Conclusion
What do these ANSI/BHMA residential standards mean for specifiers? Professionals involved in residential buildings now have extra guidance when it comes to deciding what products to select for each individual project or application. More products are available, and it is easier to identify product performance.

Nevertheless, ANSI/BHMA A156.39 and ANSI/BHMA A156.40 do not and are not intended to negate the need for existing commercial standards. As with any application of standards, the specifier should understand the criteria and use judgment and experience in selecting the most appropriate product for the application, especially when it comes to multifamily buildings.

BHMA-certified residential products can be found wherever hardware is sold—listings of certified residential products are available online in the BHMA Certified Products Directory. Currently, standards only exist for residential locksets, latches, and deadbolts. However, other hardware used for residential applications (e.g. hinges, thresholds, screen door holders, and gaskets) will be considered for standard development in the future.

Earlier this year, Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) launched a campaign to raise awareness about its standards for residential locksets and latches and deadbolts.

TESTING FIXTURES FOR RESIDENTIAL LOCKSETS AND LATCHES

Here are a few examples of testing fixtures from American National Standards Institute/Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (ANSI/BHMA) A156.39, Residential Locksets and Latches. Mechanically operated test door Provide a mechanically operated test door or panel—a minimum of 762 mm (30 in.) and maximum 914 mm (36 in.) wide—simulating the normal operation of the lockset through a cycle consisting of: operating the lever or the knob to retract the latch bolt from the strike as specified in Cycle Test 11 (a test to ensure the lockset can still operate properly after a certain number of cycles simulating the real life opening and closing of a door); opening the door to clear the strike; releasing the lever or knob to fully project the latch bolt; and closing the door to produce full latching by means of a door closer or other suitable device. Chassis cycle test Install samples. Use the manufacturer’s strike and either mount. Use samples which successfully passed Durability Tests, 8.1 through 8.5. Cycle locksets to the values in the following table. This test requirement is to simulate pulling a door open with a lever while being resisted by a door closer. Load shall not be applied during latch retraction. Where agreed upon by the manufacturer and lab, the cycle rate may be increased beyond the specified value pending verification that all cycling aspects are maintained. The cycle and load requirements are less than for commercial grade locksets but they are still quite stringent. Non-keyed knob crush test Use no strike and either mount. Knobs be tested and positioned in a tensile loading device having a compression load capability and compressed with 2224 N (500 lbf). Apply the load to the side of the knob at its highest point with flat plates. Deformation shall not exceed that specified. Requirement for all grades is 25 per cent deformation. Cycle and Load Requirements Grade A Grade B Grade C 400,000 cycles 300,000 cycles 150,000 cycles 22 N (5 lbf) load 13 N (3 lbf) load 14 N (3 lbf) load

Michael Tierney has served as the product standards co-ordinator for the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) for 17 years, where he co-ordinates the development and revision of BHMA’s performance standards. Tierney came to BHMA following a 20-year career in manufacturing management at United Technologies, Honeywell, Black and Decker, and Yale Security. He is a principle member on technical committees for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), ASTM, and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI); he also chairs the ANSI TAG 162 for Doors and Hardware. Tierney can be reached via e-mail at mtierney@kellencompany.com.