U.S. – ANSI/ BIFMA X5.9 Storage Units Standard Updated

Vol. 1060 | 04 Mar 2019

On February 1, 2019, the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) released a new version of the industry standard for storage units, ANSI/BIFMA X 5.9-2019.

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

For more information, please contact:

John Wong
john.wong@intertek.com 
852 3760 6310