WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) has announced the publication of revisions to six standards, all of which have been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Each ANSI/BHMA standard is reviewed at least once every five years and goes through several approval processes before they become available to purchase to ensure the standards meet quality and safety requirements.
“As the standards-bearing organization for builders hardware, these latest revisions reflect BHMA’s ongoing and critical role within the industry,” said BHMA Standards Director Karen Bishop. “As new technologies emerge, we remain committed to reviewing and evolving product standards to meet the needs of both the public and our industry.”
Changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.3 for Exit Devices
2.5 - Flush bolt grades added
2.6 - Mullion grades added
2.9 - Torque and time added to values
2.14 - Language added giving direction on utilizing a new specimen after a fixture failure
3.2 - Added a definition for actuating paddle
8.11 - Reorganized the sample selection chart and added auxiliary and panic devices
9.1 and 9.10 - Dead latch effectiveness testing, where applicable, added before and after cycle text
11.4 - Corrected metric conversions
15 – New section created for removable mullion tests
Minor editorial edits made including a reorganization for improved flow
Changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.17 for Self Closing Hinges & Pivots
Added new types for zinc and concealed; deleted Grade 4
Added related requirements for concealed hinges
Re-arranged sections for better flow
Re-arranged Sections 5 and 6 for clarity and to reduce cross references
Removed exception for hinges greater than 12”
Corrected 18” door gauge position
Changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.21 for Thresholds
3.1.1 - New definition added for barrier-free threshold
3.1.2 - New Definition added for expansion assembly threshold
3.4 and 3.5 - Language clarified
Corrected reference in 6.5 and 6.6 to barrier-free
Section 4 Figure 1 added (reference for 4.1.4 and 4.2.1)
5.3 - Clarified language
5.4.9 - Edited (A, B, C) to align content with industry nomenclature
5.4.2 - New Type added for saddle threshold
Minor edits where necessary
Appendix reorganized and information updated
Changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.35 for Power Supplies for Electronic Access Control
8.2 - Added a measurement point to the voltage regulation test
8.5 - New test requirements added for power supplies with battery backup
New test requirements were added for abnormal output on all power supplies, including power supplies with multiple distributed outputs
Appendix - Editorial changes and new voltage regulation language
Content reorganization and consolidation to improve flow
Editorial changes where necessary
Changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.39 for Residential Locksets and Latches
Removed grade equivalencies
Backset requirements added
Clarification of testing and sample requirements
Minor edits and re-numbering
Formatting errors corrected
Changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.40 for Residential Deadbolts
Removed grade equivalencies
Additional definitions
Updated references
Minor edits and re-numbering
Each ANSI/BHMA standard can be purchased on the BHMA website (www.buildershardware.com), and summaries of each standard can be accessed on the Hardware Highlights page. For more information on ANSI/BHMA standards, please contact [email protected].
