The New York City-basedĀ Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) announces a new ANSI / BHMA A156.31 American National Standard for Electric Strikes and Frame-Mounted Actuators, setting performance requirements for key hardware components of electrically-activated security systems.
Developed by BHMA, the new standard was approved by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on Nov. 30, 2001.
The development of this new standard reflects the growing market for security systems for controlling entry into restricted areas of a building. Electric strikes and frame-mounted actuators are ideally suited for security systems that depend on computers for identity verification. They are also commonly used to unlock a door from a remote location, e.g., to 'buzz in' a visitor into an apartment building or suite of offices.
Regardless of the gatekeepers or software-based identification system, e.g., hotel room card-key, employee ID card, ATM card, voice recognition or even retinal scanning, a door is finally unlocked by sending an electric current to the electric strike or a frame-mounted actuator. Building security depends to a large degree on the flawless performance of these hardware components.
'The existence of this standard should facilitate the development of sophisticated security systems and accelerate the adoption of hardware standards in building codes,' said Mike Tierney, BHMA standards coordinator. 'As concerns about building security come into focus, this standard becomes an essential part of the security picture.'
The standard defines important terms and establishes general requirements as well as operational tests and finish tests for these products. In addition, it illustrates electric strike functions and gives descriptions and type numbers for electric strikes and actuators.
For more information, or to purchase copies of the ANSI/BHMA A156.31 Standard, please visit the web site at www.buildershardware.com . Purchased standards are available as printed documents or as electronic files (PDF) for immediately downloading from the web site. You can also order standards by phone by calling 800-699-9277.
