BIFMA X6.4
Occasional Use Seating
ANSI/BIFMA X6.4 Occasional Use Seating was released in May 2018 and replaces the original version, which was released in 2012. Micom offers BIFMA X6.4 testing as part of its Office Furniture Testing services. This standard covers seating products used in indoor spaces such as waiting, reception, or gathering areas. It does not address office chairs (BIFMA X5.1 or BIFMA X5.11) or seating used in high-use public areas (BIFMA X5.4). BIFMA X6.4 is designed for individuals with a corporal mass of up to 275 lbs which represents the 95th percentile male. The tests were developed with an estimated product life of five years based on a continuous single-shift usage.
BIFMA X6.4 has 17 tests and covers four styles of seating units that apply to both single and multiple seating configurations:
- Style A: with arm(s) and with backrest
- Style B: with arm(s) and without backrest
- Style C: without arms and with backrest
- Style D: without arms and without backrest
Not all tests need to be done on all units. The table below shows which tests need to be done on which chair style as long as the feature tested is available and the test applicable:
| Test # | Test Description | Single Seating Style | Multiple Seating Style | ||||||
| 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 | X | X | ||
| 21 | Stability Tests | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
BIFMA X6.4 vs BIFMA X5.1 and BIFMA X5.4 comparison table
BIFMA X6.4 is similar to both BIFMA X5.1 and BIFMA X5.4. The table below compares the released versions of all three standards.
| ANSI/BIFMA X6.4-2018 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2017 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 | Comparison | Conclusion |
| 1. Scope: Tests developed with an estimated 5 year product life based on a single shift use with a 275 lb individual | 1. Scope: Tests developed with an estimated 10 year product life based on a single shift use with a 275 lb individual | 1. Scope: Tests developed with an estimated 10 year product life based on a single shift use with a 253 lb individual | X6.4 and X5.1 have the same user weights but X5.1 is developed for a longer product life. X5.4 has a slightly lower user weight | |
| 5. Backrest Strength Test Horizontal Functional Load: 150 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 225 lbf, 10 secs |
6. Back strength test (Type III) Functional Load: 150 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 225 lbf, 1 minute |
5. Backrest Strength Test Horizontal Functional Load: 150 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 225 lbf, 1 minute |
Loads are all the same. X5.1 & X5.4 proof loads held for 1 min instead of 10 secons | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.4 |
| 6. Backrest Strength Test Vertical Functional Load: 200 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 300 lbf, 10 secs |
N/A | 6. Backrest Strength Test Vertical Functional Load: 200 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 300 lbf, 1 minute |
Loads are the same in X5.4 & X6.4. Proof load held for longer in X5.4. No such test in X5.1. | X5.4 covers X6.4 |
| 7. Backrest Durability Test – Horizontal – Cyclic Load on seat: 240 lbs Horizontal force on the backrest: 75 lbf # of cycles: 60,000 |
15. Backrest durability (Type II & III) Load on the seat: 240 lbs Horizontal force on the backrest: 75 lbf # of cycles: 120,000 |
7. Backrest Durability Test – Horizontal – Cyclic Load on seat: 225 lbs Horizontal force on the backrest: 75 lbf # of cycles: 120,000 |
X6.4 & X5.1 have the same load on seat, but X6.4 has half the cycles. Load on the seat of X5.4 is less than the others. | X5.1 covers X5.4 & X6.4 |
| 8. Backrest Durability Test – Veritcal – Cyclic Vertical force on the backrest: 200 lbf # of cycles: 5,000 |
N/A | 8. Backrest Durability Test – Veritcal – Cyclic Vertical force on the backrest: 200 lbf # of cycles: 10,000 |
Loads are the same in X5.4 & X6.4. Number of cycles higher in X5.4. No such test in X5.1. | X5.4 covers X6.4 |
| 9. Arm Strength Test – Horizontal Functional Load: -Dist. Btwn armrests < 35 in: 100 lbf, 1 min -Dist. Btwn armrests ≥ 35 in: 133 lbf, 1 min Proof Load: -Dist. Btwn armrests < 35 in: 150 lbf, 10 secs -Dist. Btwn armrests ≥ 35 in: 200 lbf, 10 secs |
13. Arm strength test – Horizontal Functional Load: 100 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 150 lbf, 1 minute |
9. Arm Strength Test – Horizontal Functional Load: -Dist. Btwn armrests < 35 in: 100 lbf, 1 min -Dist. Btwn armrests ≥ 35 in: 133 lbf, 1 min Proof Load: -Dist. Btwn armrests < 35 in: 150 lbf, 1 min -Dist. Btwn armrests ≥ 35 in: 200 lbf, 1 min |
Load changes based on distance between armrests in X5.4 & X6.4 but always the same or higher than 5.1. Proof load in X5.1 & X5.4 is held for 1 minute in lieu of 10 seconds in X6.4 | X5.4 covers X5.1 & X6.4 |
| 10. Arm Strength Test – Vertical Functional Load: -Armrest width >3in: 200 lbf, 1 min -Armrest width≤3 in: 169 lbf, 1 min Proof Load: -Armrest width >3in: 300 lbf, 10 secs -Armrest width≤3 in: 253 lbf, 10 secs |
12. Arm strength test – Vertical Functional Load: 169 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 253 lbf, 1 minute |
10. Arm Strength Test – Vertical Functional Load: -Armrest width >3in: 200 lbf, 1 min -Armrest width≤3 in: 169 lbf, 1 min Proof Load: -Armrest width >3in: 300 lbf, 1 min -Armrest width≤3 in: 253 lbf, 1 min |
Load changes based on armrest width in X5.4 & X6.4 but always the same or higher than 5.1. Proof load in X5.1 & X5.4 is held for 1 minute in lieu of 10 seconds in X6.4 | X5.4 covers X5.1 & X6.4 |
| ANSI/BIFMA X6.4-2018 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2017 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 | Comparison | Conclusion |
| 11. Arm Durability Test for Multiple Seat Units – Horizontal – Cyclic Load applied:100 lbf # of cycles: 25,000 |
N/A | 11. Arm Durability Test for Multiple Seat Units – Horizontal – Cyclic Load applied:100 lbf # of cycles: 50,000 |
Loads are the same in X5.4 & X6.4. Number of cycles higher in X5.4. No such test in X5.1. | X5.4 covers X6.4 |
| 12. Arm Durability Test for Multiple Seat Units – Vertical – Cyclic Load applied:150 lbf # of cycles: 5,000 |
N/A | 12. Arm Durability Test for Multiple Seat Units – Vertical – Cyclic Load applied:150 lbf # of cycles: 10,000 |
Loads are the same in X5.4 & X6.4. Number of cycles higher in X5.4. No such test in X5.1. | X5.4 covers X6.4 |
| 13. Arm durability test – Angular – Cyclic Load applied: 90 lbf per arm # of cycles: 30,000 |
20. Arm durability test – Cyclic Load applied: 90 lbf per arm # of cycles: 60,000 |
13. Arm durability test – Angular – Cyclic Load applied: 90 lbf per arm # of cycles: 60,000 |
Loads are all the same. Number of cycles higher in X5.1 & X5.4. | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.4 |
| 14. Seating Durability Tests – Cyclic Bag: 16″ Diameter Drop height: 1.4″ Bag Weight: 125 lbs; 240 lbs on other seats # of cycles: 50,000 cycles |
10.3. Seating impact test Bag Diameter: 16″ Drop height: 1.4″ Bag Weight: 125 lbs # of cycles: 100,000 |
14. Seating Durability Tests – Cyclic Bag: 16″ Diameter Drop height: 1.2″ Bag Weight: 125 lbs; 225 lbs on other seats # of cycles: 100,000 |
All tests different | X5.1 covers X5.4 & X6.4 for single-seat units. |
| 15. Drop Test – Dynamic Bag: 16″ diameter Drop height: 6″ Functional Load: 225 lbs Proof Load: 300 lbs Load on other seats: 240 lbs |
7. Drop test Bag: 16″ diameter Drop Height: 6″ Functional Load: 225 lbs Proof Load: 300 lbs |
15. Drop Test – Dynamic Bag: 16″ diameter Drop height: 6″ Functional Load: 225 lbs Proof Load: 300 lbs Load on other seats: 225 lbs |
Load on other seats lower in X5.4 than X6.4. | X5.1 covers X5.4 & X6.4 for single-seat units. X6.4 covers X5.4 for mulitple seat units. |
| 16. Leg Strength Test – Front and Side Application Functional Load: 75 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 113 lbf, 10 secs |
