File Cabinet Set-up
This file cabinet has safety hardware installed to prevent both drawers from being opened at
the same time, which minimizes the risk of the file cabinet accidentally tipping forward,
possibly causing damage or personal injury. To properly set-up and use this file cabinet
there are a few things that must be checked or steps performed before loading drawers with
files and using. It is imperative that a file cabinet be level for the drawers and anti-tip
interlock system to work properly. Please read this entire document before loading files into
drawers. After the file cabinet has been set-up and being used, if it becomes necessary to
move the file cabinet to another location, to prevent excessive stress on the cabinet, all files
must be removed from the drawers and the drawers locked, if so equipped.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO OPEN BOTH DRAWERS AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE DAMAGE
TO THE FILE CABINET OR DRAWER INTERLOCK MECHANISM CAN OCCUR AND
CAUSE THE FILE CABINET TO BE UNSAFE. THE DRAWERS MUST BE FULLY CLOSED
FOR THE ANTI-TIP MECHANISM TO BE IN A 'NEUTRAL' POSITION AND ALLOW EITHER
DRAWER TO BE OPENED. SOME FILE CABINET MODELS ARE EQUIPPED WITH
KEY-LOCKS. IF NEITHER DRAWER WILL OPEN EASILY, MAKE SURE THE DRAWERS
ARE NOT KEY-LOCKED.
Leveling
These lateral file cabinets are equipped with levelers underneath the front corners which can
be adjusted enough to level most cabinets. When we refer to 'level' we are not necessarily
meaning exactly 'level to the world', but level within limits to allow proper function of the
drawers. The preferred tool to use would be a small bubble-type level if available, or for an
acceptable alternative see below. Various floor coverings also have differing effects on
set-up and long-term operation. For instance, if the file cabinet is placed on carpet, the
carpet probably has a tack strip underneath at the edge next to a wall, which will raise the
back of the file cabinet, which can cause the drawers to automatically try to open. This must
be corrected with the levelers under the front of the cabinet.
After moving the file cabinet to its final location in the room, check to see if the file cabinet is
level. Place the level left-to-right along the front edge of the cabinet. Very few floors will be
out-of-level enough in this direction to cause problems, but if necessary, tilt the file cabinet
back slightly and locate the levelers underneath the front corners and adjust as necessary.
Place the level on the top, near the middle of the cabinet, going front-to-back. Now, the front
the front than the back of the cabinet, to help hold the drawers shut when closed.
If a bubble level is not available, a suitable alternative is to use a round pen or pencil. Place
the pencil pointed front-to-back on the cabinet top. Push the pencil slightly one direction and
then the other. The pencil should not continue to roll left-to-right across the cabinet. Place
the pencil along the front edge, pushing the pencil slightly, it should continue to roll slowly
towards the back of the cabinet. The cabinet is now properly leveled.
File Cabinet Set-Up
Page 2 of 4
FURNITURE
Riverside
email: info@riverside-furniture.com
