BHMA PUBLISHES REVISED STANDARD FOR SELF CLOSING HINGES & PIVOTS

ANSI/BHMA A156.17 Includes Standard Definitions, Performance Tests and Product Identifiers

NEW YORK, NY - The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) announces the publication of ANSI/BHMA A156.17-2004 American National Standard for Self Closing Hinges & Pivots. This newly updated standard covers requirements for various types of spring hinges, spring pivot hinges and gravity pivot hinges.

Single acting hinges swing in one direction; double acting hinges can swing in both directions. Most of these are used to close doors, although some single-acting hinges provide reverse action, i.e., they hold doors open. This newly revised 18-page ANSI/BHMA standard includes more than 25 illustrations of various types of hinges and related devices, including five types of single-acting spring hinges; seven types of double-acting spring hinges; eight types of gravity spring hinges and pivot hinges; various screen or dwarf door hinges; and other miscellaneous items. Cycle tests, operational tests, finish tests, material and dimensional requirements are included in the standard. Operational tests include closing force tests, cycle tests, latch tests (for single acting doors) and static load tests.

The ANSI/BHMA A156.17 standard provides a key to BHMA identifying numbers for self-closing hinges and pivots. For example, the initial letter "K" in the identifying number "K81081" designates the BHMA product section, and the first numeral (8) indicates that the material is wrought steel. The second numeral (1) indicates that the product is a spring hinge, and the next two numerals (08) further identify the type of product. The final numeral indicates Grade, based on the performance tests of the standard, with the highest Grade being Grade 1.

The new edition of the standard includes numerous editorial and formatting improvements as well as changes in content. Revisions include amending the requirement for lubrication during test; adding an appendix note to follow manufacturers' lubrication instructions after field installation; omitting an optional hinge mounting friction procedure; and, in the description number section, denoting that only grade 1 spring hinges are eligible for fire test approvals.

For more information, or to purchase copies of the ANSI/BHMA A156.17-2004 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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