BIFMA X5.6 Panel Systems – Association Ballot 2015

February 23, 2015
Michel Comtois
Furniture Testing

BIFMA recently published its association ballot for BIFMA X 5.6. The vote results were 12 affirmative, 0 negative and 1 abstention. BIFMA made an effort to harmonize BIFMA X5.6 with BIFMA X5.5 and BIFMA X5.9. Micom did vote yes to this new revision. BIFMA will have a final review session on June 3rd and since there is no negative vote; it should proceed swiftly with the ANSI Canvas which will yield a final standard. Please find below a test-by-test comparison between the current standard and the proposed revision. This comparison will highlight the changes and how they might impact your products from a testing stand point.

ANSI/BIFMA X 5.6-2010	Comparison	Rationale
5.1 – Force stability test	same	Same as before
5.2 – Impact stability test	same	Same as before
5.3 – Force Stability Test for Screens	Testing may be required	Feet/legs weight is now included in panel weight
6.2 – Panel system strength test – Static Functional Load	same	Editorial changes only
6.3 – Panel system strength test – Static Proof Load	same	Same as before
7 – Panel glide assembly strength test	Testing may be required	No change for panels glides. Normative annex added for legs independent from panel (taken from X5.5-2014 (desking))
8.1 – Primary surface concentrated functional load tests	No test required	Extendible elements load unchanged. Now only 2 largest ext. elements (used to be all) shall be opened during test. Wording added for interlock mechanism.
8.2 – Horizontal surface distributed functional load tests	No test required	Extendible elements load ratings unchanged. Now only 2 largest ext. elements (used to be all) shall be opened during test. Wording added for interlock mechanism.
8.3 – Primary surface concentrated proof load tests	Testing may be required If extendible members are present	Primary surface and extendible elements load same as previously. Now 2 largest ext. elements shall be opened (used to be all closed) during test.
8.4 – Horizontal surface distributed proof load tests	Testing may be required If extendible members are present	Primary surface and extendible elements load same as previously. Now 2 largest ext. elements shall be opened (used to be all closed) during test.
8.5 – Transaction surfaces torsional load test	same	Same as before
8.6 – Functional load test for panel mounted storage units – static	same	Same as before
8.7 – Proof load test for panel mounted storage units – static	same	Same as before
9.1 – Test for extendible element locks	No test required
9.2 – Force test for door locks	same	Same as before
10.1 – Top load ease cycle test (for primary surfaces)	Testing may be required	Tighter bag tolerances, nominal dimensions unchanged. If your testing was done at Micom you don’t need to re-test. If it was done somewhere else you should verify with your testing lab. A larger bag reduces the stress applied on the work surface.
10.2 – Cycle test for extendible elements deeper than wide	same	Editorial changes only. Wording added for ball bearing creep and reset
10.3 – Cycle test for extendible elements wider than deep	No test required	Editorial change (low height drawer) Harmonization with X5.5-2014: Wide pull is now defined as 18″ minimum in length as well as > 33% of extendible element width and wording added for ball bearing creep and reset
10.4 – Cycle test for center / pencil drawers	same	Harmonization with X5.5-2014: Test renamed for “Cycle test for Low Height Drawers” and wording added for ball bearing creep and reset
10.5 – Extendible element retention impact and durability tests	same	Editorial change only
10.6 – Rebound test	same	Editorial change only
10.7 – Locking mechanism cycle test	No test required	Wording added; unit should be tested unloaded
10.8 – Keyboard support and input device support adjustment tests	same	Editorial change only
10.9 – Work surface vertical adjustment test	Testing may be required	Wording changes Harmonization with X5.5-2014: Counterbalanced adjustment surfaces are now covered and special note added for electrically motor-driven systems recalibration. For each quartiles, loading sequence has changed, testing may apply for non-rectangular shaped work surface
11.2 – Strength test for Vertically Hinged Doors, Bi-Fold Doors and Vert. Receding doors	same	Editorial change only
11.3 Hinge Override Test for Vertically Hinged Doors	same	Editorial change only
11.4 Vertical Receding Doors Strength Tests	same	Editorial change only
11.5 Horizontal Receding Door Strength Test	same	Editorial change only
11.6 – Wear and fatigue test for hinged, horizontally sliding and tambour doors	No test required	Harmonization with X5.5-2014: Wide pull is now defined as 18″ minimum in length as well as > 33% of door width. Vertical doors with wide pull have a different “Cycles @ Location” definition
11.7 – Wear and fatigue test for vertical receding door	same	Editorial changes only. Wording added for ball bearing creep and reset
11.8 – Wear and fatigue test for horizontal receding door	No test required	Wide pull is now defined as 18″ minimum in length as well as > 33% of door width. Wording added for ball bearing creep and reset
11.9 – Vertical and Horizontal receding door out stop test – Cycling impact and durability	same	Editorial change only
11.10 – Slam closed test for vertically hinged doors	Testing may be required	Test name changed to “Slam closed test for vertically hinged and vertically receding doors” Door shelves shall now be loaded to conduct the test
11.11 – Drop cycle test for horizontally hinged doors	No test required	Test name changed to “Drop cycle test for horizontally hinged and horizontally receding doors” Door used to be dropped 500 times whereas it is now 200 times.
11.12 – Slam test for doors which free fall open or closed	same	Editorial change only
11.13 – Slam open and closed test for doors that do not free-fall	Testing required	Weight calculation and door travel changed for harmonization with X5.5-2014
11.14 – Door Latch Test	Same	Same as before
12.1 – Upward Force Static Disengagement Test for Panel Mounted Components	No test required	In order to conduct testing, the system used to be secured whereas it is not the case anymore
12.2 – Upward Force Impact Disengagement Test for Panel Mounted Components	No test required	In order to conduct testing, the system used to be secured whereas it is not the case anymore
13 – Pull force test	Testing may be required if wide pulls are present	Harmonization with X5.5-2014: wording added for extendible break-in period, reset for ball-bearing suspension. Wide Pulls shall now be tested on both sides whereas it used to be pulled in center only
14 – Wear and fatigue test for vertically hinged and horizontally sliding access door	New test	New test
15 – Slam open and closed test for sliding access doors	New test	New test
16 – Slam closed test for vertically hinged access doors	New test	New test
17 – Force test for access door lock	New test	New test
18 – Glass retention test for access doors	New test	New test

For more information about this new standard and our furniture testing services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Michel Comtois

My career has been focused on simulating real life in the lab under controlled yet accelerated conditions. My passion for lab testing lead me to start Micom Laboratories Inc. 16 years ago. Through time I made sure Micom has the necessary equipment to simulate various environmental parameters such as the sun, vibrations, heat, cold, thermal shocks and humidity. I wanted to be able to move things back and forth, apply stresses to the products and materials we test and see how they react to the various stimuli. To do so we test products and materials against known standards and specifications (certification) and in many cases by creating my own test protocols and specifications (this is the cherry on top of the sundae…). This is what led me to participate in many standards writing committees and to become chairman of some of these committees.

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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