Measurements and Manufacturing Disclaimer
Custom Seating Measurement & Manufacturing Disclaimer
Novacorr Healthcare manufactures custom assistive seating and recliner chairs designed to suit the individual requirements of each user. Due to the custom nature of upholstered seating and the dynamic movement of recliner mechanisms, final dimensions may vary from scripted measurements depending on positioning, upholstery compression, product configuration, and user posture.
All Novacorr seating products are manufactured using a standardised internal measurement methodology. Measurements taken using alternative methods may produce different results.
Purpose of This Document:
This document explains how Novacorr Healthcare measures, manufactures, and delivers custom seating products. It outlines:
- the standard Novacorr measurement methodology
- expected manufacturing tolerances
- clinical responsibilities of prescribing therapists
- what Novacorr can and cannot assess
- approval requirements prior to production
This document is designed to ensure transparency, reduce measurement disputes, and support compliance with NDIS Assistive Technology expectations.
Alignment With NDIS Requirements
Under the NDIS Act 2013, NDIS Rules, and NDIS Assistive Technology Assessment and Delivery Guidance, the prescribing therapist is responsible for:
- determining the participant’s functional seating needs
- selecting clinically appropriate measurements
- ensuring measurements reflect the participant’s posture, tone, and biomechanical presentation
- documenting any clinical considerations that affect seating
Novacorr manufactures equipment based solely on the measurements and instructions provided and does not determine clinical suitability.
Measurement Methodology
Floor to Seat Height
Floor to seat height is measured with the client seated in a neutral position with:
• knees bent at approximately 90 degrees
• hips positioned at approximately 90 degrees
Measurement is taken from the floor to the underside of the thigh behind the knee.
Where the client has a larger calf or thigh profile, Novacorr may:
• apply light pressure behind the knee to obtain a neutral position, or
• measure from the midpoint of the knee crease
The chair is then manufactured to this height including seat foam.
For structural safety reasons, the minimum floor-to-seat height is 16.5 inches (419 mm).
Final seat height may vary depending on:
• recliner mechanism position
• foot adjustment settings
• compression of foam during use
• additional pressure care inserts such as gel or pressure management systems
Where additional pressure care layers are required, the overall floor-to-seat height may increase.
Standard Novacorr Measurement Methodology
All measurements are taken with the client:
- seated upright
- hips at approximately 90°
- knees at approximately 90°
- feet supported on the floor
Measurements taken using alternative positions or techniques may produce different results.
Floor to Seat Height
Measured from the floor to the underside of the thigh behind the knee.
If the client has a larger calf or thigh profile, Novacorr may:
- apply light pressure behind the knee to achieve a neutral position, or
- measure to the midpoint of the knee crease
Minimum structural height: 16.5 inches (419 mm).
Final height may vary due to foam compression, recline position, and pressure care inserts.
Seat Depth
Seat depth is measured from the back of the knee crease to the rear pelvic contact point with the client seated in approximately 90-degree hip and knee flexion.
Where the calf profile is large, Novacorr may:
• apply light pressure behind the knee, or
• measure to the midpoint of the knee crease
During manufacturing, Novacorr incorporates structural allowances for framing and upholstery. The frame depth includes approximately 10 inches of internal structure and padding between the front seat rail and the backrest structure.
Effective seating depth may vary depending on:
• backrest angle
• foam compression
• internal padding adjustments via upholstery access zips
• upholstery tension and material thickness
Adjusting the backrest away from the neutral position may increase or decrease the effective seat depth.
Seat Width
Seat width refers to the internal structural frame width between the chair arms.
Because arm profiles may taper, curve, or include upholstered padding, measurements taken from external surfaces may appear narrower or wider than the internal structural width.
Measurements taken from different points on the arm profile may therefore produce different results despite the internal frame width remaining correct.
Back Height
Back height is measured from the seat base frame to the midpoint of the user’s ear.
The structural frame is manufactured to this measurement.
