STANDARDS MATTER – Do They?

STANDARDS MATTER – Do They?

18 October 2019

OVERVIEW

1. Why BIFMA Standards matter in commercial spaces. 2. Understand the relevant standards for furniture

safety and performance.3. Understanding of BIFMA’s anticipated Conformance

Program and how it applies to the furniture selection process.

4. Review of research on workplace engagement and how this can be impacted by the use of high quality furniture.

BIFMA Standards Matter | October 18, 2019

8,700 (46%) involved children, under age 18 years7,500 (39%) involved adults, ages 18 – 59 years2,900 (15%) involved seniors, ages 60 years +

1 | STANDARDS MATTER

‘Furniture-Only’ Tip-Over – Annual Emergency Department Injuries

Making the case for: SAFETY

Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission – Oct. 2018


‘Furniture-Only’ Tip-Over – Reported Fatalities between 2000 and 2017

110 (67%) involved children, victim ages 1 month to 14 years9 (5%) involved adults, victim ages 28 – 59 years

46 (28%) involved seniors, victims aged 60 years +


Making the case for: SAFETY

Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission – Oct. 2018


Making the case for: CONFORMANCE



2/3 full-time professionals believe that “workplace design is equally or more

important than office location”

Capital One, Capital One 2018 Work Environment Survey


Making the case for: ENGAGEMENT


78%

69%

CBRE, How Millennials Live, Work, and Play (2016)


Making the case for: ENGAGEMENT

Millennials that see workplace quality as important when choosing an employer

Millennials that will trade other benefits for better workspace

2 | BIFMA HAS RELEVANT STANDARDS

Overview of our standards and guidelines

ANSI/BIFMA X5.1, X5.4, X5.11 and X6.1 SeatingBIFMA X6.4 Occasional Use SeatingANSI/BIFMA X5.5 Desk / Table ProductsANSI/BIFMA X5.6 Panel SystemsANSI/BIFMA X5.9 Files and Storage UnitsANSI/SOHO S6.5 Small Office / Home OfficeANSI/BIFMA M7.1 and X7.1 EmissionsANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture SustainabilityBIFMA G1 Ergonomics for Computer Workstations


“… normally used in an office environment and may include, but are not limited to those seating styles typically referred to as: executive/management, task/secretarial, side/guest chairs, stacking chairs, tablet arm chairs and stools.”

The 95th percentile male weighs 275 pounds and used as the basis for the tests along with a 10-year life at single shift usage.

In reality, this standard is also used for many other types of chairs.

2 | BIFMA STANDARDS - SEATING

ANSI/BIFMA X5.1-2017 Office Seating


The workhorse of North American seating tests.

Similar scope to ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 General-Purpose, except the basis uses a 400 pound male.

The seat width must be 22 inches or greater.

The tests were developed in conjunction with Mississippi State University.


ANSI/BIFMA X5.11-2015 Large Occupant Seating


“… normally used in indoor public spaces such as waiting, reception, or gathering areas. Lounge and public seating products are generally not adjustable for personal use.”

Where a product may be covered by more than one ANSI/BIFMA standard, the manufacturer shall determine which standard provides most appropriate test conditions.

The 95th percentile male weighs 275 pounds and was used as the basis for the tests along with a 10-year life at single shift usage. Note: BIFMA X6.4-2018 Occasional-Use Seating – 5-year life

A new seating standard is in development to include healthcare where 400 lb and 600 lb weight bases will be incorporated.


ANSI/BIFMA X5.4-2012 Lounge & Public SeatingBIFMA X6.4-2018 Occasional-Use Seating

Pre-school, elementary, middle school, high school, adult education, trade school, and college.

Not intended to evaluate products used in living/dorm environments.

Includes units with integrated desk or table surfaces.

Size A: Seat Height < 13.9 inches / User Weight 74 lbs. (female age 6)

Size B: Seat Height 13.9-16.7 inches / User Weight 200 lbs. (female age 12)

Size C: Seat Height > 16.7 inches / User Weight 275 lbs. (adult)


ANSI/BIFMA X6.1-2018 Educational Seating

2 | SEATING STANDARDS TESTS

Backrest Strength | Drop Test

The chair must withstand a weighted bag dropped into the chair from a height of 6 inches.

The chair must withstand a force for one minute.

The chair must withstand a weighted bag set into the center of the seat pan for 100,000 cycles; and again for 20,000 cycles each front corner.

2 | SEATING STANDARDS TESTS

Seating Durability

This standard tests products such as, panels, screens, panel-supported systems, access doors and various hang-on components used in conjunction with panel systems products.

This standard also provides recommendations for acoustical performance of panel systems products, and an Informative Annex that addresses considerations for Full-height Relocatable Wall products.

