BIFMA – the Business Institutional
Furniture Manufacturers Association – has released a revised version of its standard
for public and lounge seating that increases the basis weight and widens its
scope.
The 2020 iteration of its standard – BIFMA
X5.4 – is approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and it
supersedes the previous 2012 version. The new standard contains several
important revisions, including:
- Inclusion of recliners, patient seating, stools, and restaurant/dining/cafeteria seating
- Basis weight increased from 253 lbs. to 275 lbs.
- Decrease in static, proof load times duration for:
- Backrest strength test – from one minute to ten seconds for both horizontal and vertical
- Arm strength test – from one minute to ten seconds for both horizontal and vertical
- Increase in weight and height of drop for seating durability tests – multi-seats tested at a minimum of two positions – from
225 lbs. to 240 lbs.
ANSI/BIFMA X5.4 — 2020 Public and Lounge
Seating – provisions include:
- Specific tests
- Laboratory equipment
- Test conditions
- Recommended minimum levels for testing
- Evaluation criteria for performance, durability,
and structural adequacy
Public and lounge seating is normally defined
as that which is used in indoor common/shared spaces such as waiting rooms,
reception, visitor seating in patient rooms, restaurant/dining/cafeteria (those
not covered by UL 2040) settings, and other gathering areas. It includes:
- Single units
- Units with multiple seating positions within one unit
- Ganged seating units
- Arena folding chairs
- Standard folding chairs.
These chairs/seats are normally not
adjustable for personal use.
SGS Furniture Services
SGS helps you deliver well-designed,
functional, durable and safe products to your customers. We have the furniture
industry, regulatory and technical expertise to check your products’ compliance
against relevant standards and/or your own specifications. Learn more about SGS’s Furniture Services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with
the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full BIFMA
Revises Public and Lounge Seating Standard SafeGuardS.
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For further information contact:
Matthew McGarrity
Senior Technical Manager – Hardlines
Tel: +1 973 461 1505
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
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