Upholstery padding is then applied over the frame to provide head protection, comfort and pressure distribution. Because upholstery is applied over the frame, the finished upholstered height will typically exceed the structural frame height.
The upholstered headrest area is non-structural and may vary depending on padding thickness and compression.
Arm Height
Arm height is measured to the front structural face of the arm frame.
Foam and upholstery layers are then applied to achieve the final padded arm profile.
Because the seat base is angled and the chair incorporates a reclining mechanism, perceived arm height may change depending on:
• chair recline position
• seat compression
• upholstery profile
Upholstery, Foam & Mechanism Variability
Novacorr seating products incorporate soft upholstery materials and mechanical reclining systems which may influence finished dimensions.
Factors that may alter finished measurements include:
• upholstery padding thickness
• foam compression during normal use
• pressure care inserts or overlays
• reclining mechanism positioning
• user posture and positioning
• upholstery tension and material variation
For these reasons, finished dimensions measured after delivery may differ depending on how and where the chair is measured and the position of the chair at the time of measurement.
Structural vs Upholstered vs Functional Measurements
To prevent misunderstanding:
- Structural measurements refer to the internal frame.
- Upholstered measurements include foam, padding, and fabric.
- Functional measurements depend on the user’s posture, tone, and positioning at the time of measurement.
Finished upholstered dimensions will differ from structural dimensions due to normal upholstery processes.
Manufacturing Tolerances
Custom upholstered furniture is manufactured within recognised industry tolerances.
Unless otherwise specified, Novacorr products may vary within a dimensional tolerance of ±25 mm (±1 inch) due to upholstery compression, foam variation and assembly processes.
Such variations are considered normal and do not constitute a manufacturing fault.
Manufacturing Tolerances
Custom upholstered seating is manufactured within recognised industry tolerances.
Unless otherwise specified, Novacorr products may vary by:
±25 mm (±1 inch)
Variations may occur due to:
- upholstery compression
- foam density variation
- recliner mechanism positioning
- user posture
- pressure care inserts
These variations are normal and do not constitute a manufacturing fault.
Factors That Influence Finished Dimensions
Finished measurements may differ from scripted measurements due to:
- upholstery padding thickness
- foam compression during normal use
- pressure care overlays or gel systems
- recliner mechanism position
- user posture, tone, and pelvic alignment
- upholstery tension and material variation
Measurements taken after delivery may vary depending on where and how the chair is measured.
Clinical Assessment & Measurement Responsibility
Novacorr Healthcare manufactures seating based on the measurements and information provided at the time of order.
Measurements taken by Novacorr staff are recorded using the standard Novacorr seated measurement methodology outlined above. This methodology assumes the user is assessed in a seated position with approximately 90-degree hip and knee flexion, unless alternative instructions are provided.
Some clients may present with clinical or biomechanical conditions which can influence seating requirements when reclining or changing position. These may include, but are not limited to:
• tight hamstrings
• posterior pelvic tilt
• pelvic instability
• reduced hip range of motion
• contractures or muscle shortening
• neurological conditions affecting posture
• positioning changes when reclining or lying flat
Where such conditions exist, it is the responsibility of the prescribing therapist, clinician, or client representative to identify how these factors may influence seating requirements.
If alternative measurements or positioning considerations are required to accommodate the client’s specific clinical presentation, these must be clearly communicated to Novacorr prior to manufacture.
Clinical Responsibilities of the Prescribing Therapist
Regardless of who physically records the measurements, the clinical interpretation and suitability of those measurements remain the responsibility of the prescribing therapist or client representative.
Therapists must consider:
- tight hamstrings
- posterior pelvic tilt
- pelvic obliquity or rotation
- reduced hip range of motion
- contractures
- fluctuating tone
- neurological conditions
- changes in posture when reclining or lying flat
If alternative measurement methods or positioning considerations are required, these must be clearly communicated to Novacorr prior to manufacture.
