Ansi/bhma Certification I

ANSI/BHMACertificationWithout a properly functioning door closer on a door, a strong windcould cause it to swing open, slam shut or remain open inadvertently.In the event of an emergency, builders,architects and construction specifiers rely on sound doorclosers, as well as other door hardware, to function properlyand provide a safe measure of ingress and egress.To ensure that the product is up to the job, certified productsare put through a series of rigorous tests designed to measureits performance capabilities. The product, in this examplea door closer, can be certified when it complies with theestablished criteria of a specified standard. In the case ofbuilders hardware, certification indicates that products meetthe recognized American National Standards Institute (ANSI)and Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA)standards for durability, strength and performance.“Certainly, BHMA testing does set at least a minimum levelof performance,” said Thomas Breese, AHC, CCPR, for IngersollRand Security Technologies in Covina, CA. “The owner can beconfident that the product meets that level. At least they canbe assured that a Grade 1 door closer will survive 2 millioncycles. And even if it undergoes a certain amount of stress,the product will still perform reliably and predictably.”Today, more and more architectural hardware and doorhardware consultants throughout the United States areusing BHMA certified products as opposed to non-certified products for commercial building projects.Certified products are tested, graded, proven to meet therelevant standard and assured to do their job, time and time again.by M i ke T ie r n ey22 DOORS AND HARDWARE June 2007

A product bearing the ANSI/BMHA Certification mark providesthe buyer with a certain level ofquality assurance. Certificationrequires that the product betested and audited, which leads tohigher design specifications andmanufacturing procedures, resulting in a higher-quality product.BHMA is the only U.S. organization accredited by ANSI todevelop and maintain performancestandards for builders hardware.Currently, there are 33 ANSI/BHMAstandards in existence, withseveral more in development.The ANSI/BHMA standardsestablish performance requirementsfor products and set parameters foroperational, strength, cycle, finish,and security tests. Proceduresdescribed within the standardsare performed under laboratoryconditions. For example, locksthat are designed to withstand theforce of heavy blunt instruments(e.g. sledgehammers and battering rams) must undergo impacttests that can involve repeatedblows with mechanical rams.The standard for AuxiliaryLocks and Associated Products(ANSI/BHMA A156.5-2001) includesauxiliary bored and mortiselocks, rim locks, cylinders andpush button mechanisms. Testsperformed include security tests,operational tests, finish tests anddimensional criteria. The equipment for security tests in thisstandard includes the door ram,the vertical impactor, the torqueapplicator and the tension-loadingdevice. In the cylinder guard test,for example, the vertical impactoris positioned so that the strikingweight makes contact with thetop of the cylinder guard, and theAccess Management.Batteries Included.No Wires.No Controller.No Power Supply.SDC E70 Electronic Door Lock:HID Compatible Proximity Card& PIN Reader or Keypad OnlySDC’s battery powered E70 EntryCheck keypad lock retrofits existing lock preps in10 minutes, while the optionalHID compatible reader enablesuse with existing HID cards.EntryCheck starts at just 470 (MSRP). ANSI Grade 1Heavy Duty Cylindrical orMortise lockset or Exit DeviceInterface models available. Keypad Managed for basic applications PC Managed for demanding applications 32-3000 usersCheck out our website forall the details on the E70Standalone Electronic DoorLocks, or call: US/Canada800.413. 8783Manufacturers of Premium Grade Access Hardware Box 6219Westlake Village, CA 91359-6219 805.494.0622 FAX: 805.494.8861FREE ADVERTISER INFORMATION AT: www.thru.to/dhiJune 2007 DOORS AND HARDWARE23

BHMA offers certified productsin the following categories:ANSI/BHMA A156.1 Butts and HingesANSI/BHMA A156.2 Bored & PreassembledLocks & LatchesANSI/BHMA A156.3 Exit DevicesANSI/BHMA A156.4 Door Control-ClosersANSI/BHMA A156.5 Auxiliary Locks andAssociated ProductsANSI/BHMA A156.8 Door Controls, OverheadStops & HoldersANSI/BHMA A156.9 Cabinet HardwareANSI/BHMA A156.12 InterconnectedLocks & LatchesANSI/BHMA A156.13 Mortise Locks and LatchesANSI/BHMA A156.15 Closer Holder Release DevicesANSI/BHMA A156.17 Self-Closing Hinges and PivotsANSI/BHMA A156.18 Materials & FinishesANSI/BHMA A156.19 Power Assist & Low EnergyPower Operated DoorsANSI/BHMA A156.21 ThresholdsANSI/BHMA A156.22 Door Gasketing SystemsANSI/BHMA A156.23 Electromagnetic LocksANSI/BHMA A156.24 Delayed Egress LocksANSI/BHMA A156.25 Electrified Locking Devicesand graded to assure you that it will do its job.Within the standards, there are grades indicatingperformance levels. Grades are determined by the products ability to hold up to operational, strength, cycle,finish, and security tests outlined in each standard.There are usually three grades—grade 1 represents thehighest level of performance. It is important to consultwith knowledgeable industry experts and select theproper products. Door design, strength, reinforcement,casing and locking devices need to be compatible andthe appropriate grade level needs to be identified.BHMA certification requires third-party certification, meaning that an independent lab or testingfacility must perform follow up tests required by theproduct standard. To make sure a certified productcontinues to conform, random samples are audited.Thomas P. Lewis, AHC/CDC, an ArchitecturalDevelopment Manager for ASSA ABLOY DoorSecurity Solutions, in Tucson, AZ, said all themajor builders hardware companies gauge theirproducts based on ANSI/BHMA standards.“Certainly, you’re getting some level of standarduniformity across the board when you use a certified product,” Lewis said. “It has to meet a certainlevel of quality durability when it’s tested by BHMA.Certification guarantees that you are getting a levelplaying field for the products being specified on a job.”During the course of the year, BHMA offersworkshops on the importance of certified build-ANSI/BHMA A156.26 Continuous HingesANSI/BHMA A156.29 Exit Locks and AlarmsANSI/BHMA A156.30 High Security CylindersANSI/BHMA A156.31 Electric Strikes and FrameMounted Actuatorscenter of gravity is in a vertical line through the centerof the cylinder. The lock is subject to at least two blowsof 100J (0.1 btu) each (Grade 3) and a maximum of 10blows of 100J each (Grade 1). After each impact, anattempt is made to withdraw the bolt from the strikeby end pressure and by the manipulation of anyexposed lock mechanism by hand or screwdriver.Choosing a product that meets the requirementsof the standard contributes to life safety and security for the customer. With the certification, you’reconfident that product has been independently tested24 DOORS AND HARDWARE June 2007ers hardware for life safety and security, andprovides members and non-members with theknowledge on how to select the most safe, durableand quality products for their building needs.BHMA also has a committee update its standardsevery five years to continually enhance their effectiveness and assure that they are safe/secure.Edwin Aviles, who works for JC Ryan EBCO/H7GLLC, in Farmingdale, NY, said there are manyadvantages to using certified products, particularlywhen a part needs to be ordered and replaced.

