BIFMA X5.9
Storage Units
Micom offers BIFMA X5.9 testing as part of its Office Furniture Testing services. ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2012 – Storage Units – Tests – was released in July 2012. This standard provides a level plain field for evaluating the safety, durability and mechanical resistance of storage units used in office environments. This standard specifies acceptance levels to help ensure reasonable safety and performance of storage units with an estimated product life of ten years based on a single shift usage.
Typical products covered by this standard are:
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Bookcases
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Wardrobes
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Cabinets
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Wall-Mounted cabinets
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Freestanding pedestals
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Mobile pedestals
The types of tests to be employed to test to BIFMA X 5.9 are:
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Static load loading
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Dynamic loading
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Durability testing
Desk products should be tested to Bifma X5.5 whereas panel systems should be tested to Bifma X5.6. Seating products should be tested to either Bifma X5.1 or Bifma X5.4 depending of the features they offer.
Not all SKUs in your product line need to be tested in order to be able to comply to this standard; only worst-case scenarios need to be considered. Our experts will be happy to review your product offering and let you know which products ought to be tested and this service is free of charge!
Just in case your product has been tested before 2004; below is a test-by test comparison between the new and the previous version of the standard to give you a better understanding of what are the impacts of the new standard edition:
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# test |
ANSI/BIFMA X 5.9-2012 |
Re–Testing Required? (note 1) |
Rationale |
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4 |
Functional Load Test4.2 & 4.3 – Functional Load + 4.6.2 |
Required for units |
4.3.2 requires to perform pull force test without removing load from extendible elements. Other changes not requiring retesting: loads requirements for unit tops were changed to harmonize with X 5.5-2008. Height ranges also changed. |
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Proof Load Test 4.4 & 4.5 – Proof Load |
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4.6.3 |
Extendible Element Static Load Tests – Proof (4.6.3) < |