BIFMA X5.4
Sièges destinés aux salons et espaces publics
Dans le cadre des essais sur ameublement de bureau, Micom offre le service d’essai selon BIFMA X5.4. L’édition originale de la méthode ANSI/BIFMA X5.4 « Public and Lounge Seating » a été publiée en 1980 et a été rééditée à plusieurs reprises. L’édition actuellement en vigueur a été publiée en 2020. Cette norme s’applique aux sièges « lounge » qu’ils soient faits pour un ou plusieurs occupants, avec ou sans piédestal. BIFMA X5.4 est écrit pour mettre à l’essai les chaises dont l’occupant a une masse corporelle jusqu’à 275lbs, ce qui représente un homme du 95e percentile. Les essais ont été développés pour un produit dont la durée de vie est estimée à 10 ans, basé sur une utilisation continue durant un seul quart de travail. Les chaises de bureau régulière devraient être testées selon BIFMA X5.1. Nous offrons également les essais BIFMA X6.1, BIFMA X6.4, et BIFMA HCF 8.1 pour les chaises. Types d’essais à effectuer selon BIFMA X5.4 :
- Chargement statique (Static load loading)
- Chargement dynamique (Dynamic loading)
- Essais de surabilité (Durability testing)
La plupart du temps, les manufacturiers offrent pour une même famille de produits des sièges pour un et aussi pour plusieurs occupants. Toutes les configurations n’ont pas à être testées pour tous les essais. De façon générale, certains essais dont ceux de stabilité vont être effectués sur la configuration pour un occupant, et les autres essais vont être sur la configuration à usagers multiples qui s’avère être le pire cas au niveau structurel. La façon dont est déterminé le pire cas est par l’analyse de certains facteurs dont la construction, le plus long espacement non-supporté, etc. Nos experts se feront un plaisir de revoir sans frais votre offre de produit pour déterminer quels éléments doivent être testés et mettre sur pied un programme d’essai approprié. 28 essais sont disponibles sous BIFMA X5.4 afin de couvrir les différentes options retrouvées dans les sièges de type « lounge ». Tous les essais n’ont pas à être effectués sur toutes les chaises. La norme divise les chaises en 4 catégories et sont nommées « styles ». Ces « styles sont décrit ici-bas et s’appliquent autant aux chaises simple usager qu’aux multi-usagers:
- Style A: Avec bras et avec dossier (With arm(s) and with backrest)
- Style B: Avec bras et sans dossier (With arm(s) and without backrest)
- Style C: Sans bras et avec dossier (Without arms and with backrest)
- Style D: Sans bras et sans dossier (Without arms and without backrest)
Le tableau qui suit montre quels essais doivent être réalisés sur chacun des « styles » de chaises, autant pour les usagers uniques que multiples et dans la mesure où l’option à l’essai est disponible sur la chaise et que l’essai est applicable :
| Test # | Test | Style usager unique | Style usager multiple | ||||||
| A | B | C | D | A | B | C | D | ||
| 5 | Backrest Strength Test – Horizontal – Static | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 6 | Backrest Strength Test – Vertical – Static | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 7 | Backrest Durability Test – Horizontal – Cyclic | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 8 | Backrest Durability Test – Vertical – Cyclic | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 9 | Arm Strength Test – Horizontal – Static | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 10 | Arm Strength Test – Vertical – Static | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 11 | Arm Durability Test – Horizontal – Cyclic | X | X | ||||||
| 12 | Arm Durability Test – Vertical – Cyclic | X | X | ||||||
| 13 | Arm Durability Test – Angular – Cyclic | X | X | ||||||
| 14 | Seating Durability Test – Cyclic | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 15 | Drop Test – Dynamic | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 16 | Leg Strength Test – Front and Side Application | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 17 | Unit Drop Test – Dynamic | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 18 | Caster/Unit Base Durability Test – Cyclic | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 19 | Swivel Test – Cyclic | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 20 | Tilt Mechanism Test – Cyclic | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 21 | Stability Tests | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 22 | Tablet Arm Load Ease Test – Cyclic | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 23 | Tablet Arm Load Test – Static | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 24 | Structural Durability Test – Side-to-side – Cyclic | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 25 | Cycle Test for Recliners | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 26 | Legrest Strength Test | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 27 | Footrest Static Load | X | X | X | X | ||||
