June 02, 2021

Grand Rapids, MI - The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the new safety and performance standard: ANSI/BIFMA X5.41-2021, Large Occupant Public and Lounge Seating.

The BIFMA Engineering Committee worked diligently for the past nine years to introduce this ANSI standard. Over a decade ago, stakeholders in the furniture community began discussing the need for a seating standard to accommodate large occupants. Discussions ensued with healthcare providers and other stakeholders to provide a seating standard for these users. The BIFMA Seating Subcommittee used ANSI/BIFMA X5.4 Public and Lounge Seating and ANSI/BIFMA X5.11 Large Occupant General-Purpose Office Chairs as the basis for implementing the new ANSI/BIFMA X5.41 standard.

The ANSI/BIFMA X5.41-2021 Large Occupant Public and Lounge Seating standard has two performance levels. The 400 lb. user is the basis for one series of tests and the 600 lb. user is the basis for the second series of tests. Manufacturers and specifiers must be clear on the performance levels for ANSI/BIFMA X5.41. The 99% and higher male is used as the weight basis for determining these two performance levels. 

The ANSI/BIFMA X5.41 Large Occupant Public and Lounge Seating standard also has two seat width requirements. The minimum seat width for the 400 lb. basis is 22 inches, whereas the minimum seat width for the 600 lb. basis is 26 inches.

In addition to the normative strength, stability, and durability tests, there are several informative appendices that cover: recliner pinch points, recliner stability, guidance for seating units with privacy screens or tables, seating flammability, and a convertible bed durability test.

Thanks to the hard work of the BIFMA Subcommittees and diverse industry stakeholders, this national consensus standard was finalized and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on May 24, 2021. 

Copies of the new standard are available from BIFMA immediately. This and other standards may be ordered online at https://www.techstreet.com/bifma. 

About BIFMA

BIFMA is the not-for-profit trade association serving business and institutional furniture manufacturers. Since 1973, the organization has been the industry leader in developing furniture safety, durability, and sustainability standards that ensure product performance and inspire confidence. BIFMA educates the stakeholder community on the importance and proper use of these standards; provides industry statistics and forecasts to members and the public; and advocates for regulatory conditions that enhance value and foster innovation.

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