Initial release: January 2007

New ANSI/BIFMA X5.7-2007 Standard

Vertical Files - Tests

As you may know, BIFMA has been working on updating the vertical file standard for some time. The proposed new standard for vertical files is currently waiting for ANSI approval. This new version harmonizes the standard with the related standard ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2004 for Storage Units. We trust this information will be of interest to you. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Regards,

Michel Comtois M.Sc.

President, Micom Laboratories Inc.

ANSI/BIFMA X 5.3-2007 section #	ANSI/BIFMA X5.3-1997 section #	Major difference(s)
1 Scope	1 Scope	Added an ISO 17025 requirements exception.
2 Definition	2 Definition	Added reference to PD-1 and removed definitions that would have been redundant with it.
3 General	3 General	Tolerance for test weights was increased from 2% to 5%. A table was added with the loading rate for ext. elements and unit top. This table is referred to in all section in lieu of specifying the loading rate.
4 Stability Test	4 Stability Test	Editorial changes only
5 Unit Strength Test	12 Strength Test	Totally reworked. Adapted from X5.9-2004.
6 Racking resistance test	11 Racking Resistance Test	Removed the measurement of the pull force prior to the racking.
7 Drop test	Nonet	New test. Harmonized with X5.9-2004.
8 Extendible Element Cycle Test	8 Extendible Element Cycle Test	Added Interlock and Stability requirements to the test. No provision for side pulls. Cycle rate changed from 10±2 to 12±4 cycles per minute. Added a resetting interval (no less than 500 cycles).
9 Interlock Test	14 Interlock Test	Added a section where the test is performed with the drawers loaded (as per X5.9-2004)
10 Rebound Test	5 Rebound Test	Removed the note specifying not to disable a latching mechanism.
11 Out Stop Test	6 Out Stop Test	Cycle rate changed from 10±2 to 14±6 cycles per minute. Added a resetting interval (no less than 500 cycles).
12.1 Force Test for Locks	7 Lock Test	Editorial changes only
12.2 Locking Mechanism Cycle Test	None	New test. Identical to the X5.9-2004 version of this test. Cycling the lock open and close at a rate of 14±6 cycles per minute.
13 Latch Test - Static	9 Latch Test, Static	Editorial changes only.
14 Compressor Test	10 Compressor Test	Editorial changes only.
15 Pull Force Test	153Pull Force Test	Changed from measuring the pull force in two phases (0 to 6 in. and 6 in to end) to one phase (0 to end). Harmonized with all other BIFMA standards.