BHMA PUBLISHES REVISED STANDARD FOR CABINET LOCKS

ANSI/BHMA A156.11 Sets Standards for Wide Range of Lock Types

NEW YORK, NY - The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) announces the publication of ANSI/BHMA A156.11-2004 American National Standard for Cabinet Locks.

This newly revised document provides descriptions of - and sets standards for - a wide range of lock types, including locks for chests, cabinet doors, cabinet drawers, file cabinets, lever handles, tee handles, locker, sliding doors, show cases and sliding glass doors. It details definitions, lock types, test procedures and performance standards.

For examples, dozens of engineering drawings are provided to illustrate the following lock types:

• Cam Locks are installed in drawer fronts and in cabinet doors through a mounting cutout (i.e., bore) from the outside or inside and secured from the inside with a nut, a spring clip, screws, or by other means.
  
• Chest Locks are installed from the inside of the doorframe of the cabinet, inserting the cylinder or barrel into a cutout in the door or frame.
  
• Cabinet Door or Drawer Locks are installed from inside of the drawer or door, inserting the cylinder or barrel into a cutout in the drawer front or door.
  
• File Cabinet Locks are installed from the inside of the cabinet located in the cabinet framework into a cutout.
  
• Lever and Tee Handle Locks are installed in cabinet doors from the outside through a cutout and secured from inside.
  
• Locker Locks are surface mounted on the interior of the door with the cylinder located in a cutout.
  
• Sliding Door Locks are installed in sliding cabinet doors (wood or metal) through a cutout and secured from the inside by means of screws.
  
• Show Case or Sliding Glass Door Locks are attached by means of a ratchet or strap strike.

Testing Requirements
The standard seeks to establish measures of quality based on objective product testing. Depending on the type of lock, testing to the standard may include operational tests, cycle tests, performance-after-cycle tests as well as various finish tests. Performance tests include strength tests, such as the cylinder plug pulling test, axial load test, bolt strength test and dead bolt end pressure test. Finish tests include requirements for salt spray, humidity and pencil hardness.

Explanation of Product Identifiers
ANSI/BHMA A156.11 standard details an industry standard identifier system that is commonly used to specify such locks. An example identifier is "E07112," which can be deciphered using the key provided in the standard. The first letter denotes the BHMA Product Section (E). The first numeral indicates the material, so that "0" refers to optional material. The second numeral identifies the type of product, so that "7" refers to Cabinet Locks. The third and fourth numerals further identify the lock function, so that "11" designates a door lock with a dead bolt half-mortised into back of door. The fifth numeral designates the grade classification of the Cabinet Lock, where "2" refers to Grade 2.

For more information, or to purchase copies of the ANSI/BHMA A156.11-2004 standard, please visit BHMA's web site at www.buildershardware.com Purchased standards are available as printed documents or as electronic files (PDF) for immediate download. You can also order standards by phone by calling 800-699-9277.

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