BIFMA Revises Storage Units Standard

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the revised safety and performance standard: ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019, Storage Units. This new national consensus standard was finalized and approved by ANSI on February 1, 2019. It supersedes and replaces the 2012 edition.

The BIFMA Subcommittee for Storage Units Standards and diverse industry stakeholders worked for two years to revise this standard. The 2019 version incorporates several updates and improvements, the most significant of which are to the Stability Tests. Public input along with round-robin testing provided valuable improvements to several of the stability tests.  A detailed Summary of Changes is listed in Appendix C of the document.

The X5.9-2019 standard defines the specific tests, laboratory equipment, conditions of test, and recommended minimum levels to be used in the testing and evaluation of the safety, durability, and structural adequacy of Storage Unit products. BIFMA will formally withdraw the X5.3 Vertical Files standard as the tests in X5.9-2019 now apply to these units also.

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.

About BIFMA

BIFMA is the not-for-profit trade association for business and institutional furniture manufacturers. Since 1973, BIFMA has been the voice for the commercial furniture industry, serving member and non-member companies to promote meaningful, market-oriented improvements for all stakeholders.

BIFMA sponsors development of safety, performance and sustainability standards used across the furniture industry. The association educates the stakeholder community on the importance and proper use of these standards. BIFMA also provides industry statistics and forecasts to members and the public, and advocates for regulatory conditions that enhance value and foster innovation.