| 28 | Footrest Durability Test for Stools – Vertical | X | X | X | X | ||||
Au cas où votre produit aurait été testé sous l’édition 2012, le tableau qui suit offre une comparaison essai par essai entre la nouvelle et l’ancienne version de la norme afin de vous informer de quelle façon votre produit pourrait être impacté :
| Section # |
Section Title | Comparison | Conclusion |
| – | Title | Title is now “Public and Lounge Seating” instead of “Lounge and Public Seating – Tests” | No impact |
| 1 | Scope | -Scope now includes restaurant/dining/café settings, visitor seating in patient rooms, and folding chairs. -95th percentile male weight increased to 275lb from 253 lbs |
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2
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Definitions – backrest | Modified definition and included minimum height of 7.9 inch. | No retesting required: New definition narrows scope of applicable features |
| Definitions – folding chair | Added definition | No impact | |
| Definitions – general-purpose large occupant office chairs | Added definition | No impact | |
| Definitions – leg base | Added definition | No impact | |
| Definitions – legrest | Added definition | No impact | |
| Definitions – recliner | Added definition | No impact | |
| Definitions – stool | Added definition | No impact | |
| Definitions – tilt mechanism | Added definition | No impact | |
| Definitions – seat or seating position | When calculating number of seating positions width of seating surface now divided by 28″ (instead of 22.5″) and rounded to the nearest integer (instead of rounded down) | May require retesting: Units that were previously considered single-seaters may now be multi-seaters and vice-versa |
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| 3.1.3 | General – Testing Considerations | Added statement that if proof loads are held longer than 10 seconds and damage occurs, it is not considered a failure | No retesting required: Clarification is more lenient |
| 3.5 | General – Measurements | Added ISO 24496 CMD as an option | No retesting required: BIFMA CMD still valid |
| 3.6 | General – Tolerances | Added requirement for calibration of devices used to measure test parameters | May require retesting: If your lab’s calibration is not as stringent as new requirements |
| 3.9 | General – Test Environment | Added that sample should be stored in ambient conditions for at least 24 hours before testing. Conditions should be maintained between 15 to 27°C and 10-70% RH and if outside these limits they should be recorded | No retesting required: New limitations are suggestions |
| 3.11 | General – Appendices | Added distinction between Normative and Informative Appendices | May require retesting: See below |
| 5.1 | Backrest Strength Test – Horizontal – Static – Applicability | Added statement that test does not apply to recliners with user force activated back recline mechanisms unless backrest can be locked into position or stops at less than 35 degrees from the vertical. |
No retesting required:
New changes are less critical |
| 5.3.4 | Backrest Strength Test – Horizontal – Static – Test Setup | Limited multi-seat test for units with >2 seats to two adjacent positions. | |
| 5.4.2 | Backrest Strength Test – Horizontal – Static – Proof Load | Proof load now held for 10 seconds instead of 1 minute | |
| 6.3 | Backrest Strength Test – Vertical – Static – Test Setup | Limited multi-seat test for units with >2 seats to two adjacent positions. | No resting required: Units where 3 or more seating positions were previously tested concurrently are worst case |
| 6.4.2 | Backrest Strength Test – Vertical – Static – Proof Load | Proof load now held for 10 seconds instead of 1 minute | No resting required: 1 min proof load more critical than 10 seconds |
| 7.3.4 | Backrest Durability Test – Horizontal – Cyclic – Test Setup | Limited multi-seat test for units with >2 seats to two adjacent positions. |
Retest required:
Increased load on seat makes the test more severe |
| 7.3.6 | Backrest Durability Test – Horizontal – Cyclic – Test Setup | Load on seat increased to 240 lbs from 225 lbs. | |
