ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019 Testing Services

CIL provides accredited BIFMA testing services in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. CIL is the only accredited testing laboratory in India to conduct BIFMA test. CIL is an ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratory.

X5.9-2012 Storage Units Tests Standard Approved by ANSI and Released for Distribution 

CDG 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. 

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the new edition of ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 Storage Units – Tests standard, and copies of the new edition are available from BIFMA immediately. The BIFMA File/Storage Subcommittee worked diligently to revise this new edition of ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 with changes to unit loads, drawer cycles, door drop cycles, numerous test clarifications for consistency, and several changes that harmonize with other BIFMA standards. 

Typical products covered by this standard are: 

• Bookcases 
• Wardrobes 
• Cabinets 
• Wall-Mounted cabinets 
• Freestanding pedestals 
• Mobile pedestals 

The types of tests to be employed to test to BIFMA X 5.9 are: 

• Static load loading 
• Dynamic loading 
• Durability testing 

The following are the revisions to the amendment as compared to ANSI/BIFMA X 5.9-2012 version: 

The reference to X5.3 Vertical Files – Tests removed. Vertical files are applicable in X5.9. 

Unit strength test 

• Added applicability notes for distributed functional load tests and distributed proof load tests 

Vertical load durability tests 

• Modified and clarified test set ups. Allowed the use of bag or force. 

Stability tests 

• Added the exempt for storage units less than 450mm in height 
• For horizontal force stability test, changed the height of storage units without extendible elements to 762mm and the load in the lowest inside surface to 105kg/m2   
• Added limitation of 965mm height for stability test for pedestals/storage units with seat surface 

Movement durability test for mobile storage units 

• Added tolerance for obstacle thickness 
• Changed cycle rate 
• Added direction for caster/ glide combinations 

Extendible element cycle tests

• Added the exempt for extendible elements with load capacity of less than 7 kg and do not have mechanical suspensions 
• Changed wide pulls at 457 mm 
• Removed horizontal cycle test for television/video display terminal extendible elements that swivel 

CDG is the not-for-profit trade association for business and institutional furniture manufacturers. Since 1973, CDGʼs role has been to sponsor the development and refining of current and future standards, educate on their importance and application, and translate their necessary complexity into more easily understood and implemented formats. CDG also monitors the state of the industry, serves as a forum for member cooperation and collaboration, interacts with international counterparts, and advocates for regulatory conditions that foster value and innovation.