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One major source was the UK Anthropometric Survey of School Children 2001 undertaken as a partnership between FIRA, DfES, CFG and the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA). Further information on this survey is given below.
In 2001 the DfES, CFG, FIRA and BESA agreed to jointly fund a survey of children’s sizes for a number of reasons.
- A survey had not been carried out for 30 years and it was felt that the data was out of date.
- Anecdotal evidence from teachers and other practitioners suggested that children have become taller in that time.
- Similarly, society has become more multi-cultural and therefore sizes might have become more diverse.
- A new European furniture standard covering sizemarks was under way and it was necessary to be confident that the sizes of furniture recommended were appropriate for UK children.
- There was a need for manufacturers to have access to reliable, up to date information in order to invest confidently in new furniture designs.
- There is an increasing awareness that inappropriately sized furniture could contribute to back pain amongst school children - children are, after all, currently sitting at furniture designed with 30 year old ergonomic information.
1300 school children, aged from 5 to 16 were measured. A wide geographical range was covered across primary and secondary school ages. The data gathered informed the charts shown on this website. Measurements taken were:
- height;
- lower leg length;
- thigh length;
- sitting elbow height;
- shoulder width;
- weight.
As well as charts showing how the data is appropriate to application dimensions, body dimensions from the survey are also given. This, it is hoped, will help people wishing to design their own furniture or to specify sizes for fixed furniture in, for example, building projects.
