New ANSI/BIFMA X 5.9 Test Standard for Storage Units
(Released February 2019)
BIFMA has been updating its BIFMA X5.9 standard and recently released its ANSI approved standard last February. Please find in the table below a test-by-test comparison between the new / current standard and the previous version as well as statements informing you of whether or not re-testing will be required to maintain compliance to the standard. ANSI/BIFMA X5.3 has been withdrawn and has now been merged with X5.9. As can be seen below, the most significant changes were mainly applied to nine tests. It is not as drastic a change as it was at the last revision of BIFMA X 5.1.
| Section | BIFMA X5.9 2019 | Comparison | Conclusion |
| Title | Protocol title is now “Storage Units” Whereas it used to be “Storage Units – Tests” | ||
| 1 | Scope | Reference to “X5.3 Vertical Files – Tests” was removed | |
| 2 | Definitions | More comprehensive language for “Case” definition | |
| 2 | Definitions | Clear height is now limited to 12″ whereas it used to be 18″ for unit bottom | |
| 2 | Definitions | New definition for Lateral File and Vertical File | |
| 3.1.2 | General | New test category for Stability tests | |
| 3.1.4 | General | More comprehensive language for worst-case scenario selection | |
| 3.5 | Tolerances | More comprehensive language for tolerances | |
| 3.9 | Cycles Rates | Modified language for cycle rates | |
| 3.11 | Temperature and Humidity Considerations | More comprehensive language for temperature and Humidity considerations | |
| Table 1 | Unit Bottom height is now limited to 12″ whereas it used to be 18″ | ||
| Table 1 | New category for Video Displays | ||
| Table 2 | New loading guide table | ||
| 4.2 | Concentrated Functional Load Test | More comprehensive language and figure added for irregular shaped units. | Same test No re-test required |
| 4.3 | Distributed Functional Load Test | Test is now limited to units having a top area greater than 1000 in2 | Same test No re-test required |
| 4.4 | Concentrated Proof Load Test | Test protocol now calls for Proof Load on all surfaces while performing the Proof Load test | Test is more difficult to comply Re-testing required |
| 4.4 | Distributed Proof Load Test | Test is now limited to units having a top area greater than 1000 in2 Test protocol now calls for Proof Load on all surfaces while performing the Concentrated and Distributed Proof Load tests |
Test is more difficult to comply Re-testing required |
| 4.6.3 | Extendible Element Proof Load Tests | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 5 | Leg/Glide Assembly Strength Test | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 6 | Racking Resistance Test | Calculated load and unit weight (combined) is now limited to 600 lb. | No re-test required |
| 7.1 | Top Load Ease Cycle Test | Permitted use of force based cycling device | No re-test required |
| 7.2 | Drop test – Dynamic – for Units with Seat Surfaces | More specific language for how extendible elements and surfaces shall be loaded during test | Different test protocol Re-testing required |
| 7.3 | Durability Test for Units with Seating Surface – Cyclic Impact | More specific language for how extendible elements and surfaces shall be loaded during test | Different test protocol Re-testing required |
| 8.1 | Separation Test for Tall Storage Units with Vertically Attached or Stackable Components | More comprehensive definition of applicable products Wording correction: test applies to units > 1062 mm (42 in.) high whereas height used to be written 1219 mm (42 in.) Test protocol better defines how thin screens and narrow components should be impacted |
Test protocol is more restrictive No re-test required |
| 8.2 | Upward Impact Force Disengagement Test for Storage Components | The unit shall withstand the functional loads in the Acceptance level whereas it used to be the proof loads | Acceptance Level is easier to comply
No re-test required |
| 8.3 | Upward Force Static Disengagement Test for Wall Mounted Components | Minor test title change The unit shall withstand the functional loads in the Acceptance level whereas it used to be the proof loads |
Acceptance Level is easier to comply No re-test required |
| 9 | Stability Tests | More comprehensive testing considerations Stability tests no longer apply to units < 17,7″ high |
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| 9.2 | Horizontal Force Stability Test for Tall Storage Units without Extendible Elements | Test applies to units > 30″ high whereas it used to apply to units > 42″ Different calculation for unit bottom loading |
Different test protocol Re-testing required |
| 9.3 | Stability Test for Type l Units with at least one Extendible Element | Minor language change | Same test No re-test required |
| 9.4 | Stability Test for Type I Storage Units with Multiple Ext elements | Figure added to test protocol | Same test No re-test required |
| 9.5 | Stability Test for Type II Storage Units with extendible elements | No longer applies to units < 17,7″ high | No re-test required |
| 9.6 | Vertical Force Stability Test for Storage Units | The unit bottom shall now be tested unloaded whereas it used to be tested loaded Vertical force application point is now further away from the unit |
Test is more difficult to comply Re-testing required |
| 9.7 | Stability Test for Pedestals/Storage Units with Seat Surfaces | Test is now limited to units < 38″ and > 17,7″ high Vertical force is now applied to 3 locations whereas it used to be 4 locations |
Same test No re-test required |
| 10 | Storage Unit Drop Test (no type II, no casters) | Minor language change | Same test No re-test required |
