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BIFMA X5.9 Association Ballot

BIFMA has been reviewing its “ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2012 – Storage Units – Tests” Standards.  BIFMA’s review process hit a new yardstick last Friday as it was the closing date for the association ballot on the standard draft.  You will find below our comments in the ballot we did submit. Essentially, our comments are editorial in nature since we participate in the committee’s writing activities and that our technical comments were addressed as the new draft was being reviewed.

The second table below is a test-by-test comparison between the current and the proposed draft standard.  This will hopefully help you follow where the standard is heading and how it might impact your products.  This review follows the revision of ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2014 for desk and table products as well as ANSI/BIFMA X5.6-2016 Panel Systems.  Anything could change, however we expect the approval process leading to a published standard to be completed within the next 12 months.

On another front CGSB recently published its CAN/CGSB 44.227 standard – Free-standing office desk/table, storage products and components and CAN/CGSB 44.229 standard – Interconnecting Panel Systems and Supported Components.

OUR BIFMA X5.9 ASSOCIATION BALLOT  COMMENTS

1 2 -3 4 5 -6
Commentor Clause No./

Subclause
No./

Annex

(e.g. 3.1)

 Paragraph/

Figure/Table/
Note

(e.g. Table 1)

 Type of comment1 Comment (justification for
change) by the Commentor		 Proposed change by the
Commentor
RC 2.5.2 3rd bullet te As per table 1, the clear
height shall be limited to 12”, not 18”.		 “In the case where there is
a unit bottom the maximum clear height value used for the clear space
calculation shall not exceed 305 mm (12 in.).”
RC 12.3 b) ed   Replace paragraph “x)” by “b)”
RC 13.3 d) ed Forces in English units
shall read “lbf”, not “lbs.”		 “Typically when forces
exceed 267 N [60 lbf.]”
RC P.68 Footnote 2   Forces in English units
shall read “lbf”, not “lbs.”		 “This force, which may be as
high as 50-60 lbf”
RC 15.2.2 a) ed Forces in English units
shall read “lbf”, not “lbs.”		 “Typically when forces
exceed 267 N [60 lbf.]”
RC 15.3.2 b) ed Forces in English units
shall read “lbf”, not “lbs.”		 “Typically when forces
exceed 267 N [60 lbf.]”
RC 17.7.3 Note ed Forces in English units
shall read “lbf”, not “lbs.”		 “Typically when forces
exceed 267 N [60 lbf.]”
RC 17.8.3 Note ed Forces in English units
shall read “lbf”, not “lbs.”		 “Typically when forces
exceed 267 N [60 lbf.]”

TEST-BY-TEST COMPARISON BETWEEN ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2012 AND BIFMA X5.9 ASSOCIATION BALLOT – OCTOBER 9, 2017

