BIFMA X5.4

Lounge & Public Seating

Micom offers BIFMA X5.4 testing as part of its Office Furniture Testing services.  ANSI/ BIFMA X5.4 Public and Lounge Seating – was initially released in 1980 and since then went through multiple editions.  The current edition was published in 2020.  This standard is for lounge seating products having single or multiple seating positions, with or without pedestal bases. BIFMA X5.4 is for chairs designed for individuals with a corporal mass of up to 275 lbs which represents the 95th percentile male.  The tests were developed with an estimated product life of ten years based on a continuous single-shift usage. Regular office chairs should be tested to BIFMA X5.1. We also offer BIFMA X6.1, BIFMA X6.4, BIFMA HCF 8.1 testing for seating products.

 The types of tests to be employed to test to BIFMA X5.4 are:

• Static load loading
• Dynamic loading
• Durability testing

Usually, within a chair family, manufacturers will offer a single seating unit and also multiple-seating units. Not all sizes need to be tested for all tests. Typically some of the tests will be done on the single seating unit e.g.: Stability test and the other tests will be done on the multiple seating position unit deemed to be the structural worst-case scenario.  The product worst-case scenario will be established by considering factors such as construction, longest unsupported span, etc.  Our experts will be happy to review your product offering and let you know which products ought to be tested and this service is free of charge!

BIFMA X5.4 has 28 tests and covers lounge seating products offering different features. Not all tests need to be done on all chairs. There are four chair categories referred to in the standard as chair “styles”. These styles are as follows and apply to both single and multiple seating configurations:

• Style A: With arm(s) and with backrest
• Style B: With arm(s) and without backrest
• Style C: Without arms and with backrest
• Style D: Without arms and without backrest

 The table below shows which tests need to be done on which chair style, for single and multiple seating configurations and as long as the feature tested is available and the test applicable: