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American National Standard for Materials and Finishes
BHMA has created this series of Hardware Highlights to provide useful, accessible information about builders hardware for architects, specifiers, builders, building code officials – anyone with an interest in the devices that hang, control, secure, and trim the doors. For further information about architectural materials and finishes, consult the full standard, ANSI/BHMA A156.18 for Materials and Finishes.
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 35 separate product categories.
Product Performance: Purchasers of Builders Hardware with finishes certified to A156.18 (http://buildershardware.com/cpd) can be assured products will perform to their expectations.
Below are an explanation and some examples of the evaluations conducted for certification:
Nearly every type of Builders Hardware is evaluated to the salt spray test described in the Standard. The test method and failure criteria (lack of corrosion, staining, blistering), are described in detail.
A combination of tests including pencil hardness, abrasion and perspiration resistance are offered to provide assurance that the surface will hold up to handling during the operation of the hardware.
Finishes need to be formulated to resist degradation over time from exposure to light; Visual failure modes are any chipping, flaking, cracking, color loss, or change (from clear to white, yellow or brownish); .
Useful to designers, specifiers and other users, just about every possible combination of architectural finish and substrate is assigned a BHMA Code Number such as 605 for clear coated bright brass (formerly US3)
Locksets contribute to building sustainability through their verified durability, as well as material characteristics such as recycled content and recyclability. Long lasting architectural finishes reduce the need to replace assemblies and components. BHMA has developed Product Category Rules, which will further define sustainability requirements and guide life cycle assessments and environmental performance declarations.
ANSI/BHMA A156.18 provides comprehensive tables with the finish code numbers, descriptions and equivalent finishes such as those shown below: