BHMA considering new hardware standards

BHMA to Approve New Hardware Standards

The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) announced in a press release that the group held its Annual Fall Meeting October 14-16, 2014 in Scottsdale, AZ. BHMA is the only organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop and maintain performance standards for door hardware, cabinet hardware, electronic locks, door knobs, and other builders’ hardware. 

At the meeting, BHMA marketing and standards committees voted to move forward on several key programs, including updates on the following hardware standards:

• ANSI/BHMA A156.8 Overhead Stops & Holders
• ANSI/BHMA A156.15 Release Devices
• ANSI/BHMA A156.10 Power Operated Pedestrian Doors
• ANSI/BHMA A156.23 Electromagnetic Locks
• ANSI/BHMA A156.36 Auxiliary Locks

Ralph Vasami, BHMA’s executive director said, “BHMA’s standards evolve with changing technologies and industry demands.  When there is a need, our organization is triggered to develop an entirely new standard for a new or existing category of products.”

BHMA sponsors third-party certification of hardware products. Manufacturers voluntarily submit a hardware product to independent laboratory testing to confirm that the product fully meets the criteria of its ANSI/BHMA standard.  In-factory audits of the product are conducted periodically to assure that product complies with the standard.

Companies that are interested in BHMA certification of home hardware can download the BHMA Certified Presentation, Application for Certification and Program Manual which provide more information about home hardware product testing, standards and to get a better understanding of the standards and the requirements for certification.

Some of the home hardware that is eligible for consideration includes:

• A-Butts & Hinges (A156.1), Hinge Templates (A156.7), Self Closing Hinges (A156.17),
• Strap & Tee Hinges (156.20), Continuous Hinges (A156.26)
• B-Cabinet Hardware (A156.9), Auxiliary Hardware (A156.16)
• D-Sliding & Folding (A156.14)
• C-Closers (A156.4), Stops & Holders (A156.8), Release Devices (A156.15)
• E-Auxiliary Locks (A156.5), Cabinet Locks (A156.11), Electromagnetic (A156.23), Exit Locks, Hi Security Cylinders (A156.30)

The full list is available here. 

American Hardware Manufacturers Association Press Release: Home Hardware Sales Continue to Grow

American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) is a globally focused trade association of manufacturers or providers of hardware, home improvement, lawn and garden, paint and decorating, building and construction and related products, as well as manufacturers’ representative’s agencies and trade publications. The association, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, posted a press release in November 2014 that reported the AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index, which is a monthly indicator of the economic health and mood of the home hardware manufacturing and distribution industry based on a survey of AHMA members.

The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s improved in October to 345.8, and the Future Expectations Index improved to 239.7.

Eighty-three percent of respondents said sales were higher in October versus year-ago levels, up from 78 percent in September. Seventeen percent said sales were below year-ago levels. 61 percent of October respondents said they expect sales to be above current levels.  Thirty-33 percent of respondents said they expect sales to be even in six months and six percent expect sales to be below current levels.

Question: Will the outcome of the midterm elections have an effect on your business?

44 percent responded “Yes,” 28 percent responded “Not Sure,” and 28 percent responded “No.”

Question: How important is it to your business that rising healthcare costs be brought under control?

94 percent responded “Very important,” 6 percent responded “Somewhat important,” and zero percent responded “Not important.”

                                                                                                                      

The data collected from the survey produces two indexes indicating current situation and future expectations. Both indexes use survey data from October 2008 as the base reference point.

The AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index results are released on the first Wednesday of every month. Results of the index survey are viewable online here: http://www.ahma.org/ConfidenceIndex/CurrentResults