Overview of ANSI/BIFMA Standards
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) website offers an overview of The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/BIFMA standards which apply to office furnishings. These standards were created for furnishings such as general purpose chairs, desks, vertical files, lounge seating, panel systems and storage units. The standards for each type of furniture were developed to encompass a variety of design features for each item. Therefore, not all of the testing standards will apply to each piece of furniture. For example the desk standards include tests for top loading as well as leg strength which will likely apply to most desks. However, other tests for desks such as tests for receding doors will only apply to desks which include this type of feature.
Individuals shopping for furniture should seek out furniture which has been approved by BIFMA. This is worthwhile because although these standards are voluntary, products which meet these recommendations are likely to be extremely durable. Additionally, the products will also function effectively.
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The Mission of the American National Standards Institute
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has designed a series of standards designed to enhance quality of life, as well as the competitiveness between U.S. businesses. According to the ANSI website the mission is, “to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.”
This organization produced first American Standard Safety Code in 1921 which covered the protection of heads and eyes of industrial workers. This is in contrast to the current state of affairs in which there are over 1,200 ANSI approved standards which are designed to protect workforce, consumers and the general public.
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The Mission of the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Asso
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating voluntary standards designed to promote a safe working environment. These standards, designed by BIFMA, apply to business and institutional furnishings such as desk chairs, desks, vertical files, lounge seating, panel systems and storage units. Additionally, BIFMA provides ergonomic guidelines which also help to create a more comfortable and healthy working environment for employees. In addition to creating standards and testing procedures for office furniture, BIFMA also lobbies the government to create legislation which will make office furniture safer. Furthermore, BIFMA also provides a forum for those interested in this industry to communicate, share ideas and learn from each other.
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Common Tests for Compliance with BIFMA Chair Standards
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) has a set of standards which apply to general purpose office chairs. These are voluntary standards which require a variety of different types of tests for compliance. Examples of the types of tests required for compliance include back pull, unit base, swivel cycling, tilt mechanism, seating impact, front and rear stability, arm strength, back durability, caster/chair base durability, footring durability and tablet arm tests. Chairs deemed to be compliant with these standards will pass these tests for all applicable features.
Consumers who are seeking out BIFMA compliant chairs should look for products which specifically say they are BIFMA-approved or compliant. However, not all BIFMA compliant products will include this designation in the product description. Therefore, it is worthwhile to contact a customer service representative before making a purchase to determine which products are BIFMA-compliant.
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Benefits of Purchasing BIFMA-Approved Furniture
There are distinct advantages to purchasing BIFMA-approved furniture. These advantages relate to assurance that the furniture will help to promote a working environment which is functional and healthy. Although non-BIFMA compliant furniture may also help to create this type of working environment, employers who purchase BIFMA-compliant furniture have the peace of mind of knowing the furniture has passed the tests designed by BIFMA. These tests are designed with BIFMA’s goal of providing standards that support safe, healthy and sustainable environments. Furniture items that meet these requirements are likely to result in greater productivity and fewer work-related injuries or accidents.
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BIFMA Testing for a Desk Chair
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) provides standards for testing a desk chair. The standard which applies to general purpose office chairs is ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2002. This standard calls for testing of back pull, unit base, swivel cycling, tilt mechanism, seating impact, front and rear stability, arm strength, back durability, caster/chair base durability, footring durability and tablet arm tests. Approved desk chairs should meet the testing guidelines included in this standard for all applicable components of the chair.
Manufacturers who adhere to the voluntary BIFMA standards produce products, such as desk chairs, which are better suited for the consumer. By providing standards which encourage higher quality products, BIFMA serves the consumer.
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BIFMA Testing for Desks
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) provides standards for testing desks. The standard which applies to desk products is ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-1998. This standard calls for testing of top loading, load ease, lock mechanism, extendible element or roll-out shelf cycle, out stop, rebound, racking, caster durability for mobile pedestals, leg strength, horizontal and vertical adjustment, stability, cycle testing for receding doors, interlock, drop test for receding door, unit drop and table tests.
Some of these testing standards, such as top loading tests and leg strength tests, will apply to the vast majority of desks available. Other tests, such as drop top testing for receding doors, will only apply to desks which contain these features. However, approved desks should pass the BIFMA testing standards for all applicable features.
Desks which are approved by BIFMA have met testing standards which help to ensure consumers are receiving quality products. The desks which meet these standards are designed to be both functional and durable, providing greater value to the consumer.
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