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BHMA® History

BHMA® was originally founded in 1925 as the Hardware Manufacturers’ Statistical Association (HMSA), with volunteer management. HSMA’s primary function was to gather and distribute statistics. As a result of an expanding membership and mission, the 1960’s brought change to the organization. It was in 1962 that the Association was officially recognized as Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA®). Today, more than 80 percent of all manufacturers of builders hardware in the United States are BHMA® members and, together, these companies produce the vast majority of hardware used in the nation’s commercial and institutional buildings. BHMA® has authored more than 40 commercial and residential standards and sponsors ANSI/BHMA® certification programs to help assure the life safety and security for the industry and for homeowners.

Timeline:
 

2022
The BHMA Codes in Context report series was launched with the aim of providing relevant hardware changes and updates during the various code cycles. Each report include a one-page Focus document with in-depth summaries of each code covered in the report.

BHMA could not continue its success without member participation in association initiatives. The Spotlight Series of videos highlights their efforts. 

2021
The members-only BHMA: Your Industry Leader educational model provides a comprehensive overview on the important role BHMA plays in key industries and areas of the global economy.

2020
The inaugural Richard A. Hudnut Distinguished Service Award recognizes exemplary performance by BHMA members who have made a significant impact in the BHMA standard or code development process.

2019
Established the "Priority One: Keeping Students Safe" partnership with NASFM.

The updated and redesigned BHMA Certified® Products Directory is launched. The newly automated program enhances the speed and productivity of all user groups and is more detailed, accurate, consistent and searchable.

 

2016
The BHMA Certified® SecureHome Label program is launched to help consumers and residential builders purchase products that have been tested and certified to stringent ANSI/BHMA® standards in three areas most important to today’s homeowners: security, durability and finish.  As part of the program, the SecureHome.org website is introduced to help consumers to purchase BHMA Certified® residential locks and deadbolts.

2015
BHMA® receives approval from ANSI to publish the industry’s first dedicated residential lock standards — ANSI/BHMA® A156.39-2015 Residential Locksets & Latches and ANSI/BHMA® A156.40-2015 Residential Deadbolts. Both standards establish performance requirements for products used in single and multi-family dwellings, including durability, strength and finish.

2014
In collaboration with a coalition of North American manufacturers, BHMA® works with UL Environment to establish the first Product Category Rule (PCR) for builders’ hardware.
Standards at a Glance are redesigned into single-page documents and renamed “Hardware Highlights.”

2013
BHMA Certified® Products Directory
moves online and increases its search-ability options.

2006
BHMA® logo is registered as a product label.

2004
BHMA® commits resources to monitoring the development of model codes and safety standards used in the design, building and compliance process.
BHMA® begins publication of Standards at a Glance, a quick, complimentary reference of ANSI/BHMA® certified product standards.

2000
BHMA Certified® logo is approved.

1998
BHMA® establishes the first third-party certification program for builders’ hardware, eventually launching the BHMA Certified® Products Directory for locks, exit devices, door closers, electromagnetic locks and hinges.

1989
BHMA® institutes the Award of Excellence program. For more on this program, click here.

1985
BHMA® begins joint meetings with the Door and Hardware Institute and becomes a participating association in sponsoring Hardware Industry Week and the National Hardware Show.

1982
BHMA® Board of Directors elects to publish standards for outside consumption with the stipulation that they are first approved by ANSI.

1977
BHMA® is officially incorporated in the state of New York.

1975
BHMA® is accredited as leader in Architectural Hardware Standards.

1970
First standard is published under BHMA® imprint (BHMA® 101 for Butts and Hinges, followed by BHMA® 201 for Cabinet Hardware). These standards are offered at $1.00 each.

1969
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) becomes the vehicle for BHMA® to obtain consensus recognition of its standards.

1964
Launch of BHMA® standards.

1962
First official year of name change from HMSA to BHMA® (Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) and first release of BHMA® Member Directory.

1941 – 1945
During America’s involvement in World War II, HMSA plays a pivotal role in the allocation of strategic materials: it was through association representation that materials were distributed to hardware manufacturers. After WWII, HMSA returns to its original task of gathering and distributing statistics.

1925
BHMA® is founded with volunteer management as the Hardware Manufacturers’ Statistical Association (HMSA).

Search BHMA Certified® Products

For complete listings of BHMA Certified® Products, view the BHMA Certified® Products Directory (CPD). The listings in this directory are performance-oriented standards having cycle, operational, strength, security, and finish test requirements.

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Get Certified

Participate in the BHMA® Certification Program by voluntarily submitting a hardware product to independent laboratory testing to confirm that it fully meets the criteria of the appropriate ANSI/BHMA® standard.  This industry-wide certification program does not call for a manufacturer to be a BHMA® member in order to certify its products.

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