I bet that you’ve walked through doors that close automatically many times without knowing how they work! But behind the scenes, the folks who manufacture these products want to make sure that the door functions properly, making it safe for you. Standards are the way this happens and one such document is the ANSI/BHMA A156.4, “Door Controls – Closers.” Adopted by ANSI (the American National Standards Institute) and written by BHMA (the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association), this standard has been revised as a result of the usual 5 year review. The new 2013 Edition is available from Document Center in both paper and pdf format.
ANSI/BHMA A156.4 contains requirements for various types of door closers: ones mounted on the surface of the door or concealed in the door, the floor or overhead. And pivots for the closers are also included in this standard. The document provides various classes for these products, grade levels based on performance. Then a series of tests are defined which provide assurance that the products will work properly.
Five test procures for the door closers are included:
- Initial Static Tests,
- Intermediate Cycle Test,
- Interim Static Tests,
- Final Cycle Test, and
- Final Static Test.
There’s also a section for the pivot performance tests and for finish tests. And you’ll find extensive use of figures and tables to support the various requirements of the standard.
The user’s guide at the end of the document will also be of great assistance to the user. 15 separate areas are reviewed including the recommended method for measuring compliance to ADA requirements for the force to open the door and the amount of time it takes for the door to close. While the users guide is not obligatory, it was included to cover those issues to be considered by a door closer manufacturer.
The ANSI/BHMA A156.4 was originally released in 1980. It was known as BHMA Standard 301, “Product Standards Section C, Door Controls (Closers).” The original adoption by ANSI occurred in 1983.
ANSI’s protocol for the development of the standards it adopts requires a review of the standard every 5 years. So it is no surprise that the new 2013 Edition replaces the previous 2008 Edition, which is now obsolete (withdrawn). The new edition follows the structure of the old 2008 publication. Changes are not marked to assist the user to make a gap analysis.
All of the ANSI/BHMA standards are available from Document Center Inc. through our web store, www.document-center.com. You’ll be able to buy them in paper format or as a pdf download. Should you prefer, contact our sales staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We do have many of the obsolete BHMA standards available as well as the current editions.
