Furniture testing - Office furniture

Micom can help you assess the durability of a wide range of office furniture. From chairs, desks, panel systems to storage units, our expertise in the field of furniture testing makes us a choice partner in the evaluation of your products. Most Canadian and American purchasing authorities accept our results.

We make it a point of contributing to the development of the office furniture testing standards and actively participate in the development of the BIFMA standards. We also sit on the CGSB committee that issues the CAN/CGSB standards pertaining to the evaluation of furniture and furniture testing.

Frequently asked questions:

Why would I want to test my product?
What standards are used to test office furniture?
What is the process for having my product tested?
Do I need to test everything?
My furniture isn't standard office furniture. Can I still get it tested?

Why would I want to test my product?

More often than not, you will want to have your office furniture tested in order to be able to bid on a government or similar large contract. If you are developing a new product, testing it prior to its launch may save you the cost and trouble of recalling or fixing defective items. In matters of liability and security, testing your furniture according to a widely recognized, albeit voluntary, standard can help mitigate the case by demonstrating that measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the unit.

What standards are used to test office furniture?

The most common standards used, in Canada and the United States are the BIFMA standard. BIFMA is the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association. When applying for a Canadian NMSO or QPL, these standards will be called up in the applicable CAN/CGSB standard or GPD.

Here is a table detailing the ANSI/BIFMA standards required by each CAN/CGSb and GPD specification.

Government document	Product	ANSI/BIFMA (current)
Can/CGSB 44.227	Freestanding Furniture	X5.5-1998
Can/CGSB 44.229	Panel system	X5.6-2003
CAN/CGSB 44.232	Task chair	X5.1-2002
GPD-2	Desking system	X5.5-1998
GPD-6	Side chair	X5.1-2002
GPD-10	Metal filing & storage	X5.3-1997 or X5.9-2004
GPD-12	Cafeteria seating	X5.1-2002
GPD-13	Lounge seating	X5.4-2005

The following is a ,ore exhausitve list of office furniture testing standards we use (excluding the finish testing standards such as ASTM D-3363)

ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2002: Office Chairs
ANSI/BIFMA X5.2-1997: Lateral Files (Now obsolete and replaced by 5.9)
ANSI/BIFMA X5.3-1997:Vertical Files
ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2005: Lounge Seating
ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-1998: Desk Products
ANSI/BIFMA X5.6-2003: Panel Systems
ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2004: Storage Units
ANSI/SOHO S6.5-2001: Home office, small office furniture

What is the process for having my product tested?

We do our best to simplify the furniture testing process. The best way to proceed is to send us your detailed price list (or any similar document which contains all units and unit sizes). We will then discuss with you what units are to be qualified, or which sections should be omitted. For example, you might want your desks to be tested, but not you conference tables, or vice-versa. We will then ask you a few questions on the construction of your units. A quote is then prepared and submitted. Once an agreement has been reached, you will receive the bill of material and test plan.

Once testing has begun, on large projects, you will receive a weekly update. If any failures occur, you will be advised by phone and/or email on the same day. Pictures of the failures, when appropriate, are sent, at no extra charge. Resolution of the failure can then proceed. We also have video capabilities. With our web cam, you can ask to witness a critical test, or receive more information on a failure from the comfort of your office with the ease of using your web browser.
Once testing has been completed, test reports will be issued and sent by mail. Electronic PDF versions are available upon request. You will then have the choice of recuperating your test samples or having us dispose of them.

Do I need to test everything?

No, office furniture testing, according to the BIFMA standards, allows for worst-case testing only. This means that only a few sizes and models of each type of unit (desk, table, storage) need to be tested to qualify. the whole.

My furniture isn't standard office furniture. Can I still get it tested?

Yes, the BIFMA standards are usually applicable, regardless of the specifics of the construction. Theses are the products covered by BIFMA standards.