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BIFMA X5.1 – 2015 Draft Association Ballot Review

BIFMA has been working for some time already on its new revision of BIFMA X5.1 and recently released its BIFMA X5.1 Association Ballot.  Members are to review, vote and if appropriate; comment on this new standard’s version by September 11th.  Micom will vote YES to this BIFMA X5.1 revision with a few comments.  You will find in the table below a test-by-test comparison between the current standard and the proposed revision as well as statement informing you of whether or not re-testing will likely be required.  Obviously our opinion is general in nature as it is not based on any specific chair model with specific features and a detailed product-by-product review.  As usual; we recommend to conduct a worst case scenario analysis to assess what needs to effectively be re-tested.  The most important change this standard brings is that it is now based on a 274 lbs. individual instead of 253 lbs.  This increased load basis obviously leads to higher loads and forces in some of the tests.

This standard follows the release of BIFMA X5.11 “- General Purpose Large Occupant Office Chairs Tests” in 2015.  This standard is meant for individuals having a corporal weight up to 400 lbs.  BIFMA will also release soon a “non-ANSI” standard for office chairs that should, eventually, replace the backrest durability tests; the “Fore and Aft test”.  This test will apply to both regular and large occupant office chairs.  We would have preferred for BIFMA to include this test in BIFMA X5.1 and X 5.11 immediately; however the committee decided otherwise (this will definitively be one of our comment for the ballot).  Indeed, since it will still be a BIFMA standard, chances are customers will start calling it up and eventually it will have to be done by default and Manufacturers might be caught doing the old backrest durability test to establish compliance to BIFMA X 5.1 and BIFMA X 5.11 while if it was included in both standards it would have replaced the backrest durability tests.

For more information about this test or other services we offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

No testing required if  your chair was tested at Micom

BIFMA X5.1-2015 Draft
Association Ballot

Comparison with
ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2011

Conclusion

1.  Scope

CAESAR database (2002) used  a 253 lb. individual (95th percentile male) for the test method whereas the  NHANES (2007-2010) study shows the 95th percentile male is now 274 lb. This  weight is now used for the development of the tests

Increased target weight  from 253 to 274 lbs

3.5 Measurements

Now both BIFMA Chair  Measuring Device (CMD) and ISO CMD are permitted for setup measurements  whereas  only the BIFMA CMD was allowed

 

3.6 Tolerances

More specific  requirements for calibration devices

 

5. Back  strength test (Type 1)

Loading device used to be  set at 90° from backrest at its back stop position whereas it is now set at  70°.

Functional / Proof loads  are reduced from 200/300 lbf. to  150/225 lbf.

Load application angle
changed;

Retesting required

6. Back  strength test (Type 2 & 3)

Loading device used to be  set at 90° from backrest at its back stop position whereas it is now set at  70°.

Functional / Proof loads  are reduced from 150/250 lbf. to  150/225 lbf.

Load application angle
changed;

Retesting required

Base  test

Test not mandatory  anymore, transferred is an informative annex

Test not mandatory
anymore;

No retesting

7. Drop  test   

Chairs with less than  1.75″ of cushioning material now have to be tested with a foam.

More specific acceptance level regarding the chair base center structure.

Loads and drop heights are unchanged.

Test number changed from 8 to 7

Acceptance level changed;

Retesting required

8. Swivel cycling test   

Seat load changed from  113 kg to 124 kg (250 to 274 lb.)

Test number changed from  9 to 8

Additional load on chair
during cycling;

Retesting required

9. Tilt  mechanism test

Seat load changed from  102 kg to 110kg (225 to 243 lb.)

Test number changed from 10 to 9

Additional load on chair
during cycling

Retesting required

10.3. Seating impact test

The drop height was  increased from 30 mm to 36 mm (1.2″ to 1.4″) which yields a higher
impact force on the seat.  Same test
bag mass as before.

Test number changed from 11.3 to 10.3

Higher drop height for
cycle test;

Retesting required

10.4. Front Corner  Load-Ease Test – Cyclic

Load is now increased  from 734N to 1028N (165 lbf to 231 lbf)

Test number changed from  11.4 to 10.4

Higher load for cycle  test;

Retesting required

11.3. Rear Stability test

More specific setup  wording for chairs with casters.