# test BIFMA X5.9 Association
Ballot – October 9, 2017		 Comparison Conclusion
  Title Protocol title is now  “Storage Units” Whereas it used to be “Storage Units –
Tests”		  
1 Scope Reference to “X5.3  Vertical Files – Tests” was removed  
2 Definitions More comprehensive language
for “Case” definition		  
2 Definitions New definition for Lateral
File and Vertical File		  
3.1.2 General New test category for  Stability tests  
3.1.4 General More comprehensive language
for worst-case scenario selection		  
3.5 Tolerances More comprehensive language
for tolerances		  
3.9 Cycles Rates Modified language for cycle  rates  
3.11 Temperature and Humidity Considerations More comprehensive language
for temperature and Humidity considerations		  
Table 1   Unit Bottom height is now
limited to 12″ whereas it used to be 18″		  
Table 1   New category for Video  Displays  
Table 2   Table 2 is now a loading
guide whereas it used to be the loading parameters for Video Displays		  
4 Functional Load Tests   4.2
& 4.3		 More comprehensive language
and figure added for irregular shaped units.		 Same test
No retest required
Proof Load Tests   4.4 & 4.5
 Test protocol now calls for  Proof Load on all surfaces while performing the Concentrated Proof Load test Different test protocol
Retesting required
4.6.3 Extendible Element Proof Load Tests Same as before Same test
No retest required
5 Leg/Glide Assembly Strength Test (no casters) Same as before Same test
No retest required
6 Racking Resistance Test (no casters) Test is now limited to units
weighing 600 lb. or less		 No retest required
7.1 Top Load Ease Cycle Test More specific language for  Extendible elements break-in period and  how extendible elements and surfaces shall be loaded during test.  Permitted use of force based cycling device Different test protocol
Retesting required
7.2 Drop test – Dynamic – for Units with Seat Surfaces More specific language for
how extendible elements and surfaces shall be loaded during test		 Different test protocol
Retesting required
7.3 Durability Test for Units with Seating Surface – Cyclic Impact More specific language for
how extendible elements and surfaces shall be loaded during test		 Different test protocol
Retesting required
8.1 Separation Test for Tall Storage Units with Vertically Attached
or  Stackable Components		 Wording correction: test
applies to units > 1062 mm (42 in.) high whereas height used to be
written 1219 mm (42 in.)		 If your lab works with
English units, no retest required.
If your lab works with Metric units retesting may be required.
8.2 Upward Impact Force Disengagement Test for Storage Units The unit shall withstand the
functional loads in the Acceptance level whereas it used to be the proof  loads		 Acceptance Level is easier  to comply
No retest required
8.3 Upward Force Static Disengagement Test for Wall Mounted Components Minor test title change
The unit shall withstand the functional loads in the Acceptance level whereas
it used to be the proof loads		 Acceptance Level is easier  to comply
No retest required
9.2 Horizontal Force Stability Test for Tall Storage Products
(>42″)		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
9.3 Stability Test for Type l Units with at least one Extendible Element Minor language change Same test
No retest required
9.4 Stability Test for Type I Storage Units with Multiple Ext elements Figure added to test
protocol		 Same test
No retest required
9.5 Stability Test for Type II Storage Units having extendible elements Same as before Same test
No retest required
9.6 Vertical Force Stability Test for Storage Units (for units >42
inches)		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
9.7 Stability Test for Pedestals/Storage Units with Seat Surfaces Test is now limited to units
< 38 inches high		 Same test
No retest required
9.8 Incline Stability Test New test
This test applies to units having a depth less than 10″ or extendible
elements without outstop		 New test
Test required for units units having a depth less than 10″ or extendible
elements without outstop
10 Storage Unit Drop Test (no type II, no casters) Minor language change Same test
No retest required
11 Movement Durability Test for Mobile Storage Units Tolerances added to
obstacles
Cycle rate range is extended 10 +2,-6 CPM whereas is used to be 10+2		 Different test protocol
retesting may be required.
Check with your lab
12 Extendible Element Rebound Test Test name changed to
Extendible Element Rebound Test whereas it used to be Rebound Test		 Same test
No retest required
13 Extendible Element Retention Impact and Durability (Out Stop) Tests Same as before Same test
No retest required
14.2  Force Test for Extendible
Element Locks		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
14.3  Force Test for Door Locks Same as before Same test
No retest required
14.4  Locking Mechanism Cycle Test
for All Locks		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
15.2  Cycle Tests for Extendible
Elements Deeper than Wide		 Minor language change. Test
now applies to extendible elements with equal width and depth dimensions		 Same test
No retest required
15.3 Cycle Tests for Extendible Elements Wider than Deep Wide pulls are now defined
as > 18″ whereas they used to be > 12″		 Test is easier to comply for  wide pulls < 18″
No retest required
15.4 Cycle Test for Low Height Drawers Used to be test 15.5 in
previous version		 Same test
No retest required
16 Interlock Strength Test Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.2 Strength Test for Vertically Hinged, Bi-fold, and Vertically Receding
Doors		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.3  Hinge Override Test for
Vertically Hinged Doors		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.4  Vertical Receding Doors
Strength Test		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.5  Horizontal Receding doors
Strength Test		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.6 Wear and Fatigue Tests for Hinged, Horizontally Sliding, and Tambour
Doors		 Wide pulls are now defined
as > 18″ whereas they used to be > 12″		 Test is easier to comply for  wide pulls < 18″
No retest required
17.7 Wear and fatigue test for vertical receding door Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.8 Wear and fatigue test for horizontal receding doors   Wide pulls are now defined
as > 18″ whereas they used to be > 12″		 Test is easier to comply for  wide pulls < 18″
No retest required
17.9 Vertical and Horizontal Receding Door Out Stop Test – Cyclic Impact
& Durability		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.10 Slam Closed Test for Vertically Hinged and Vertically Receding Doors Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.11 Drop Test for Horizontally Hinged and Horizontally Receding Doors –
Cyclic		 Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.12 Slam Test for Doors which Free Fall Open or Closed Same as before Same test
No retest required
17.13 Slam Open and Closed Test for Doors which Do Not Free Fall Same as before Same test
No retest required
18 Clothes Rails Static Loading Test Same as before Same test
No retest required
19 Latch Test Used be test 17.14 and
applicable to doors only.
Now applies to doors and extendible elements equipped with latch		 Retest is required for
extendible elements equipped with latch where the latch was not tested in
conjunction with the wear and fatigue test
20 Pull force test Minor language change Same test
No retest required
Dropped tests      
15.4 Horizontal Cycle Test for Television/Video Display Terminal Extendible
Elements		 Test dropped, video display
units are now covered by tests 15.2 and 15.3 depending on video display
dimensions.		 Retest required for video  display units (test #15)
Different test protocol
17.14 Door latch test Test was renamed to
“Latch test” in section 19		 No retest required for doors  equipped with latch
19 Swivel Cycle Test for Tel/Video Display Terminal Surfaces Test dropped  
Note 1: The statements made in this document are made on a general  basis strictly to help manufacturers and other interested parties to get an  overview of how this new standard’s version could potentially impact product
compliance requirements and status.   Re-testing may or may not be required on specific configurations
despite the statements made in the above document which only represent Micom  Laboratories Inc.’s opinion.  Specific  re-testing requirements should be based on a case-by-case analysis and cannot  be unilaterally decided strictly based on the statements made above; they  should be used strictly as general guidelines.  Whether re-testing needs to be performed  needs to be decided Manufacturers or their customers.

Learn more about Micom’s BIFMA testing services. If you have any questions about BIFMA testing, we invite you to contact us today. 

Disclaimer

All of the information and opinions  contained in this blog are made with the information, and the understanding  that we have reviewed at the time of publishing.  However, despite our  efforts, we do not offer any guarantee of their accuracy, thoroughness of our  investigation or validity. The author of this blog is not liable for any  inaccuracies or any losses or damages that may result from the use of the
information or data contained herein. This blog has not been reviewed or  verified for its accuracy by any peer group associates prior to publication.

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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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