{"id":211785,"date":"2025-05-26T14:45:33","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T18:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=211785"},"modified":"2025-05-26T14:47:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T18:47:53","slug":"choosing-the-right-door-hardware-with-ansi-bhma-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/choosing-the-right-door-hardware-with-ansi-bhma-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing the right door hardware with ANSI\/BHMA standards"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Tony Gambrall<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Brown<\/a>
\u00a0Photos courtesy Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA)\/via stock.adobe.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When specifying door hardware for a new or existing project, a lot of time and effort goes into ensuring every piece of hardware chosen will perform to its highest performance level. Seems simple, but every door opening has its own performance level and codes dictate this. How can specifiers ensure the door hardware chosen meets these differing levels? This is where the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) and its door hardware standards can provide essential guidance.<\/p>\n

BHMA is the trade association for North American manufacturers of commercial builders\u2019 hardware and is involved in standards, codes and life safety regulations, and other activities that specifically impact builders\u2019 hardware performance standards for locks, closers, exit devices, and other builders\u2019 hardware.<\/p>\n

BHMA is the only organization accredited by the America National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop and maintain performance standards for locks, closers, exit devices, and other builders\u2019 hardware. BHMA currently has more than 40 ANSI\/BHMA standards. The widely known ANSI\/BHMA A156 series of standards describes and establishes features and criteria for an array of builders\u2019 hardware products including locks, closers, exit devices, butts, hinges, power-operated doors, and access control products.<\/p>\n

\"Three<\/a>
Full mortise hinges, typical of a type A156.1 covers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The different levels of ANSI grades<\/h2>\n

A typical BHMA standard is categorized according to the hardware\u2019s intended use through the assignment of grades: 1, 2, and 3, with grade 1 representing the highest performance. Each grade is determined through a series of rigorous tests, which can include up to 15 to 20 different assessments. For instance, a grade 1 mortise lock must withstand 1,000,000 cycles in a cycle test, while grades 2 and 3 require 800,000 cycles. These strict laboratory tests are designed to guarantee that hardware exceeds these benchmarks in actual usage. Graded hardware aids in selecting the appropriate products, balancing performance and economic considerations.<\/p>\n

Additionally, as the leader in commercial builders\u2019 hardware, BHMA recognizes the requirements for residential products differ enough from those of commercial products to have separate standards. As a result, BHMA has developed two residential standards: one for deadbolts and another for locksets. These standards require that consumers be made aware of the three key areas in which these products have been tested, including security, durability, and finish.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Door hardware is a part of green building initiatives. Photos courtesy Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA)\/via stock.adobe.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A deeper dive into ANSI\/BHMA Standards<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s look at one of the standards: ANSI\/BHMA, A156.1-2021 Butts and Hinges. This standard establishes requirements for butts and hinges. Cycle tests, lateral and vertical wear tests, friction tests, strength tests, finish tests, and material and dimensional requirements are included.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Durability testing of commercial lock. Photo courtesy Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Material<\/h3>\n

The standard includes a table that lists the required steel gage and the number of fasteners for each standardized height. For example, a heavy-duty 127 mm (5 in.) hinge shall be made from steel gage 0.190 + .005 in and have four screw holes per mortised leaf.<\/p>\n

\"Open<\/a>
Salt-spray testing evaluates the corrosion resistance of a finish. Photo courtesy Allegion plc<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Durability<\/h3>\n

Building products are expected to last a long time, and builders\u2019 hardware is no exception. Grade 1 hinges, for example, must pass a rigorous test through 2.5 million cycles of opening and closing on a door of a specified weight.<\/p>\n

Safety and security<\/h3>\n

Hinges may be specified with additional safety and security features for the application. The standard defines hospital hinges as having sloped barrels, maximum security pins (MSP), and non-removable pins (NRP), among others.<\/p>\n

Appearance<\/h3>\n

An additional duty of builders\u2019 hardware is to be aesthetically attractive and stay that way. Corrosion resistance is evaluated through a salt spray test to ASTM B117 providing confidence in the ongoing appearance of the architectural metals and coatings.<\/p>\n

Building codes<\/h3>\n

Builders\u2019 hardware provides several attributes essential to building safety and performance, including egress and fire protection. BHMA hinges are designed to comply with all applicable requirements. For example, hinges which are acceptable for fire doors are described in NFPA 80.<\/p>\n

Detention hinges<\/h3>\n

A section of the standard is dedicated to describing the requirements for detention hinges, including the test methods of ASTM F1758, Standard Test Methods for Detention Hinges Used on Detention-Grade Swinging Doors.<\/p>\n

Sustainability<\/h3>\n

Locksets contribute to building sustainability through their verified durability, as well as material characteristics such as recycled content and recyclability. The reliable closing and sealing of openings can also contribute to energy conservation. BHMA has developed Product Category Rules, which will further define sustainability requirements and guide lifecycle assessments (LCAs) and environmental performance declarations (EPDs).<\/p>\n

Type numbers<\/h3>\n

Another significant contribution of standards for product specification is a numbering system for hinge types. Please consult A156.1 for the full list; an example is provided here: A2412<\/p>\n