ᐅ How stable is the Ikea Brimnes wardrobe during minor earthquakes or vibrations?

Created on: 19 Jun 2023 08:42
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Mahmud10
Hello everyone, I am moving to an area that occasionally experiences minor tremors and vibrations. I own the Ikea Brimnes wardrobe and am concerned about its stability during such events. How secure is the Brimnes wardrobe in the event of an earthquake or strong vibrations? Are there any known issues with its stability or wall anchoring? Is the construction sturdy enough to prevent it from tipping over or falling apart during shaking? I would appreciate hearing if anyone has experience with this wardrobe under such conditions or if there are specific installation tips to improve its safety. Thank you for your helpful answers!
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Kenon70
19 Jun 2023 12:10
The Brimnes frame is designed for regular use. Earth tremor? Secure it to the wall with a bracket; otherwise, there is a risk of tipping over.
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LEEJU
19 Jun 2023 12:35
Important: Never place the Brimnes wardrobe without securing it to the wall. Even small vibrations can cause it to tip over if it is not fixed in place.
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Jodyro
19 Jun 2023 13:04
Brimnes is stable when properly assembled and fixed to the wall. It is not specially designed for seismic activity, but it is sufficient for minor vibrations.
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Mahmud10
20 Jun 2023 07:29
Surela schrieb:
The Brimnes wardrobe is made of particleboard designed for moderate loads and normal living conditions.

Thanks for the detailed explanation, Surela! How important is the wall’s load-bearing capacity in practice? I live in an older apartment building with thick brick walls. Are simple wall plugs sufficient there, or would chemical anchors be better? Also, how about fixing into drywall / plasterboard walls, for anyone with similar experience? I want to be on the safe side, even though the vibrations are quite moderate.
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Surela
20 Jun 2023 08:03
Mahmud10 schrieb:
How important is the load-bearing capacity of the wall really?

Very important. For solid brick walls, high-quality, long anchor bolts or chemical injection anchors are highly recommended. The better the anchoring, the lower the risk of the cabinet coming loose during an earthquake or vibrations. For drywall (also called plasterboard or gypsum board) walls, you should definitely use specialized cavity anchors or metal toggle bolts, as conventional anchors won’t hold securely there. In drywall, the wall mounting is usually the most critical point, so it’s better to focus on good quality and possibly use multiple anchoring points. If you like, I can put together a list of recommended anchor types for you.
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Katan
20 Jun 2023 09:28
Mahmud10 schrieb:
Want to be on the safe side, even though the vibrations are rather moderate.

That’s understandable, safety comes first! 😎 My advice: always use dowels that are slightly oversized and screw into two or three holes instead of just one. If you’re already putting in time and effort, this way it will feel solid and secure in the long run. And hey, as Jukin mentioned, adding a magnetic catch to the doors also makes sense – it prevents the inside of the cabinet from turning into an open-air festival during shaking.