The testing of gaming tables

Considering the evaluation of this furniture to prove its fitness for purpose.

Having developed from being a niche hobby in the 1980s and 1990s and derided by fans of more popular entertainment, ‘role playing games’ (RPG), board games and fantasy wargames have since attained mainstream acceptance, and are now supported by a multi-million pound industry.

The popularity of table top gaming has been boosted by a surge in uptake during the lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of people sought and found ways to entertain themselves without leaving their homes.

Alongside this rise in popularity of gaming, there has been an increased demand for accompanying products, services and accessories – including gaming tables.

These tables range from relatively simple products with sufficient table top space for a large board game or war game, through to incredibly elaborate tables that convert from a gaming table to a conventional dining table by fitting and securing boards and covers that pull out from storage areas.

Top-of-the-range tables can also feature built-in speakers, card and deck holders, snack trays and cup holders, along with drawers and storage for game counters and tokens. Tables of this nature may retail for tens of thousands of pounds, and would no doubt be a centrepiece in any gaming room.

What many manufacturers and suppliers may not realise is that any table supplied and sold in the UK must meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations, and be fit for purpose and safe for daily use.

It is a fact that the design and constructional requirements of domestic furniture are often overlooked by users. Furniture manufacturers, however, must consider these issues, and the performance and fitness for purpose standards in force for the product’s intended market.

Simulating use

Tables are used in a variety of applications and can be moved around many times during their lifespan. A range of tests can be carried out to determine if a table or desk is fit for purpose. These include assessing the effects of static load, fatigue, sustained load, impact, dropping and overturning. Tests are designed to simulate normal use and an acceptable amount of misuse. For example, the vertical static load test simulates several people sitting or standing on the table to reproduce instances where this may occur.

Domestic and contract

There are several standards that relate to the testing of tables. SATRA can help to test to the appropriate standard, depending on the environment for which the table is designed, as many of these have been recently revised. BS EN 12521:2023 assess the safety, strength and durability requirements for the domestic market, and BS EN 15372:2023 covers non-domestic (contract) use. BS EN 1729:2015 considers tables and chairs for educational institutions and BS EN 581:2017 defines the general safety requirements for outdoor furniture.

One of the procedures for assessing strength involves dropping the table (usually from one end) and examining for any resultant damage. The drop height depends on the weight of the product, with heavier items being dropped from lower heights.

Components and devices

Critically for gaming tables, other aspects of tables and desks such as glass components, cable management elements and associated devices need to be assessed for fitness for purpose. This would naturally include extra components of gaming tables such as storage areas, snack trays and cup holders.

There can be no doubt that tabletop gaming is not a short-lived phenomenon, but will continue to be a valuable industry, with products like gaming tables being in high demand.

Consumers expect proof that furniture on the market meets the required standards, and high-value gaming tables will be no exception. SATRA’s ISO 17025-accredited furniture testing facility can provide the relevant testing for these products, evaluating to the appropriate international, national and industry standards, and can also test to manufacturers and retailers’ own specifications.

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