| 8.3 | Backrest Durability Test – Vertical – Cyclic | Limited multi-seat test for units with >2 seats to two adjacent positions. | No resting required: Units where 3 or more seating positions were previously tested concurrently are worst case |
| 9.4.2 | Arm Strength Test – Horizontal – Static – Proof Load | Proof load now held for 10 seconds instead of 1 minute | No resting required: 1 min proof load more critical than 10 seconds |
| 10.4.2 | Arm Strength Test – Vertical – Static – Proof Load | Proof load now held for 10 seconds instead of 1 minute |
May require retesting:
Units with height-adjustable arms need to be re-evaluated |
| 10.5.2 | Arm Strength Test – Vertical – Static – Acceptance Level | Sudden drop of 1 inch on height-adjustable arms is no longer acceptable during proof loading. | |
| 14.3 | Seating Durability Tests – Cyclic – Test Setup | -Drop height increased to 1.4 from 1.2. -Weight applied on all other seats increased to 240 lbs from 225 lbs. |
Retest required:
Increased drop height and load on seat make the test more severe |
| 14.4 | Seating Durability Tests – Cyclic – Test Procedure | Limited number of identical seating positions to be evaluated (minimum two). | |
| 15.3 | Drop Test – Dynamic – Test Setup | -Added requirement that any center columns not to touch the test platform during functional load. -Added note that casters shall be placed in worst-case position. |
May require retesting:
Units with center columns tested in contact with the ground and/or units with casters not tested in the worst case position require retesting |
| 15.4 | Drop Test – Dynamic – Test Procedures | Limited number of identical seating positions to be evaluated (minimum two) for both functional and proof load. | |
| 16.1 | Leg Strength Test – Front and Side – Applicability | Test is no longer applicable to folding chairs without locking mechanisms. |
No retesting required:
Test scope reduced, allows greater flexibility for testing, proof load now limited and applied for less time |
| 16.3.1 & 16.4.1 | Leg Strength Test – Front and Side – Test Setup | Restraining device may now be used to prevent unit from overturning. | |
| 16.3.2.2 & 16.4.2.2 | Leg Strength Test – Front and Side – Test Procedure – Proof Load | -Proof load now limited to 150 lbf. -Proof load now held for 10 seconds instead of 1 minute |
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| 17.1 | Unit Drop Test – Dynamic – Applicability | -Test is no longer applicable to units with casters. -Units to be combined with other units to be tested in combined configuration. |
May require retesting: Combined units that were not tested together will require retesting |
| 18.1.3 & 18.2.3 | Caster/Unit Base Durability Test – Cyclic – Test Setup | Load on unit increased to 270 lbs from 250 lbs. | Retesting required: Increased load on unit makes test more severe |
| 19.3 | Swivel Test – Cyclic – Test Setup | -Load on seat increased to 270lbs from 250lbs. -Added clarification regarding “return-to-center” mechanisms. |
Retesting required: Increased load on unit makes test more severe |
| 20.1 | Tilt/rocker/glider Mechanism Test – Cyclic – Applicability | Clarified that test applies to units with rocker or glider mechanisms but not to curved bottom rocking chairs or reclining mechanisms (see new test #25) |
Retesting required:
Increased load on unit makes test more severe |
| 20.3 | Tilt/rocker/glider Mechanism Test – Cyclic – Test Setup | Load on seat increased to 240 lbs from 225 lbs. | |
| 21.1 | Stability Tests – Applicability | -Now only applicable to units with backrests >7.9inch high -Individual segments of ganged units tested individually unless otherwise specified by manufacturer. |
May require retesting: Ganged units that were not tested this way may require retesting |
| 21.3.1 | Rear-Stability for Non-tilting Units – Test Setup | -Added additional guidance for units with casters and rotating units. -Glides now adjusted to midpoint rather than worst case position. -Added additional guidance for disk positioning. -Force now applied 0.25 inch from the top disk instead of 0.24 inch. |
No retesting required: Changes make test less severe |
| 21.4 | Rear-Stability for Tilting Units | Added note to clarify that test is applicable to recliners. | May require retesting: If recliners were not previously tested |
| 21.4.1 | Rear-Stability for Tilting Units – Test Setup | -Glides now adjusted to midpoint rather than worst case position. -Use of new template to locate position of disks on the unit. |
Retesting required:
Changes result in a slightly different test method. |
