BIFMA X6.1
ANSI/BIFMA X6.1 Educational Seating was released in April 2018 and replaces the original version, which was released in 2012. Micom offers BIFMA X6.1 testing as part of its Office Furniture Testing services. This standard covers seating products used in educational institutions from pre-school all the way to college and university. It does not address office chairs (BIFMA X5.1 or BIFMA X5.11) or seating used in high-use public areas (BIFMA X5.4). It covers users in 3 categories or “sizes”:
| Size A* | Size B* | Size C* | |
| Seat Height | <352mm (13.9 in) | ≥352mm (13.9 in) and <425mm (16.7 in) | ≥425mm (16.7 in) |
| User Weight | 34 kg (74 lbs) (95% Female, 6 years) | 91 kg (200 lbs) (95% Female, 12 years) | 125 kg (275 lbs) (95% Male, adult) |
*Height adjustable chairs shall be measured in the highest position for classification purposes. BIFMA X6.1 has 20 tests and covers three types of educational seating units:
- Fixed Seat Angle, Fixed Backrest Chair
- Chair Desk
- Convertible Bench Table
Not all tests need to be done on all units. The table below shows which tests need to be done on which chair type as long as the feature tested is available and the test applicable:
| Section Number | Description | Chair | Chair Desk | Conv. Bench/Table |
| 5 | Stability Tests | X | X | X |
| 6 | Backrest Strength Test – Static | X | X | X |
| 7 | Backrest Durability Test – Cyclic | X | X | X |
| 8 | Drop Test – Dynamic | X | X | X |
| 9 | Seat Static Loading Test (only if unable to perform Drop Test due to insufficient clearance) | X | X | |
| 10 | Seating Durability Tests – Cyclic | X | X | X |
| 11 | Arm Strength Test – Vertical – Static | X | ||
| 12 | Arm Strength Test – Horizontal – Static | X | ||
| 13 | Arm Durability Test – Angular – Static | X | ||
| 14 | Caster/Chair Base Durability Test – Cyclic | X | X | |
| 15 | Durability Test for Convertible Bench Tables with Casters | X | ||
| 16 | Leg Strength Test – Front and Side Application | X | X | X |
| 17 | Structural Member Strength Test | X | X | X |
| 18 | Swivel Test | X | ||
| 19 | Tablet Arm Test – Front Stability | X | ||
| 20 | Tablet Arm Test – Static | X | ||
| 21 | Tablet Arm Load Ease Test – Cyclic | X | ||
| 22 | Chair Desk and Table Top Horizontal Surface Vertical Load Tests | X | X | |
| 23 | Chair Desk and Convertible Bench Table Top Load Ease Test – Cyclic | X | X | |
| 24 | Static Loading of Storage (Backpack) Hooks & Unit Stability | X |
BIFMA X6.1 is similar to both BIFMA X5.1 and BIFMA X5.4. The table below compares the current versions of all three standards.
BIFMA X6.1 vs BIFMA X5.1 and BIFMA X5.5 comparison
| ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2018 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2017 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 | Comparison | Conclusion | |||
| 1. Scope: Tests developed with an estimated 10 years product life based on 6.5 to 8 hours/day use and 170-180 days/year. | 1. Scope: Tests developed with an estimated 10 years product life based on a single shift use with a 275 lb individual | 1. Scope: Tests developed with an estimated 10 years product life based on a single shift use with a 253 lb individual | Size C of X6.1 is identical to the user in X5.1. Current version of X5.4 is using the older 253 lb user weight. | ||||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||
| Individual weight | 74 lbs | 200 lbs | 275 lbs | ||||
| Seat Height | < 13.9″ | > 13.9″ & < 16.7″ | > 16.7″ | ||||
| N/A | 5. Back strength test (Type I & II) | 5. Backrest Strength Test Horizontal | No such tests in X6.1 | ||||
| 6. Back Strength Test Multiple seaters shall be tested simultaneously | 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 the same for X5.1 Type III, X5.4 and X6.1 Size C chairs. However, the Proof Load is maintained for 10 seconds in X6.1 whereas it is maintained 60 seconds in X5.1 and X5.4. | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.1 for single seater chairs | |||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||
| Functional Load | 75 lbf, 1 minute | 120 lbf, 1 minute | 150 lbf, 1 minute | ||||
| Proof Load | 113 lbf, 10 seconds | 181 lbf, 10 seconds | 225 lbf, 10 seconds | ||||
| 8. Drop test Drop Height: 6″ | 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 | Same test for X5.1, X5.4 and X6.1 Size C chairs | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.1 | |||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||
| Bag Diameter | 12 in. | 12 in. | 16 in. | ||||
| Functional Load | 113 lbs | 169 lbs | 225 lbs | ||||
| Proof Load | 150 lbs | 225 lbs | 300 lbs | ||||
| 18. Swivel cycling test # of cycles: 120,000 cycles | 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 test for X5.1 and X6.1 Size C chairs. Slightly lower weight in BIFMA X5.4. | X5.1 covers X5.4 & X6.1 | |||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||
| Load on the seat | 75 lbs | 200 lbs | 270 lbs | ||||
| N/A | 9. Tilt mechanism test | 20. Tilt mechanism test – Cyclic | No such test in X6.1 | ||||
| ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2018 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2017 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 | Comparison | Conclusion | |||||
| 10.3. Seating impact test Drop Height: 1.4″ | 10.3. Seating impact test Bag Diameter: 16″ Drop height: 1.4″ Bag Weight: 125 lbs | 14. Seating Durability Tests – Cyclic Bag: 16″ Diameter Drop height: 1.2″ Bag Weight: 125 lbs; 225 lbs on other seats | Same test for X5.1 and X6.1 Size C chairs. Slightly lower drop height in BIFMA X5.4. | X5.1 covers X5.4 & X6.1 for single-seat units. X6.1 covers X5.4 for multiple seat units. | |||||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | Convertible bench-table | ||||||
| Bag Diameter | 12” | 12” | 16” | 16” | |||||
| Bag Weight | 63 lbs | 94 lbs | 125 lbs | 125 lbs 225 lbs on other seats | |||||
| # of cycles | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 40,000 | |||||
| 10.3. Front Corner Load-Ease Test – Cyclic | 10.4. Front Corner Load- Ease Test – Cyclic Loading disk: 8 in diameter Load: 200 lbs # of cycles: 40,000 total | N/A | This test does not apply to Size A and B chairs. Same test for X5.1 and X6.1 Size C chairs. No such test in X5.4. | X5.1 covers X6.1 | |||||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||||
| N/A | N/A | Same as X5.1 | |||||||
| 5.3 Rear Stability test: Tilting chairs shall be tested in both conditions using the same protocol | 11.3.1 Rear Stability test for type III chairs 6 Disks on the seat, horizontal force = 1.1 (47-H) 11.3.2 Rear Stability test for type I & II chairs 13 Disks on the seat | 21.3 Rear Stability for Non-tilting Units 6 disks on the seat, horizontal force=1.1*(47-H) 21.4 Rear Stability for Tilting Units 13 disks on seat | Same test for X5.1 Type III, X5.4 non-tilting and X6.1 Non-Tilting Size C chairs | X5.1 and X5.4 cover X6.1 for size C chairs. Size A & B have a different protocol. | |||||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||||
| Seat loading | 79 lbf | 135 lbf | 6 disks | ||||||
| Horizontal force | 22.5 lbf | 40 lbf | F = 1.1 (47-H) | ||||||
| 5.4 Front Stability test: | 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 X5.1 and X6.1 Size C chairs. X5.4 is a completely different test. | X5.1 covers X6.1 | |||||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||||
| Vertical load on seat | 79 lbs | 112 lbs | 135 lbs | ||||||
| ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2018 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2017 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 | Comparison | Conclusion | |||
| 11. Arm strength test – Vertical | 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 | Loads are the same for X5.1 and X6.1 Size C chairs. However, the Proof Load is maintained for 10 seconds in X6.1 whereas it is maintained 60 seconds in X5.1. Load changes based on armrest width in X5.4 but always the same or higher. | X5.4 covers X5.1 & X6.1 | |||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||
| Functional Load | 85 lbf, 1 minute | 127 lbf, 1 minute | 169 lbf, 1 minute | ||||
| Proof Load | 127 lbf, 10 seconds | 190 lbf, 10 seconds | 253 lbf, 10 seconds | ||||
| 12. Arm strength test – Horizontal | 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 | Loads are the same for X5.1 and X6.1 Size C chairs. However, the Proof Load is maintained for 10 seconds in X6.1 whereas it is maintained 60 seconds in X5.1. Load changes based on distance between armrests in X5.4 but always the same or higher. | X5.4 covers X5.1 & X6.1 | |||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||
| Functional Load | 50 lbf, 1 minute | 75 lbf, 1 minute | 100 lbf, 1 minute | ||||
| Proof Load | 75 lbf, 10 seconds | 113 lbf, 10 seconds | 150 lbf, 10 seconds | ||||
