms to each individual user. The backrest supports both upright and reclined seated work, tilting between 96º and 124º to support these different working postures.

The Remix adjustment features for the backrest, armrests and for the seat width and depth, when combined with the three cylinder height ranges, makes the chair a good ergonomic solution for office workplace seating.

ANSI/HFES 100 REQUIREMENTS	REMIX CONFORMANCE
GENERAL
Stable during use (must conform to ANSI/BIFMA X 5.1)	YES
Support at least two of the seated reference postures	YES
Provide support to the user’s back and thighs	YES
Chair controls shall not protude into the leg and foot clearance space or interfere with typical work activities	YES
SEAT
Must have seat pan height adjustment of at least 4.5" in the range between 15-22" above the floor can be achieved with multiple chairs/cylinders	YES, 17.2"—22.1" standard cylinder, 14.8"—22.1" low cylinder
Seat pan must not be more than 16.9" in depth if non-adjustable	ADJUSTABLE
If seat pan depth is adjustable, it must include a depth of 16.9"	YES, adjusts between 14.75" and 17.75"
The seat pan must be at least 17.7" wide	YES, 20.6"
Have a tilt adjustment range of at least 4º and must include a 3º reclined position	YES, adjusts between 2.8º and 14.8º reclined
BACKREST
Must have a lumbar support	YES
Must not force a torso-thigh angles less than 90º	YES, 90º torso-thigh angle at rest
Must allow adjustment of the angle between the backrest and seat pan so that it is 90º or more	YES, 90º torso-thigh angle at rest, 28º tilt range
Must allow at least a 15º degree recline from vertical position	YES
If the recline angle is adjustable, it must be able to adjust by at least 15 within the range of 90º to 120º relative to horizontal	YES, 24º range (96º—120º)
ARMRESTS
Must provide sufficient clearance for the user to sit or stand without interference	YES, 20.75" internal clearance for fixed arms, 15.5"—23.3" clearance for adjustable arms
Must not cause the user to violate any of the postural guidelines	YES

 

The ANSI/HFES 100 standard2 provides a good, objective means of assessing the suitability of a chair for use in computer workstations. This standard contains ergonomic specifications for office chairs and other furniture, as well as for displays and input devices. It also offers information on how these individual components can be integrated into a workstation that fits the user. It requires manufacturers to provide users with information on specific properties of their products, consequently Knoll has designed and tested this chair to ensure that it conforms to the ANSI/HFES 100 standard’s requirements, as are described below.

Download "Remix Work Chair: An Ergonomic Checklist" to Read the Full Paper