2 | BIFMA STANDARDS - PANELS

ANSI/BIFMA X5.6-2016 Panel Systems


2 | PANEL STANDARD TESTS

Panel Flammability | Stability Tests

FORCE APPLICATION FROM THE FRONT

FRONT VIEW

1372 mm (54 in.)

10°

FORCE

203 mm (8 in.) Diameter Disk

10° or 178 N (40 lbf.)

SIDE VIEW

There are force and impact stability tests for Panels and Screens.

This test is not intended for panels or screens less than 1829 mm (72 in.) in height or less than 0.93 square meters (10 square feet) in area .

Storage units include, but are not limited to, bookcases, wardrobes, cabinets, wall-mounted or exterior-mounted elements (such as shelf assemblies or paper management accessories), freestanding and mobile pedestals, etc.

2 | BIFMA STANDARDS - STORAGE

ANSI/BIFMA X5.9-2019 Storage Units


2 | STORAGE STANDARD TESTS

Stability | Drawer Cycle Tests

44 N (10 LB) FORCE

LOADED

LOADED

LOADED

EXTENDIBLE ELEMENT WITH THE LARGEST CLEAR SPACE LOADED TO 470 kg/m3 (0.017 lb./in.3) OF CLEAR SPACE.

EXTENDIBLE ELEMENT WITH THE SECOND LARGEST CLEAR SPACE LOADED TO 140 kg/m3 (0.005 lb./in.3) OF CLEAR SPACE.

13 mm (0.5 in.)

There are several types of Stability Tests for Storage Units

LOADED

Open and close the drawers for 50,000 cycles. Pull location dependent upon design.

Covers products such as Desks, Credenzas, Tables, and Benching.

2 | BIFMA STANDARDS – DESKS & TABLES

ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2014 Desk / Table Products


UNLOADED

UNLOADED

CLOSED

CLOSED

UNLOADED

UNLOADED

LOADED

OPEN UNLOADED

LOADED UNLOADED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

UNLOADED

UNLOADED

CLOSED

OPEN

LOADED

OPEN

UNLOADED CLOSED

UNLOADED CLOSED

LOADED

OPEN

Figure 4a - Stability with Extendible Elements Open Test

FRONT VIEW

FRONT VIEW

Figure 4b - Stability Under Vertical Load Test

57 kg (125 lb.)

25 mm (1 in.)

25 mm (1 in.)

TOP VIEW

SIDE VIEW

PLACE IN LEAST STABLE

POSITION ANYWHERE

ALONG PERIMETER

DISK

TOP VIEW

SIDE VIEW

57 kg (125 lb.)

DISK

PLACE IN LEAST STABLE POSITION ANYWHERE ALONG

PERIMETER (Note: FOR TABLES GREATER THAN 1,829 mm (72 in.) IN LENGTH, PLACE TWO LOADS

PER 4.3.2.

2 | DESKS & TABLES STANDARD TESTS

Stability Test

UNLOADED

UNLOADED

CLOSED

CLOSED

UNLOADED

UNLOADED

LOADED

OPEN UNLOADED

LOADED UNLOADED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

UNLOADED

UNLOADED

CLOSED

OPEN

LOADED

OPEN

UNLOADED CLOSED

UNLOADED CLOSED

LOADED

OPEN

Figure 4a - Stability with Extendible Elements Open Test

FRONT VIEW

FRONT VIEW

Figure 4b - Stability Under Vertical Load Test

57 kg (125 lb.)

25 mm (1 in.)

25 mm (1 in.)

TOP VIEW

SIDE VIEW

PLACE IN LEAST STABLE

POSITION ANYWHERE

ALONG PERIMETER

DISK

TOP VIEW

SIDE VIEW

57 kg (125 lb.)

DISK

PLACE IN LEAST STABLE POSITION ANYWHERE ALONG

PERIMETER (Note: FOR TABLES GREATER THAN 1,829 mm (72 in.) IN LENGTH, PLACE TWO LOADS

PER 4.3.2.


The purpose of these tests is to evaluate the ability of the unit to withstand static loads when loaded to its full capacity.

203 mm (8 in.)

centerline of load

DISTRIBUTED LOAD

EXTENDIBLE ELEMENTS LOADED AND EXTENDED (2)

Figure 5e - Distributed Load Tests for Primary Surfaces

2 | DESKS & TABLES STANDARD TESTS

Unit Strength | Vertical Adjustment Tests

The purpose of this test is to determine the ability of user adjustable surfaces to be cycled through their range of adjustment under load.

TOP VIEW

FRONT VIEW

45 kg (100 lb.) ON DISK

305 mm (12 in.)

305 mm (12 in.)

305 mm (12 in.)

