BIFMA X5.

5
Micom offers BIFMA X5.5 testing as part of its Office Furniture Testing services. ANSI/BIFMA
X5.5-2014 – Desk/Table Products – Tests – was released on February 2014 and replaces the 2008
standard edition. BIFMA x5.5 covers freestanding furniture articles including but not limited to,
single and double pedestal desks, extended desk units, credenzas, and tables. Also included are items
that are attached to, placed on or supported by the desk/table unit such as overhead storage units.
Accessory items are not included in this standard. On the other hand, flip top tables, monitor arms
and benching systems are now covered by this new edition. Storage cabinets should be tested
to Bifma X5.9, office seating to Bifma X5.1, lounge seating to Bifma X5.4 and panel systems
to Bifma X5.6.
Just in case your product has been tested before 2008; below is a test-by test comparison between the
new and the previous version of BIFMA X5.5 to give you a better understanding of what are the
impacts of the new standard edition:
Comparison between BIFMA X5.5 2014 and 2008
Comparison with
# test ANSI/BIFMA X 5.5-2014 -Tests ANSI/BIFMA X 5.5-2008 Rationale

4,3 Stability under Vertical load Same No change

Wording added to the effect that

screens/modesty panels shall be
Horizontal Stability for Desk / installed for the testing should they
4,4 Tables With Casters Same be available
This test now applies to flip top
tables with the work surface held
vertically. Test also applies to light
screens attached to the unit’s work
Force stability for tall desk / table surface with a mass more than 10
4,5 products Testing may be required lbs (used to be 20 lbs)

5.2 – Unit static load tests

5.3 – Unit static load tests

5.4 – Unit static load tests

Same however the test
also now covers monitor No significant change except for
5 5.5 – Unit static load tests arms. monitor arms
5.6 – Transaction
5,6 SurfaceTorsional Load Test Same No change

5.7 – Extendible Member Proof No

5,7 Load Test Same change

Benching Systems – Distributed New

5.8 Functional Load and Stability Test New test test
Benching Systems – Distributed New
5.9 Proof Load Test New test test
No
6 Top load ease test Same change
Whereas there used to be 2 possible
drop heights based on the
unit’s weight, now there are 3
7 Drop test Testing may be required possible drop heights

8 Leg strength test Same No change

Test also applies to light screens

attached to the unit’s work surface
Testing may be required with a mass more than 10 lbs (used
Dislodgment tests for tall desk / for light screens attached to to be 20 lbs). Acceptance level
9 table products work surfaces more specific than before.

10,2 Extendible member cycle test Same No change

Cycle Test for Extendible Elements
10,3 Wider than Deep Same No change
 Extendible member cycle test –
10,4 Pencil drawer Same No change

11 Out stop test Same No change

12 Rebound test Same No change

13 Interlock test Same No change

14,2 Lock test extendible member Same No change

14,3 Lock test door locks Same No change

Locking mech. cycle test for all

14,4 locks test Same No change

Work surface adjustment test,

15 vertical Same No change

16 Adjustment test Same No change

Strength test for vertically hinged
doors, Bi-Fold Doors and
17,2 Vertically Receding Doors Same No change

Hinge Override Test for Vertically

17,3 Hinged Doors Same No change

Vertical Receding Doors Strength

17,4 Test Same No change

Horizontal Receeding doors Strength

17,5 Test Same No change
Wear and fatigue test for hinged
doors, Horizontally sliding doors
17,6 and Tambour Doors Same No change

Wear and fatigue test for vertical

17,7 receding door Same No change

Wear and fatigue test for horizontal

17,8 receding doors Same No change
Vertical & Horizontal Receding
Door Outstop
17,9 test – Cyclic Impact Same No change
Slam closed test for Vertically
Hinged and Vertically Receding
17.10 Doors Same No change
Drop cycle test for horizontally
hinged doors and horizontally Number of drops used to be 500;
17,11 receding doors No re–testing required now it is down to 200 drops
Slam test for doors which free fall
17,12 open or closed Same No change

Method of determining the applied

Slam open and closed test for force has changed and # of cycles
17,13 doors that do not free fall Testing required went from 50 to 10 cycles

17,14 Door latch test Same No change

Durability test for desks and tables

18 with casters Same No change

19 Pull force test Same No change

20 Tilting Top Table — Cycle Test New test New cycle test
Tilting Top Table – Latch Strength
21 Test New test New Static test

22.1 Monitor Arm Strength test New test New Static test

22.2 Monitor Arm Cycle Test New test New cycle test
22.3 Monitor Arm Dislodgment test New test New test

Other test methods related to BIFMA X5.5:

For additional related test methods please see; BIFMA Testing, Furniture testing or Material
Testing.
Furniture packages should be tested to ISTA 2C for regular shipments or to ISTA 3A when shipping
through the small parcel distribution system. For desk products sold to healthcare
environments, Bifma HCF 8.1 – Guideline for cleanability should be considered.