BIFMA X5.1 – 2015 Draft Association Ballot Review
BIFMA has been working for some time already on its new revision of BIFMA X5.1 and recently released its BIFMA X5.1 Association Ballot. Members are to review, vote and if appropriate; comment on this new standard’s version by September 11th. Micom will vote YES to this BIFMA X5.1 revision with a few comments. You will find in the table below a test-by-test comparison between the current standard and the proposed revision as well as statement informing you of whether or not re-testing will likely be required. Obviously our opinion is general in nature as it is not based on any specific chair model with specific features and a detailed product-by-product review. As usual; we recommend to conduct a worst case scenario analysis to assess what needs to effectively be re-tested. The most important change this standard brings is that it is now based on a 274 lbs. individual instead of 253 lbs. This increased load basis obviously leads to higher loads and forces in some of the tests.
This standard follows the release of BIFMA X5.11 “- General Purpose Large Occupant Office Chairs Tests” in 2015. This standard is meant for individuals having a corporal weight up to 400 lbs. BIFMA will also release soon a “non-ANSI” standard for office chairs that should, eventually, replace the backrest durability tests; the “Fore and Aft test”. This test will apply to both regular and large occupant office chairs. We would have preferred for BIFMA to include this test in BIFMA X5.1 and X 5.11 immediately; however the committee decided otherwise (this will definitively be one of our comment for the ballot). Indeed, since it will still be a BIFMA standard, chances are customers will start calling it up and eventually it will have to be done by default and Manufacturers might be caught doing the old backrest durability test to establish compliance to BIFMA X 5.1 and BIFMA X 5.11 while if it was included in both standards it would have replaced the backrest durability tests.
For more information about this test or other services we offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
No testing required if your chair was tested at Micom
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BIFMA X5.1-2015 Draft |
Comparison with |
Conclusion |
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1. Scope |
CAESAR database (2002) used a 253 lb. individual (95th percentile male) for the test method whereas the NHANES (2007-2010) study shows the 95th percentile male is now 274 lb. This weight is now used for the development of the tests |
Increased target weight from 253 to 274 lbs |
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3.5 Measurements |
Now both BIFMA Chair Measuring Device (CMD) and ISO CMD are permitted for setup measurements whereas only the BIFMA CMD was allowed |
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3.6 Tolerances |
More specific requirements for calibration devices |
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5. Back strength test (Type 1) |
Loading device used to be set at 90° from backrest at its back stop position whereas it is now set at 70°. Functional / Proof loads are reduced from 200/300 lbf. to 150/225 lbf. |
Load application angle Retesting required |
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6. Back strength test (Type 2 & 3) |
Loading device used to be set at 90° from backrest at its back stop position whereas it is now set at 70°. Functional / Proof loads are reduced from 150/250 lbf. to 150/225 lbf. |
Load application angle Retesting required |
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Base test |
Test not mandatory anymore, transferred is an informative annex |
Test not mandatory No retesting |
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7. Drop test |
Chairs with less than 1.75″ of cushioning material now have to be tested with a foam. More specific acceptance level regarding the chair base center structure. Loads and drop heights are unchanged. Test number changed from 8 to 7 |
Acceptance level changed; Retesting required |
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8. Swivel cycling test |
Seat load changed from 113 kg to 124 kg (250 to 274 lb.) Test number changed from 9 to 8 |
Additional load on chair Retesting required |
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9. Tilt mechanism test |
Seat load changed from 102 kg to 110kg (225 to 243 lb.) Test number changed from 10 to 9 |
Additional load on chair Retesting required |
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10.3. Seating impact test |
The drop height was increased from 30 mm to 36 mm (1.2″ to 1.4″) which yields a higher Test number changed from 11.3 to 10.3 |
Higher drop height for Retesting required |
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10.4. Front Corner Load-Ease Test – Cyclic |
Load is now increased from 734N to 1028N (165 lbf to 231 lbf) Test number changed from 11.4 to 10.4 |
Higher load for cycle test; Retesting required |
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11.3. Rear Stability test |
More specific setup wording for chairs with casters. Template required for 1st disk positioning on chairs with gap greater than 48mm (1.9″) between seat and back. Chairs which do not allow the disk to settle evenly, may be tested with a foam on the seat When loaded, tilting chairs (Type I & II) which do not move to the most rearward position naturally should be manually moved in this position. Test number changed from 12.3 to 11.3 |
Retesting required for chairs with gaps between seat and back greater than 48mm while chair is adjusted to least stable position |
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11.4. Front Stability |
More specific setup wording for chairs with casters. Testing procedure changed Test number changed from 12.4 to 11.4 |
Changed test procedure; Retesting required |
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12. Arm strength test – Vertical |
Same as before Test number changed from 13 to 12 |
No Change |
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13. Arm strength test – Horizontal |
Same as before Test number changed from |
No Change |
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14. Backrest durability (Type 1) |
Load on seat changed from 225 lb. to 243 lb. Same test procedure Test number changed from 15 to 14 |
Higher load on seat during cycle test; Retesting required |
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15. Backrest durability (Type 2 |
Load on seat changed from 225 lb. to 243 lb. More specific wording for seat load setup. Same test procedure Test number changed from 16 to 15 |
Higher load on seat during cycle test; Retesting required |
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16. Caster/chair base |
Load on seat changed from 250 lb. to 274 lb. Obstacles thickness now vary with casters diameter. For non-pedestal chairs, more specific wording for obstacles positioning. Chairs with casters/glides combination are now tested Test number changed from 17 to 16 |
Higher load during cycle test; Retesting required |
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17. Leg strength test – front application & side application |
Side load application changed, both legs should be tested individually and simultaneously Test number changed from 18 to 17 |
Changed test procedure; Retesting required |
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18. Footrest Static Load Test |
Same as before Test number changed from |
No change |
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19. Footrest durability cyclic |
Same as before Test number changed from 20 to 19 |
No change |
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20. Arm durability test |
No testing required if your chair was tested at Micom |
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21. Out Stop Tests for Chairs with Manually Adjustable Seat Depth |
Same as before Test number changed from 22 to 21 |
No change |
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22. Tablet Arm Static Load Test |
Same as before Test number changed from 23 to 22 |
No change |
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23. Tablet Arm Load Ease |
Load reduced from 77lb. Load used to be applied centered on the tablet. It is now positioned at Test number changed from 24 to 23 |
Load application point calls for worst case location; Retesting required |
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24. Structural Durability test |
New Test for side chairs |
New test; Testing Required |
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Appendix A. Impact Test Bag Construction Details |
Reference to sand as a bag loading media has been removed |
No testing required if your chair was tested at Micom |