305 mm (12 in.) DIAMETER DISK

75% HEIGHT 50% HEIGHT 25% HEIGHT 0% HEIGHT

100% HEIGHT

2nd Quartile

4th Quartile 3rd Quartile

1st Quartile

For determining VOC emissions from furniture under environmental and usage conditions that are typical of those found in buildings.

2 | BIFMA STANDARDS - EMISSIONS

ANSI/BIFMA M7.1-2011 (R2016) Furniture Emissions Test Method

ANSI/BIFMA X7.1-2011 (R2016) Low-emitting Furniture Standard

This standard specifies acceptance levels that define low-emitting furniture (as tested per M7.1).


Sample preparation and timing is very critical. Chamber testing is conducted for 7 days. The standard is very flexible with respect to loading (area) and chamber size.

2 | EMISISIONS STANDARD TESTS

Furniture Emission Testing


The purpose of this voluntary Standard is to provide measurable market-based definitions of progressively more sustainable furniture by establishing performance criteria that address environmental and social aspects throughout the supply chain

http://www.levelcertified.org/

2 | BIFMA STANDARDS - SUSTAINABILITY

ANSI/BIFMA e3-2019 Furniture Sustainability


http://www.levelcertified.org/

Uses principles and design considerations from ISO.

Focused on North America with data from the Civilian American and European Surface Anthropometry Resource (CAESAR).

2 | BIFMA GUIDELINES - ERGONOMICS

BIFMA G1-2013 Ergonomics Guideline for Furniture Used in Office Work Spaces Designed for Computer Use


Tenth Rib Midspine, Sitting

2 | ERGONOMIC GUIDELINE TESTS

Anthropometric Measurements

Hip Breadth, Sitting


Marek Brabec – Statistician for National Institute of Public Health (2010)

2 | ERGONOMIC GUIDELINE TESTS

Historical BMI Values & Weights


124.7 kg (275 lbs) would be way up here

3 | BIFMA COMPLIANT

Conformance Program for Furniture Tested to BIFMA Standards


3 | BIFMA COMPLIANT

Program Features

Agreements

ISO 17025 Accredited Lab

Test Report Audits

Compliant Mark

Website Registry (Fall 2020)


3 | BIFMA COMPLIANT

Registry will address issues like these

BIFMA Compliant will allow verification of such claims

3 | BIFMA COMPLIANT

Registry will address issues like these

BIFMA Compliant will allow claims of conformance

BIFMA does not certify

“Emotional commitment the employee has to the organization and its goals”

Furnishings, that are well made and meet performance expectations through the use of standards, can positively affect employee engagement.

Forbes, What is Employee Engagement

BIFMA

4 | WHAT IS EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT?


Gallup, State of the American Workplace (2017)

27% :

Low

er Q

uarti

le

Com

pani

es

GrowthEarnings per share

Employee ratioEngaged : Disengaged

4 | MEASURING ENGAGEMENT


27% Growth : Employee ratioEngaged : DisengagedLo

wer

Qua

rtile

C

ompa

nies

115% Growth :

Top

Qua

rtile

C

ompa

nies Employee ratio

Engaged : Disengaged



115% :

Top

Qua

rtile

C

ompa

nies

Productivity (17%)Profitability (21%)

Turnover (24%)Absenteeism (41%)

Quality incidents (40%)Safety incidents (70%)

GrowthEmployee ratioEngaged : Disengaged


30% U.S. employees strongly agree they have the materials and equipment they need to do their work right


Currently...


60% felt this way...


Profitability 11%

Quality 27%

Safety Incidents32%

But if...


Physical office

environment

Wellbeing

Engagement

Employees who are more satisfied with their personal space…

● Are more engaged at work● Have higher job satisfaction● Are less likely to quit● Make better co-workers

Brandware, The Relationship Between Workspace Design and Employee Engagement (2015)


BIFMA Research Poll, August, 2018


Is emotionally committed to the organization and its goalsIs enthusiastic about their work and their contributionStrives to further the organization’s reputation and interests

An engaged employee:

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

“There’s a connection between thephysical workspace and employee engagement”

72%

24%

2%

2%

0%


*Numbers based on 275 respondents in design related fields


Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

“There’s a connection between the furniture andemployee engagement”

50%

42%

6%

2%

0%


*Numbers based on 275 respondents in design related fields



Implications for the Workplace

Investing in employees and empowering them with BIFMA Compliant furniture keeps them engaged

Your organization and your clients will receive the benefits today and into the future

Safety is a client requirement

BIFMA standards are the trusted rule set for commercial furniture

LEVEL by BIFMA identifies sustainable furniture options

BIFMA Compliant will be the reliable way to find tested products

Employee engagement is real and furniture has a positive impact

WRAPPING IT ALL UP

STANDARDS MATTER – Yes They Do

THANK YOU!

Connect with us | Jennifer Wammack | [email protected]

Documents

STANDARDS MATTER – Do They?