The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) had a busy 2014. The association drafted two new standards and revised five more, all of which have been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

“Hardware standards evolve with product innovations and emerging technologies. BHMA tracks trends in order to quickly respond to or predict an industry need,” says BHMA’s executive director, Ralph Vasami.

New ANSI/BHMA standards for builders hardware include:

• ANSI/BHMA A156.37-2014 Multipoint Locks, which addresses mechanical locking systems with bolts, latches or other fastening devices at two or more locations of the door’s frame.
• ANSI/BHMA A156.38-2014 Low-Energy Power Operated Sliding and Folding Doors, which applies to door systems for pedestrian and some small vehicular use. Doors requiring higher speeds, forces, shorter time delays, and activating sensing devices are addressed in ANSI/BHMA A156.10.

Existing standards that were updated and approved in 2014 include:

• ANSI/BHMA A156.3-2014 Exit Devices
• ANSI/BHMA A156.5-2014 Cylinders and Input Devices for Locks
• ANSI/BHMA A156.11-2014 Cabinet Locks
• ANSI/BHMA A156.30-2014 High Security Cylinders
• ANSI/BHMA A156.115-2014 Hardware Penetration in Steel Doors and Steel Frames

For 2015, BHMA’s first two residential standards have been drafted and approval is anticipated in the first half of the year. The first will set performance requirements for residential locksets and latches used in single-family homes and multifamily dwellings, including durability, security, and finish tests. Similarly, the second standard will outline the requirements for residential deadbolts and dead latches.

Full scopes for ANSI/BHMA standards can be found here.