View as PDF
American National Standard for Butts and Hinges
ANSI/BHMA A156.1-2025 This Standard establishes requirements for butts and hinges. Cycle tests, lateral and vertical wear tests, friction tests, strength tests, finish tests, and material and dimensional requirements are included. For further information, consult the full standard, ANSI/BHMA A156.1 for Butts and Hinges.
BHMA has created this series of Hardware Highlights to provide useful, accessible information about builders hardware for anyone with an interest in devices that hang, control, secure, and trim the doors. BHMA is the trade association which represents almost all of the North American manufacturers of builders hardware. One of its main activities since 1983 has been the development and maintenance of ANSI-approved standards for many separate product categories.
Product Performance: Purchasers of hardware certified to A156.1 (https://buildershardware.com/CertificationProgram/Certified-Products-Directory) can be assured products will perform to their expectations
Below are an explanation and some examples of the evaluations conducted for certification:
The standard includes a table specifying the required metal gauge based on hinge height, weight, and Grade. For example, a Heavy Weight, 5-inch, Grade 1 hinge shall be made from 0.190 ± .005 in. metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, other).
Building products are expected to last a long time, and builders hardware is no exception. Grade 1 hinges, for example, must pass a rigorous test through 2.5 million cycles of opening and closing on a door of a specified weight.
Hinges may be specified with additional features. The standard categorizes hinges with non-removable pins to prevent unauthorized door removal, hinges with built-in wiring to enable integration with power or access control systems, and hinges with beveled tips to prevent objects from being attached.
Builders hardware provides several attributes that are essential to building safety and performance, including egress and fire protection.
There are various types of trim which meet the ADA and A117.1 requirements for operable parts to be “operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist.”
Resistance to corrosion is evaluated through a salt spray test to ASTM B117 providing confidence to be aesthetically attractive and stay that way.
The reliable closing and sealing of openings can also contribute to energy conservation. BHMA has developed Product Category Rules, which will further define sustainability requirements.
Type Numbers: Another significant contribution of standards for product specification is a numbering system for hinge types. Please consult A156.1 for the full list; an example is provided here:
A2211A5211A8211
Half Mortise Hinge - Heavy Weight - Anti-friction Bearing Equipped with bearing unit(s), button tips, non-rising removable pins. Hinge shall be reversible. Highly polished and plated or phosphatized and primed. Corresponding sizes and gauges as listed in paragraph 3.8. Design options in paragraph 3.6.