View as PDF
American National Standard for Hardware for Architectural Glass Openings
This Standard establishes performance requirements for architectural hardware used on swinging architectural glass doors and includes operational, cycle, strength and security tests. For further information, consult the full standard, ANSI/BHMA A156.44 for Hardware for Architectural Glass Openings.
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 A156.44 (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:
Exit device attributes such as the force to retract the latch and force to latch the door are measured to ensure ease of egress and smooth closing. For example: With the door latched, the actuating bar shall be depressed by a force not to exceed 15 lbf.
Building products are expected to last a long time, and builders hardware is no exception. Grade 1 exit devices must pass a rigorous test through one million cycles of opening and closing on a GANA P-Style door, while Grade 1 door rails must pass 1,500 cycles with overloaded weight applied to the door.
Exit Devices & door rails are counted on to allow carefree operation to those who are authorized and ensure a high degree of security from the outside. An Impact Under Load Test is specified to ensure that the door cannot be forced open when impacted from the secure side.
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 the type of product. Please consult A156.44 for the full list; an example is provided here: G01011
The first character “G” denotes Section G The second and third characters identify Product Type i.e. 01 = Type 1 Rim Exit Device The fourth and fifth characters indicate product category i.e. 01 = Exit Device The sixth character indicates the grade
|
 |