Why Are File Cabinets So Heavy?

Introduction

File cabinets are fixtures in offices and homes for every corner of the planet. They have several purposes, including sorting of information, providing safe basement for items and sometimes they play the role of extra surface space conducive for the office paraphernalia. Another aspect about file cabinets that easily gets people thinking is their heavy weight. If you have ever tried moving one or just noticed the bulkiness when organizing your working area, the question that you may have asked yourself is; why are file cabinets so heavy?

Don't let disorganization hold you back any longer!

This paper shall seek to give an explanation to the puzzle of why file cabinet manufacturers create such heavy devices, explaining all the contributors starting from the materials used to the stability orientation. We will also make practical suggestions on purchase, location and transportation of the file cabinets to avoid causing any unnecessary inconveniences. If you are in need of useful information about this very frequent office item, keep reading because you are about to learn more.

The Core Reason: Heavy-duty Construction Materials in Mind for Longevity and Safety

Most of the file cabinets are built with the aspect of strength and safety. After all, it does help in the proper and secure storage of most important documents, sometimes even very critical ones such as contracts, financial documents, and private information. For this reason, it is important to construct them of very strong and durable materials that are able to bear the many files and documents that are normally packed in them.

Construction Materials: Metal and Steel Construction

The primary cause of the irregular heaviness of file cabinets is the materials which are used while making them. Also, most of the qualitative file cabinets are made out of thick-gauge steel or metal which serves a purpose of safety to your documents.

Steel file cabinets are very strong and offer security from misplacement and destruction.

Although metal cabinets are strong enough to provide structural integrity to the cabinet even with the cabinet filled with heavy document files, the operable drawers are still free from any form of twisting out of shape.

This application of strong materials is even more critical in the office environment since office cupboards have to be opened and closed many times during the course of the work day. The steel frame and body make sure that the center of gravity stays in the cabinet thus eliminating the chances of the unit flying sideways especially when all the drawers are open and filled with files.

Example:

A file cabinet meant for fire damage protection and keeping papers like the CVS fire rescue safe from heat always has ample weight to build of average steel file cabinet as it requires much more insulation and exterior shields to cope with hard wear.

Mechanism of the Drawer and The Safety Devices

Files and their level of importance are attributed to yet another feature of file cabinets; the drawer mechanism. Most reputable file cabinets have rolling ball-bearing glides that are durable and enable the file drawers to pull out completely without any resistance even when it is heavily loaded. They mostly comprise steel parts and thus add weight to the cabinet.

Also, a good number of file cabinets have been fitted with anti- tip safety devices and counterweight safety features such as interlock which prohibits more than one drawer from being opened at the same time. Such features enhance safety but also add weight of bulkiness of the unit.

Example:

A lateral file cabinet possessing an interlock mechanism is useful in ensuring that the weight is evenly performed so as to limit occurrences of the cabinet, especially with one of the drawers pulled out filled with weighty documents, from toppling over. The additional metal incorporated for these safety features adds the overall weight.

File Cabinets Are Built for Stability

It should be clear why one of the heaviest files is a file cabinet and for amongst other reasons is to provide stability. File cabinets are likely to be filled up with packed bundles of paper files that once opened could displace the center of balance as the loaded drawers would be too heavy to close. A file cabinet that is made of fiberglass and has paper files on the drawers that are we at the bottom of the cabinet could tip over rather easily.

The file cabinets are made of heavy materials so that even if they are loaded to the maximum, the file cabinets do not topple over. This is particularly important for the vertical file cabinets, which are quite a tall order and depend heavily on avoiding a shift in weight every time a drawer is pulled out.

Example:

If you imagine drawing out the top drawer of a fully loaded four drawer file cabinet, it’s needless to say that the base of the cabinet has the required weight only, in this case, it should have a hollow center which is guaranteed to tip the entire cabinet forward and possibly a very serious office accident.

How Much Available Weight Can A File Cabinet Hold?

The weight of any bungalow file cabinet may differ from one to the next due to its dimensions, materials and belongings. Let’s take a look at what are the weights for the different types of file cabinets that are available in the market:

Two drawer vertical metal file cabinet: its weight ranges from 50 to 80 pounds only.

Four drawer vertical metal file cabinet: the weight ranges between 100 and 150 pounds only.

Lateral file cabinets (And these are typically thicker): weight ranges from 120 pounds to as much as 200 pound or more.

