Bariatics is one of the fastest growing segments in the field of health care. One product often requested within bariatrics is the need for seating. In fact, the need for bariatric seating is everywhere. Companies that hire obese individuals must provide a safe and comfortable office chair for the employee to work. Lobby areas of any kind in any facility have a need for bariatric side chairs. This creates an opportunity for many companies who manufacturer products, to work their way in this new and upcoming marketplace.

Bariatric chairs need to be specially designed to handle the size and the weight associated with this malady. They need to be structurally enhanced to handle the weight. Many office seating manufacturers simply increase the overall size of the chair without upgrading the structure of the chair and then label it “Bariatric.” These manufacturers are usually new to this market and do not understand the definition of the word “bariatric.” One question that should be asked when considering the purchase of a bariatric chair is “What have you done (Mr. Manufacturer) to enhance the integrity of this chair as opposed to other seating your company offers?”

Bariatrics defined as such and what to look for in seating:

Weight capacities begin at 700 lbs and go up from there. Some office seating manufacturers promote bariatric side chairs that will handle 350 lbs of weight. This is NOT a bariatric chair and simply shows the ignorance and lack of industry experience from that manufacturer. In fact, some of the better office seating manufacturers actually promote bariatric side chair exceeding 1,000 lbs.

Seat widths should be a minimum of 26″ and extend up to 40″. In some cases these bariatric side chairs may actually resemble a love seat.

The manufacturer increases the gauge of steel from the standard product. The steel frames must be upgraded and reinforced by the use of additional structural support bars. If the manufacturer does not mention these upgrades in the sales promotion literature then it likely does not exists. If a wood frame is used, be sure it is hardwood with a few joints. Extra frame support is critical.

The foam should be of a high density to prevent compression and loss of height and load over time. You do not want your seat foam to go “flat” over time. All foam is not created equal and quality foam is very important for the life of the seat.

Ease of use. The chair should be designed in such a manner that it is easy to get in and out. It needs to be very stable and well balanced. Overweight individuals often require the use of the arms as a crutch to get out of chair. Be sure they are easily in reach and structurally sound. The chair needs to be properly balanced to prevent it from flipping or propelling an individual forward when getting out of the chair. This is especially true in bariatric side chairs. Bariatric task chairs should have “self braking” casters which will slow down the movement of chair and improve safety.

Depending on the application, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial health care approved vinyl is the best. It can be very easily clean and will resist bacterial. Vinyl is often used to prevent urine or other substances from penetrating and being absorbed into the seat foam. There are many attractive anti-microbial vinyls on the market manufactured specifically for the health care market. Some of the vinyls actually have the appearance of fabric but the properties of vinyl.

The most important reason to review the recommendations above when reviewing bariatric side chairs and office chairs is for the aspect of buying a safe chair

Kookachair, a Cincinnati based office seating company manufacturing domestic made office seating, utilizing domestic made components. Our company sells quality seating such as task chairs, mesh chairs, stack chairs and side chairs. We also manufacture big and tall chairs, bariatric seating, medical seating, dental seating and optical seating. All with a North American made label, avoiding inferior Chinese or offshore made chair components. One interesting point is that Kookachair has been able to sell this superior seating at price points comparable to the imports from China. We can be found at http://www.kookachair.com

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