| N/A | 14. Backrest durability (Type I) | 7. Backrest Durability Test – Horizontal – Cyclic | No such test in X6.1 | ||||
| 7. Backrest Durability # of cycles for chairs: 120,000 # of cycles for convertible bench/tables: 40,000 | 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 | Same test for X5.1 and X6.1 Size C chairs. Lower load on the seat in X5.4. | X5.1 covers X5.4 & X6.1 | |||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||
| Load on the seat | 67 lbs | 175 lbs | 240 lbs | ||||
| Horizontal force on the backrest | 38 lbf | 60 lbf | 75 lbf | ||||
| ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2018 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2017 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 | Comparison | Conclusion | |||||
| 14. Caster/chair base durability test Cycles over flat surface # of cycles: 23,000 cycles | 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 X6.1 Size C chairs. However, the number of cycles 25,000 cycles in X6.1 whereas it is 100,000 in X5.1. X5.4 has different loads and cycle counts. | X5.1 covers X6.1 | |||||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||||
| Load on the seat | 75 lbs | 200 lbs | 270 lbs | ||||||
| Number of cycles | 25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 | ||||||
| 16. Leg strength test Functional Load: 75 lbf, 1 minute Proof Load: 113 lbf, 10 seconds If both legs have identical construction it is not required to test both | 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 the same for X5.1, X5.4, and X6.1. However, the Proof Load is maintained for 10 seconds in X6.1 whereas it is maintained 60 seconds in X5.1 & X5.4 | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.1 | |||||
| N/A | 18. Footrest Static Load Test – Vertical | N/A | No such test in X6.1 or X5.4. | ||||||
| N/A | 19. Footrest Durability Test – Vertical | N/A | No such test in X6.1 or X5.4. | ||||||
| 13. Arm durability test – Angular – Cyclic (Size C chairs only) Load applied: 90 lbf per arm # of cycles: 60,000 | 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 | This test does not apply to Size A and B chairs. Same test for X5.1, X5.4 and X6.1 Size C chairs | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.1 | |||||
| N/A | 21. Out Stop Tests for Chairs with Manually Adjustable Seat Depth | N/A | No such test in X6.1 or X5.4. | ||||||
| 20. Tablet Arm Static Load Test | 22. Tablet Arm Static Load Test Load applied: 150 lbf, 1 minute | 23. Tablet Arm Load test – Static Load applied: 150 lbf, 1 minute | This test does not apply to Size A and B chairs. Same test for X5.1, X5.4 and X6.1 Size C chairs | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.1 | |||||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||||
| N/A | N/A | 150 lbf, 1 minute | |||||||
| 21. Tablet Arm Load Ease Test – Cyclic | 23. Tablet Arm Load Ease Test – Cyclic Load applied: 77 lbf # of cycles: 100,000 | 22. Tablet Arm Load Ease Test – Cyclic Load applied: 77 lbf # of cycles: 100,000 | This test does not apply to Size A and B chairs. Same test for X5.1, X5.4 and X6.1 Size C chairs | X5.1 & X5.4 cover X6.1 | |||||
| Size A | Size B | Size C | |||||||
| N/A | N/A | 77 lbf; 100,000 cycles | |||||||
| ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2018 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2017 | ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 | Comparison | Conclusion | |||||
| N/A | 24. Structural Durability Test – Cyclic | N/A | No such test in X6.1 or X5.4 | ||||||
| 9. Seat Static Loading (only if unable to perform Drop Test due to insufficient clearance) | N/A | N/A | No such tests in X5.1 & X5.4 | ||||||
| 10.4. Load-Ease (Simulated Impact) Test for Chair-Desks and Fixed Tablet Arm Chairs | |||||||||
| 15. Durability Test for Convertible Bench Tables with Casters | |||||||||
| 17. Structural Member Strength Test | |||||||||
| 19. Tablet Arm Test – Front Stability | |||||||||
| 22. Chair Desk and Table Top Horizontal Surface Vertical Load Tests | |||||||||
| 23. Chair Desk and Convertible Bench Table Top Load Ease Test – Cyclic | |||||||||
| 24. Static Loading of Storage (Backpack) Hooks & Unit Stability | |||||||||
We can help you create 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 related Furniture testing methods please see; BIFMA Testing, BIFMA X5.1, or BIFMA X5.4