Template required for 1st disk positioning on chairs with gap greater than  48mm (1.9″) between seat and back.

Chairs which do not allow  the disk to settle evenly, may be tested with a foam on the seat

When loaded, tilting chairs (Type I & II) which do not move to the most  rearward position naturally should be manually moved in this position.

Test number changed from 12.3 to 11.3

Retesting required for  chairs with gaps between seat and back greater than 48mm while chair is  adjusted to least stable position

11.4.  Front Stability

More specific setup  wording for chairs with casters.

Testing procedure changed

Test number changed from  12.4 to 11.4

Changed test procedure;

Retesting required

12. Arm  strength test – Vertical  

Same as before

Test number changed from  13 to 12

No  Change

13. Arm  strength test – Horizontal

Same as before

Test number changed from
14 to 13

No  Change

14. Backrest durability (Type 1)

Load on seat changed from  225 lb. to 243 lb.

Same test procedure

Test number changed from  15 to 14

Higher load on seat  during cycle test;

Retesting required

15. Backrest durability (Type 2
& 3)

Load on seat changed from  225 lb. to 243 lb.

More specific wording for seat load setup.

Same test procedure

Test number changed from 16 to 15

Higher load on seat  during cycle test;

Retesting required

16. Caster/chair base
durability test

Load on seat changed from  250 lb. to 274 lb.

Obstacles thickness now vary with casters diameter.

For non-pedestal chairs, more specific wording for obstacles positioning.

Chairs with  casters/glides combination are now tested

Test number changed from 17 to 16

Higher load during cycle  test;

Retesting required

17. Leg strength test –  front application & side application

Side load application  changed, both legs should be tested individually and simultaneously

Test number changed from 18 to 17

Changed test procedure;

Retesting required

18. Footrest Static Load Test

Same as before

Test number changed from
19 to 18

No  change

19. Footrest durability cyclic

Same as before

Test number changed from  20 to 19

No  change

20. Arm  durability test

No testing required if  your chair was tested at Micom

21. Out Stop Tests for  Chairs with Manually Adjustable Seat Depth

Same as before

Test number changed from  22 to 21

No  change

22. Tablet Arm Static  Load Test

Same as before

Test number changed from  23 to 22

No  change

23. Tablet Arm Load Ease
Test – Cyclic

Load reduced from 77lb.
to 55lb.

Load used to be applied centered on the tablet. It is now positioned at
1″ from weakest point edges

Test number changed from 24 to 23

Load application point  calls for worst case location;

Retesting required

24.  Structural Durability test

New Test for side chairs

New  test;

Testing Required

Appendix A. Impact Test  Bag Construction Details

Reference to sand as a  bag loading media has been removed

No testing required if  your chair was tested at Micom

Michel Comtois

Michel Comtois is an accomplished founder and CEO of Micom Laboratories Inc., an ISO/IEC 17025 (2017) A2LA-accredited independent laboratory specializing in product and material testing services. Before establishing Micom Laboratories in 1999, Michel, who also holds a Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry, gained extensive experience over a 14-year tenure managing departments spanning physical chemistry, physics, mechanical and material testing in research and contract laboratories. This exposure granted him a profound understanding of the intricacies of development and material testing processes.

In addition to his practical experience, Michel has played influential roles on various voluntary technical committees. He notably, served as the chairperson for CAN/CGSB 44.227 and the Head of the Canadian Delegation for ISO TC 136. He also contributed to the following technical committees: CAN/CGSB 44.229, CAN/CGSB 44.232, ANSI/BIFMA X5.1, ANSI/BIFMA X5.5, ANSI/BIFMA X5.6, ANSI/BIFMA X 5.9 ANSI/BIFMA X5.11, ISTA Certification Council.

Leveraging his unique expertise, he has led Micom Laboratories to become a renowned name in its niche, now operating out of a 16,000-square-foot test facility in Montreal, Canada, and serving a diverse customer base with an array of material and product testing services. Follow Michel on LinkedIn

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