Initial release: January 2007

New ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2006 Standard

Desk/Table Products

As you may know, a BIFMA committee has been working on a revision of the desk/table product for some time. The new version has not yet been approved by ANSI and is currently an association ballot draft.

The committee worked on improving the format of the standard, byclarifying procedure and making the tests more realistic compared to the foreseeable use and misuse of desks and tables in an office environnement.

Please find below a test-by-test comparison between this new standard and the previous X5.5-1998 standard.

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 5.5-2006 section #	ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-1998 section #	Major difference(s)
4.2 Stability with Extendible Elements Open Test	13.2 Stability with Extendible Elements Open Test	Editorial changes only.
4.3 Stability Under Vertical Load Test	13.3 Stability Under Vertical Load Test	Editorial changes only
4.4 Horizontal Stability Test for Desk/Tables with Casters	lll	New test. 25 lb load on the edge of the unit and a push of 10 lbf in line with the top.
4.5 Force Stability for Tall Desk/Table Products	23 Force Stability for Tall Desk/Table Products	Now applicable to adjustable height unit which can be adjusted above 42 in. but not to certain lightweight screens.
5 Unit Strength Test	4 Unit Static Load Test	Editorial changes only
6 Top load ease Test – Cyclic	5 Top Load Ease Test	Half the cycles (10 K instead of 20 K), some changes for adjustable table
7 Desk/Table Unit Drop test	11 Drop Test	Height of drop has been reduced. New criterion for leveller failure due to compression.
5 Leg Strength Test	12 Leg Strength Test	Duration (5 seconds) added for the application of the force. Proof load is no longer applied directly to the levellers but on the leg structure
9 Disengagement Test for Tall Desk/Table Product	24 Dislodgment Test for Tall Desk/Table Products	No longer applicable to lightweight screens.
10.2 Extendible Element Cycle Test Deeper than Wide	7.2 Cycle Test for Extendible Members Deeper than wide	Resetting interval of not less than 500 cycles added.
10.3 Extendible Element Cycle Test Wider than deep	7.3 Cycle Test for Extendible Members Wider Than Deep	Changes resetting interval to not less than 500 cycles
10.4 Cycle Test for Center/Pencil Drawers	7.4 Cycle Test for Center/Pencil Drawers	Resetting interval of not less than 500 cycles added.
11 Extendible Element Out Stop Test	8 Out Stop Test	Resetting interval of not less than 500 cycles added.
12 Rebound test	9 Rebound Test	Editorial changes only.
13 Interlock Test	16 Interlock test	Includes both an unloaded and loaded procedure (harmonized with X5.9-2004)
14.2 Force Test for Extendible Element Locks	6.2 Force Test for Extendible Member Locks	Editorial changes only.
14.3 Force Test for Door Locks	6.3 Force Test for Door Locks	Editorial changes only.
14.4 Locking Mechanism Cycle Test for All Locks	6.4 Locking Mechanism Cycle Test for All Locks	Editorial changes only.
15 Work Surface Vertical Adjustment Test	22.2 Vertical Adjustment Test	Operating force requirement for crank driven mechanisms (11.2 lbf) added.
16 Adjustment Tests for Adjustable Keyboard Surface and Input Device Supports	15 Adjustment Tests for Adjustable Keyboard Surface and Input Device Supports	Load of 5 lb for an input device support surface added (Harmonized with X5.6-2003)
17.2 Strength test for vertically hinged doors, Bi-Fold Doors and Vertically Receding Door	17.2 Strength test for vertically hinged doors	Lower load varying as a function of door height. (Harmonized with X5.9-2004)
17.3 Hinge Override Test for Vertically Hinged Doors	lll	New test from X5.9-2004 (13.5 lbf @ 4 inches from closing edge while door fully opened)
17.4 Vertically Receding Doors Strength Test	lll	New test from X5.9-2004 (18 lbf @ 4 inches from closing edge)
17.5 Horizontal Receding doors Strength Test	lll	New test from X5.9-2004 (18 lbf @ 1 inch from closing edge while door is inset)
17.6 Wear and Fatigue test for Hinged, Horizontal, Sliding and Tambour Doors	17.3 Wear and Fatigue Tests for All Hinged Doors	Takes into account the pull width. (Harmonized with X5.9-2004)
17.7 Wear and Fatigue test for Vertical Receding Door	18.3 Wear and Fatigue Test for Vertical Receding Door	Less cycles (10K instead of 20 K) (Harmonized with X5.9-2004)
17.8 Wear and Fatigue test for Horizontal Receding Doors	18.2 Cycling Test for Receding Door	Takes into account the pull width (Harmonized with X5.9-2004)
17.9 Vertical & Horizontal Receding Door Out Stop Test - Cyclic Impact	lll	New test for X5.5. Harmonized with X5.6-2003 and X5.9-2004
17.10 Slam Closed test Vertically Hinged and Vertically Receding doors	17.4 Slam Open/Closed Test For Vertically Hinged Doors	The door is now pulled inside instead of being pushed closed. Force is changed from 20 lbf to closing force + 4.5 lb. Harmonized with X5.9-2004.
17.11 Drop Cycle test for Horizontally Hinged and Horizontally Receding Doors	17.5 Drop Test for Horizontally Hinged Doors	Door is opened 85-90° instead of 60-65°, no additional force is required. 500 cycles instead of 10 000. Harmonized with X5.9-2004.
17.12 Slam test for doors which free fall open or closed	19.3 Slam Test for Doors which Free Fall Open or Closed	Editorial changes only
17.13 Slam Test for Doors That Do Not Free Fall	19.4 Slam Open and Closed Test for Doors which Do not Free Fall	Editorial changes only
17.14 Door latch test	20 Door Latch Test	Editorial changes only
18 Durability Test for Desks and Tables with Casters	21 Durability Test for Desks and Tables with Casters	Number of cycles change depending on weight. Light tables will now be cycled over obstructions.
19 Pull Force test	25 Pull Force Test	Editorial changes only