BIFMA X5.6 Panel Systems – Association Ballot 2015
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 |
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 |
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 |
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) |
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 |
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: |
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. |
11.9 – Vertical and Horizontal receding door out stop test – Cycling impact and |
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” |
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” |
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 |
No test |
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. |
14 – Wear and fatigue test for vertically hinged and horizontally sliding access |
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.
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.