The ANSI/BIFMA X6.4 Occasional-Use Seating is an ANSI approved standard for testing introduced by the Business Institutional Manufacturers Association which defines the type of tests to be performed, the equipment to be used, the conditions for the test to be valid and grading for test results evaluation.
As the name implies, this standard covers seating that is occasionally used by the same individual, for example, indoor waiting room chairs, chairs for reception areas and seating in other gathering areas. In the standard, the type of occasional-use seating covered are also defined.
What parameters are checked during testing?
When testing under the ANSI/BIFMA X6.4 Occasional-Use Seating standard, there are three main parameters that must be checked and assessed. These parameters are:
• Seating safety: safety is assessed independent of the design and the materials and processesused to build the seating. Aspects such as flammability and ergonomics are not considered.
• Seating durability: durability is assessed on the seating as a whole; surface material and cushioning durability are not assessed. When using this standard, the impact of the user size and weight, care and maintenance, environmental conditions, among other aspects should be considered to understand that compliance does not necessarily mean an exact product life cycle.
• Seating structural adequacy: the structural adequacy refers mainly to the seating structure to be regarded as occasional-use seating. Again, ergonomics are not considered and the standard should not be applied to seating for specific medical conditions as they are not covered by this standard.
What is the benefit of testing as per this standard?
All standards offer unique benefits, and the ANSI/BIFMA X6.4 Occasional-Use Seating standard offers the tester specific tests and acceptance levels to assess safety and performance no matter the design, the manufacturing processes or the construction materials of the seating being tested.
In addition, the standard validates product life for an estimated five-year period, which provides great value for product certification.