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“You know that if the company manufacturing the product takes the time to get it certified,the product is going to have longevity,” Avilessaid. “If you do have to buy a part for a particularitem, or need an additional part in the future, youknow that they are going to be there, even if themanufacturer changes the product somewhat.”That might not be the case if a product has not beensubjected to the testing and auditing proceduresrequired for it to become a BHMA certified product.“If a product hasn’t been certified, UL approved,or was outsourced from a manufacturer overseas, it might be difficult to find the part, orsomeone who represents the product when youtry to reach out to the company,” Aviles said.In the case of some imported products manufacturedin the Pacific rim such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam,Japan, Malaysia, and Cambodia, the manufactureris fraudulently attempting to pass off their productsas equivalent to U.S. products. In some instances,these products barely meet the level of BHMA testing but do not meet the level of performance ofU.S. products they are copying, Breese said.“We’re seeing a lot of copying and patent infringement,” Breese said. “We’re seeing various U.S. manu-Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: What does ANSI/BHMA certification mean?A: ANSI/BHMA certification means that a producthas been tested against standards developedby BHMA and the American National StandardInstitute, certified by an independent laboratory and found to comply with the standardsdeveloped for its product type and class.Q: Does a manufacturer have to be aBHMA member in order to have itsproducts ANSI/BHMA certified?A: No. Any manufacturer of builders hardwaremay have their products certified andconsequently listed in the BHMA CertifiedProducts Directory, regardless of whetheror not they are a BHMA member.26 DOORS AND HARDWARE May 2007factured products copied and being represented asjust as good, even though they’re inferior products.”James Berg, CDC, AHC, President of Berg MarketingAssociates, Inc. in Kansas City, MO, said havinga BHMA standard is how experts in the buildershardware industry compare competitors’ products.“There are no other standards,” Berg said. “So if you’regoing to refer to one, it has to be a BHMA standard.”Over the years, Berg said he has worked on severalcommercial projects, including federal and governmentbuildings, colleges and public schools that specificallyasked for products that meet BHMA standards.Aviles said several clients have requestedthat certified products be used on projects hisfirm has worked on in the past as well.“We’ve used these products on projects for theNew York City Construction Authority, different school districts, purification plants, high-risecondominium buildings; more often than not,the people have asked for them,” Aviles said.Aviles said he would always recommend a certified product over a non-certified one becauseof the level of quality and greater productuniformity that comes with it. Certified products also ensure fewer call-backs in the field.“It’s like buying a McDonald’s hamburger, nomatter where you are, it’s always going to taste thesame and be of the same quality,” Aviles said. “In theend, if something fails or doesn’t meet the requirements, you have the standards to back it up.”Certified products bear the “BHMA Certified”logo on the product. For more information oncertification, specifying certified products andproduct standards, or to view the Certified ProductsDirectory, please visit www.buildershardware.com.BHMA Certification ProgramThroughout the year, BHMA members are recruitedor volunteer to speak on behalf of the association aboutThe Importance of BHMA Certification at local chaptermeetings across the United States. To learn more aboutthis program please contact Colleen Danz at 212-297-2108or by email at cdanz@kellencompany.comAbout the Author: Mike Tierney is the Standards Coordinator for BHMA.www.buildershardware.com

ANSI/BHMA A156.15 Closer Holder Release Devices ANSI/BHMA A156.17 Self-Closing Hinges and Pivots ANSI/BHMA A156.18 Materials & Finishes ANSI/BHMA A156.19 Power Assist & Low Energy Power Operated Doors ANSI/BHMA A156.21 Thresholds ANSI/BHMA A156.22 Door Gasketing Systems ANSI/BHMA A156.23 E