17. Leg strength test – Front and Side Application Functional Load: 75 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 113 lbf, 1 minute |
16. Leg Strength Test – Front and Side Application Functional Load: 75 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 113 lbf, 1 minute |
Loads are all the same. However, the Proof Load is maintained for 10 seconds in X6.4 as compared to 60 seconds in X5.1 & X5.4 | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.4 |
| 17. Unit Drop Test Drop height based on unit weight |
N/A | 17. Unit Drop Test Drop height based on unit weight |
Same test in X6.4 & X5.4. No such test in X5.1 | X5.4 covers X6.4 |
| 18. Caster/Unit Base Durability Test – Cyclic Load on seat: 270 lbs # of cycles: 12.750 total |
16. Caster/chair base durability test Load on the seat: 270 lbs # of cycles: 100,000 total |
18. Caster/Unit Base Durability Test – Cyclic Load on seat: 250 lbs # of cycles: 25,500 total |
Loads are the same for X5.1 and X6.4. However, the number of cycles lower in X6.4. X5.4 has different loads and cycle counts. | X5.1 covers X5.4 & X6.4 |
| ANSI/BIFMA X6.4-2018 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2017 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 | Comparison | Conclusion |
| 19. Swivel Test – Cyclic Load on the Seat: 270 lbs # of cycles: 60,000 |
8. Swivel cycling test Load on the Seat: 270 lbs # of cycles: 120,000 |
19. Swivel Test – Cyclic Load on the Seat: 250 lbs # of cycles: 120,000 |
Same load in X5.1 and X6.4, however # of cycles lower in X6.4. Load lower in X5.4. | X5.1 covers X5.4 & X6.4 |
| 20. Tilt Rocker/Glider Mechanism test – Cyclic Load on the Seat: 240 lbs #of cycles: 100,000 |
9. Tilt mechanism test Load on the Seat: 240 lbs # of cycles: 300,000 cycles |
20. Tilt mechanism test – Cyclic Load on the Seat: 225 lbs #of cycles: 200,000 |
Same load in X5.1 and X6.4, however # of cycles lower in X6.4. Load lower in X5.4. | X5.1 covers X5.4 & X6.4 |
| 21.3 Rear Stability for Non-tilting Units 6 disks on the seat, horizontal force=1.1*(47-H) |
11.3.1 Rear Stability test for type III chairs 6 Disks on the seat, horizontal force = 1.1 (47-H) |
21.3 Rear Stability for Non-tilting Units 6 disks on the seat, horizontal force=1.1*(47-H) |
Same test in all 3 standards. | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.4. |
| 21.4 Rear Stability for Tilting Units 13 disks on seat |
11.3.2 Rear Stability test for type I & II chairs 13 Disks on the seat |
21.4 Rear Stability for Tilting Units 13 disks on seat |
Same test in all 3 standards. | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.4. |
| 21.5 Front Stability 40% of unit weight applied at 45° |
11.4. Front Stability 135 lbf vertical load on the seat |
21.5 Front Stability 40% of unit weight applied at 45° |
Same test for X5.4 and X6.4. X5.1 is a different test. | X5.4 covers X6.4 |
Note: At the time of publishing this web page, a draft of BIFMA X5.4 was released for association review and comments. One of the changes proposed was to increase the weight of the user to 275 lbs to be in line with BIFMA X5.1 and X6.4. In addition, the areas where this weight difference has caused less load to be applied (example: load applied on the other seats in test #14) will be increased and therefore we expect X5.4 to cover X6.4 for all tests.
Creating cost-effective test plans
When creating test plans, it is recommended to use a “worst case scenario” approach which minimizes both test and product costs; not all tests need to be done on all chairs. For example, some tests are considered “worst case” when performed on single seating units (ex: stability tests) and others on multiple seating units (ex: seating impact/durability tests). The product worst case scenario is established by considering factors such as construction, longest unsupported span, etc. Our experts will be happy to do this analysis FREE OF CHARGE for you; contact us now for more information.
Other related test methods:
For additional Furniture testing related test methods please see; BIFMA Testing, BIFMA X5.1, or BIFMA X5.4