| 21.4.2 | Rear-Stability for Tilting Units – Test Procedure | Test procedure modified to be more in-line with BIFMA X5.1. | |
| 21.5 | Front Stability for Units <80 lbs | New test procedure for units<80lbs more in-line with BIFMA X5.1. | May require retesting: Units <80 lbs will need to be retested. |
| 21.6 | Front Stability for Units ≥80 lbs | Added note to clarify that test is applicable to units/recliners without legrests or with retracted legrests. |
May require retesting:
If recliners not tested as described |
| 21.6.1 | Front Stability for Units ≥80 lbs – Test Setup | -Glides now adjusted to midpoint rather than worst case position. -Added statement that recliner legrests shall be retracted. |
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| 21.6.2 | Front Stability for Units ≥80 lbs – Test Procedure | A fixed force of 32 lbf now applied to all units rather than force required to transfer unit weight to front legs. | |
| 22.3 | Tablet Arm Load Ease – Test Setup | -Load decreased to 55 lbs from 77 lbs. -Load application point is now 1 inch from edge instead of tablet center. |
May require retesting: Configuration of the tablet arm may make the new test setup more severe, even with decreased load. |
| 24 | Structural Durability Test – Side-to-Side – Cyclic | New test similar to the one in BIFMA X5.1. | May require retesting: If this test is applicable to the unit it must be done |
| 25 | Cycle Test for Recliners – Backrest and/or Legrest Mechanism Durability | New test. | May require retesting: Recliners need to be tested |
| 26 | Legrest Strength Test – Static Load | New test. | May require retesting: Recliners with integral legrests need to be tested |
| 27 | Footrest Static Load Test for Stools – Vertical | New test. | May require retesting: Stools with legrests need to be tested |
| 28 | Footrest Durability Test for Stools – Vertical – Cyclic | New test. | May require retesting: Stools with legrests need to be tested |
| Appendix A | Impact Test Bag Construction | Sand removed as possible fill media. | May require retesting: If your lab uses sand in their impact bags |
| Appendix B | Stability Disk Construction Details | Added informative text for clarification. | No retesting required: Intent of the Appendix is unchanged |
| Appendix C | Front Stability Load Locator Fixture | New appendix (informative). |
No retesting required:
Informative Appendices |
| Appendix D | Weight Loads/Ratings | New appendix (informative). | |
| Appendix E | Recliner Pinch Point Cautions | New appendix (informative). | |
| Appendix F | Example of a Recliner Cycle Test Fixture | New appendix (informative). | |
| Appendix G | Recliner Front Stability with Legrest Extended | New appendix (informative). | |
| Appendix H | Figure of Leg-Base Chair | New appendix (informative). | |
| Appendix I | Template for Rear Stability | New appendix, Normative | Retesting required: see rear-stability above |
| Appendix J | Summary of Changes | New appendix (informative). |
No retesting required:
Informative Appendices |
| Appendix K | Guidance for Seating Units or Tables with Privacy Screens | New appendix (informative). | |
| Appendix L | Guidance for Seating Flammability | New appendix (informative). | |
| Appendix M | Structural Durability Test – Front-to-Back – Cyclic | New appendix (informative). | |
| Appendix N | Guide for Seating Positions for Non-linear Multiple Seating Units | New appendix (informative). |
BIFMA X5.4 Test #8
La vidéo ci-dessous porte sur le test #8 de la norme BIFMA X5.4 qui évalue la durabilité d’un dossier de canapé utilisé dans des lieux publics à une force appliquée verticalement.
BIFMA X5.5 Test #23
La vidéo suivante concerne le test #14.3 de la norme BIFMA X5.4 qui évalue la durabilité de l’assise d’une pièce de mobilier, comme un sofa par exemple, utilisée dans un lieu public.
Autres méthodes d’essai qui pourraient vous intéresser :
Pour voir d’autres méthodes d’essai en lien avec BIFMA X5.4, veuillez consulter les Essais BIFMA. Pour les sièges pour personnes corpulantes, BIFMA X5.41 (siège public et lounge) et BIFMA X5.11 (chaises de bureau) devraient être utilisés. Les produits de bureaux devraient être testés selon BIFMA X5.5, les systèmes à panneaux selon BIFMA X5.6, les unités de storage selon BIFMA X5.9, sièges éducatifs selon BIFMA X6.1, et sièges à usage occasionnel selon BIFMA X6.4. Finalement, pour les chaises d’appoints vendues aux établissements de santé, les manufacturiers devraient considérer BIFMA HCF 8.1 pour les lignes directrices de propreté de la surface.