Novacorr does not assess:
- musculoskeletal limitations
- postural instability
- biomechanical conditions
- pressure injury risk
- functional changes between seated and reclined positions
- long‑term clinical progression
Novacorr relies on the therapist’s professional judgement to ensure measurements are clinically appropriate.
Responsibility for Measurement Interpretation
Measurements may be recorded by Novacorr staff, therapists, clinicians, family members or support workers. Regardless of who physically records the measurements, the clinical interpretation and suitability of those measurements for the intended user remains the responsibility of the prescribing therapist or client representative.
Novacorr Healthcare manufactures equipment based on the measurements and instructions supplied or approved at the time of order and does not conduct a full clinical assessment of the user.
Novacorr cannot assess:
• underlying musculoskeletal limitations
• postural instability or biomechanical conditions
• functional changes between seated, reclined or lying positions
• long-term clinical progression of the user’s condition
Where a therapist or clinician is involved, Novacorr relies on their professional judgement to ensure the measurements supplied are clinically appropriate for the user.
What Novacorr Does Not Do
To avoid misunderstanding, Novacorr does not:
- conduct clinical seating assessments
- determine clinical suitability of measurements
- assess risk related to pressure injury, falls, or restrictive practices
- interpret NDIS goals or functional capacity
- adjust measurements based on clinical presentation unless instructed in writing
- guarantee that finished upholstered dimensions will match scripted measurements exactly
Novacorr manufactures to the measurements supplied and approved.
Custom Manufacturing Approval
Prior to production, the purchaser, prescribing therapist or client representative is responsible for reviewing and confirming that the measurements provided are correct and suitable for the user.
Once approved for manufacture, Novacorr will produce the chair according to the approved measurements and manufacturing methodology.
Novacorr cannot accept responsibility where:
• measurements supplied are clinically unsuitable for the user
• clinical conditions affecting posture or positioning were not disclosed
• alternative measurement methods are used that differ from Novacorr’s standard methodology
Information Required Before Manufacture
Before production, the therapist or purchaser must disclose:
- postural deformities
- asymmetry
- contractures
- tone fluctuations
- pressure care needs
- behavioural or neurological factors affecting seating
- expected changes in posture when reclining
Failure to disclose relevant clinical information may result in a product that does not meet the user’s needs. This is a clinical issue, not a manufacturing fault.
Custom Manufacturing Approval
Production will not commence until the therapist, purchaser, or authorised representative confirms in writing that:
- all measurements are correct
- measurements were taken using the Novacorr methodology
- clinical considerations have been disclosed
- the measurements are clinically appropriate for the user
- they understand manufacturing tolerances and upholstery variability
- custom products may not be returnable or refundable
Once approved, Novacorr manufactures exactly to the measurements provided.
Measurement Dispute Process
To prevent unnecessary disputes:
- Any concerns about measurements must be raised before production.
- Post‑delivery concerns must include clinical justification, not subjective opinion.
- Variations within ±25 mm and differences caused by posture, foam compression, or recline position are not grounds for remake or refund.
- Disputes relating to clinical suitability are the responsibility of the prescribing therapist, not Novacorr.
Important Clinical Note
Assistive seating products must be used in accordance with supplier guidance and prescribed accessories. Use of non-approved components or configurations may increase the risk of injury, entrapment or improper positioning.
Custom Products
Due to the bespoke nature of custom assistive seating, products manufactured to approved measurements are custom-made items and may not be returnable or refundable unless a verified manufacturing defect is present.
Custom Product Conditions
Custom seating is manufactured specifically for the individual user.
Custom products:
- cannot be resold
- cannot be returned
- cannot be refunded unless a verified manufacturing defect is present
Variations caused by upholstery, foam, posture, or clinical factors are not defects.
Important Safety Note
Assistive seating must be used with prescribed accessories and configurations.
Use of non‑approved components may increase the risk of injury, entrapment, or improper positioning.