The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) published a new American National Standard, establishing methods for defining levels of acoustic performance in various architectural hardware products.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/BHMA A156.42, “Acoustic Performance Rating for Operational Noise of Architectural Hardware,” is the first BHMA standard for sound performance. BHMA officials say A156.42 guides the evaluation of the operational noise associated with hardware, such as bored locks, exit hardware, interconnected locks, mortise locks, multipoint locks and latches.
“The A156.42 Standard for Acoustic Performance Rating is a new and innovative way to rate door hardware for its applicability in low noise situations,” says Anthony Gambrall, BHMA’s director of standards. “With six years of testing and development behind 42, it consistently evaluates door hardware acoustic characteristics for a complete door opening and closing cycle. The standard also provides a wealth of acoustic terminology to help first-time users.”
Officials note that A156.42 complements existing BHMA product standards by focusing on acoustic considerations, enabling more integrated decision-making during product selection and specification. A156.42 can be found here.