The Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association has approved a new safety and performance standard, BIFMA X6.4-2018 Occasional Use Seating. Copies are available on the BIFMA website, www.bifma.org.
The BIFMA Board of Directors observed the need for this new standard to align with market
expectations for seating products designed for less frequent use. The Board worked closely with the
BIFMA Subcommittee for Seating Standards to develop the new standard. Upon draft completion and
verification of all tests, the full association approved adoption of this new standard.
The X6.4-2018 standard defines the specific tests, laboratory equipment, conditions of test, and
recommended minimum levels to be used in evaluating the safety, durability and structural adequacy of
Occasional-Use Seating products. Tests are based on the 95th percentile male, now weighing 275 lbs.
Many of the tests align with ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 Lounge and Public Seating, while outlining a
reduction to the number of durability testing cycles in keeping with the intent of this new standard.
The BIFMA Seating Subcommittee submitted a Project Initiation Notice (PINS) to ANSI on Feb.
13, 2018 providing intent to make BIFMA X6.4-2018 a future ANSI standard. The Subcommittee also
provided a PINS to ANSI to revise ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 Lounge and Public Seating.
Copies of the new standard are available from BIFMA immediately. This and other standards may be
ordered online at https://www.bifma.org/store/ListProducts.aspx?catid=185078.