| 11 | Movement Durability Test for Mobile Storage Units | Tolerances added to obstacles Cycle rate range is extended 10 +2,-6 CPM whereas is used to be 10+2 Language added for units having casters and glides combination |
Same test No re-test required |
| 12 | Extendible Element Rebound Test | Test name changed to “Extendible Element Rebound Test” whereas it used to be “Rebound Test” | Same test No re-test required |
| 13 | Extendible Element Retention Impact and Durability (Out Stop) Tests | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 14.2 | Force Test for Extendible Element Locks | Wide pulls are now defined as > 18″ whereas they used to be > 12″ | Test is easier to comply for pulls > 12″ and < 18″No retest required |
| 14.3 | Force Test for Door Locks | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 14.4 | Locking Mechanism Cycle Test | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 15.2 | Cycle Tests for Extendible Elements Deeper than Wide | Minor language change. Test now applies to extendible elements with equal width and depth dimensions. Stability test #9.4 no longer required prior and after testing |
Same test No re-test required |
| 15.3 | Cycle Tests for Extendible Elements Wider than Deep | Wide pulls are now defined as > 18″ whereas they used to be > 12″ Language added for “Multiple Pulls” configuration Stability test #9.4 no longer required prior and after testing |
Testing may be required for units equipped with multiple pulls |
| 15.4 | Cycle Test for Low Height Drawers | Used to be test #15.5 in previous version | Same test No re-test required |
| 16 | Interlock Strength Test | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 17.2 | Strength Test for Vertically Hinged, Bi-fold, and Vertically Receding Doors | Same as before | Same test No retest required |
| 17.3 | Hinge Override Test for Vertically Hinged Doors | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 17.4 | Vertical Receding Doors Strength Test | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 17.5 | Horizontal Receding doors Strength Test | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 17.6 | Wear and Fatigue Tests for Hinged, Horizontally Sliding, and Tambour Doors | Wide pulls are now defined as > 18″ whereas they used to be > 12″ | Test is easier to comply for pulls > 12″ and < 18″ No re-test required |
| 17.7 | Wear and fatigue test for vertical receding door | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 17.8 | Wear and fatigue test for horizontal receding doors | Wide pulls are now defined as > 18″ whereas they used to be > 12″ | Test is easier to comply for pulls > 12″ and < 18″ No re-test required |
| 17.9 | Vertical and Horizontal Receding Door Out Stop Test – Cyclic Impact & Durability | Same as before | Same test
No re-test required |
| 17.10 | Slam Closed Test for Vertically Hinged and Vertically Receding Doors | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 17.11 | Drop Test for Horizontally Hinged and Horizontally Receding Doors – Cyclic | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 17.12 | Slam Test for Doors which Free Fall Open or Closed | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 17.13 | Slam Open and Closed Test for Doors which Do Not Free Fall | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 18 | Clothes Rails Static Loading Test | Same as before | Same test No re-test required |
| 19 | Latch Test | Used be test #17.14 and applicable to doors only. Now applies to doors and extendible elements equipped with latch |
Test is required for extendible elements equipped with latch where the latch was not tested in conjunction with the “Extendible Element Cycle Test” from section 15 |
| 20 | Pull force test | Minor language change | Same test No re-test required |
| Drop tests | |||
| 15.4 | Horizontal Cycle Test for Television/Video Display Terminal Extendible Elements | Test dropped, video display units are now covered by tests 15.2 and 15.3 depending on video display dimensions. | Re-test required for video display units (test #15) Different test protocol |
| 17.14 | Door latch test | Test was renamed to “Latch test” in section 19 | No re-test required for doors equipped with latch |
| 19 | Swivel Cycle Test for Tel/Video Display Terminal Surfaces | Test dropped | |
| Note 1: The statements made in this document are made on a general basis strictly to help manufacturers and other interested parties to get an overview of how this new standard’s version could potentially impact product compliance requirements and status. Re-testing may or may not be required on specific configurations despite the statements made in the above document which only represent Micom Laboratories Inc.’s opinion. Specific re-testing requirements should be based on a case-by-case analysis and cannot be unilaterally decided strictly based on the statements made above; they should be used strictly as general guidelines. Whether re-testing needs to be performed needs to be decidedon by the manufacturers or their customers. | |||
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Disclaimer
All of the information and opinions contained in this blog are made with the information, and the understanding that we have reviewed at the time of publishing. However, despite our efforts, we do not offer any guarantee of their accuracy, thoroughness of our investigation or validity. The author of this blog is not liable for any inaccuracies or any losses or damages that may result from the use of the information or data contained herein. This blog has not been reviewed or verified for its accuracy by any peer group associates prior to publication.
