BHMA Issues Revised Standards for Exit Devices, Door Controls

The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) has announced the publication of two revised American National Standards related to the door and window industry: ANSI/BHMA A156.3 -2008 for Exit Devices and ANSI/BHMA A 156.4 - 2008 for Door Controls - Closers.

ANSI/BHMA A156.3 for Exit Devices establishes requirements for exit devices and trim, automatic and self-latching flush bolts, removable mullions, coordinators and carry-open bars. Among the changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.3, the updated standard includes tightening the operational key torque value to12 in-lbf; adding electrified exit device functions; and adding definitions for dogging, electric dogging, mullions and multipoint exit devices and unlatches. This publication is an update of an earlier 2001 version of the standard.

ANSI/BHMA A156.4 for Door Controls - Closers contains requirements for door closers surface mounted, concealed in the door, overhead concealed and concealed in the floor. Also included are pivots for floor closers. Whole-scale reformatting was done primarily to reduce cross references and clarify test sequences for each type of closer, according to BHMA. Changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.4 include improving floor marking template diagrams; clarifying the door weight table by showing ranges; revising leakage failure criteria; adding a dead stop test procedure based on A156.8 for stops and holders; and clarifying the requirements for range of closing motion. This publication is an update of an earlier 2000 version of the standard.

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