Fireproof file cabinets: Due to extra constituents such catch or holder or lock, these might range from 200 to 600 pounds depending upon their size and rating of the fire resistive level.

Actionable Tip:

Before making a decision to buy a file cabinet read the specifications regarding its weight and size so that you will be sure if the flooring or the office layout can contain it most especially for the larger ones like fireproof cabinets.

How To Transport An Overstuffed File Cabinet Without Breaking A Sweat

Carrying a file cabinet, neither it is the reorganization of an office nor a psychical move to a new premise, is usually a strenuous affair in view of its bulk. Here, therefore, are some suggestions on how to make the transportation of the bulky file cabinet simple and more manageable.

Remove Drawers

The first thing you can do to minimize the weight of a file cabinet is to take out all the papers from the drawers. That also lightens the weight of the cabinet and reduces any chances of loose filing cabinets moving in between the transfers.

Place in a Dolly or Hand Truck

If it is a very heavy file cabinet, equipment like dolly or hand truck ought to be employed to prevent injury. These tools can assist you in shifting the cabinet without pulling it off the ground, thereby, averting back stress.

Seek Assistance

When faced with an overweight cabinet, it is illogical to try to move it to a desired place alone. Use the assistance of a friend or you can hire professional movers to avoid the loss of the cabinet as well as any damage in the area.

Detach Drawer Units If Needed

Some file cabinets have the option for removing the drawers, which helps in reducing the weight a lot. Just make sure to put all the pieces back right to avoid compromising its shape.

Actionable Tip:

Whenever a file cabinet is to be transported, the drawers should be fastened to avoid any sliding open by use of packing tape or straps.

Are There Also Other Options That Are Lighter?

For those that may be worried of the weight that the normal filing cabinets carry, there are other lighter options available in the market. Such products may not be as resistant and safe as steel file cabinets but can nonetheless hold all the filing that people would want for documents that are not too important.

Plastic or Laminate – Insert file cabinets

Plastic and laminate cabinets for files are quite considerabley dense and lesser than the metallic cabinet files. They may not withstand the rigorous use that some filing cabinets are accustomed to but serves well for home office use or for non-important paper work.

File Cabinets on Roller

These file cabinets have wheels and so every time one needs to shift them around, there is no hassle. These are usually smaller two-drawer units, often made from lighter materials like laminated or wooden fiber board or materials.

Wheeled file carts consisting of less weight material such as plastic wood can be a good fit for the home office as they are easier to use and move around than a large filing metal box Which is normal in every household.

Wall Utilized File Organizers

For those who want to cut on the bulky versatile furniture, the wall file organizers can come in handy. The result is faster access for paper work though they are likely to be inefficient if there is a lot of paper work.

Example:

A plastic or wood wall file can be hung on the wall very close to your workstation for swifter access to frequently used documents, it is simple and beautiful.

Conclusion: Why File Cabinets Are Worth the Weight

So, why should there be chest drawers – the cabinets that can hold a lot of items within it and still a lot of weight to move around? The reply is all embedded in how they are made, what materials are used and the overall design of the chest of drawers such durability, weighing down , and safety are all accorded to those essential items. Why this is an advantage is because it may be hard to relocate them but it also means that the cabinet would endure heavy usage on a daily basis and therefore keep the files orderly and well protected.

Options for Picking the Right File Cabinet

When setting up either a home office or a professional work area, knowing the reason why file cabinets are heavy will help a lot in making choices for example one selecting the most appropriate file cabinet for their usage. Also, in case you need to lift or change the position of your heavy file cabinet at some point, just sticking to a couple of safety measures will make sure you go through the exercise without a hassle.

Don't let disorganization hold you back any longer!

FAQ

What determines the weight limit of a file cabinet, and how much does it hold?

On the other hand, a standard drawer of a metal chest file cabinet can hold between fifty pounds to eighty pounds depending on the make. And check the weight limits for design of your specific cabinet so that it does not get overloaded.

Do I havne to look for help to move a file cabinet or can I do that on my own?

Moving a file cabinet should ideally not be done unassisted because the file cabinet is generally heavy. If you have to do so, employ the use of a dolly or hand truck, and make sure you pull out most of the drawers first to reduce weight.

Is the file cabinet made of plastic just as strong as those made from metal or steel?

Compared to the metal or steel cabinets, the plastic file cabinets are not as strong and light in weight. They are decent in light file cabinets at home office or light storage but probably will not withstand daily heavy duty use as metal ones do.

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