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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
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

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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