Door Locking Standards

Door standards from the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association address a range of features and characteristics of doors. Covering door controls, hanging, locking, trimming, power assist, and other standards, this set comes together to provide a comprehensive toolkit for manufacturers to create hardware that designers and users can depend on with a focus on reliability and interoperability. These standards are related to a wide variety of locking mechanisms for different doors.

ANSI/BHMA A156.2-2022

Bored and Preassembled Locks and Latches

This Standard establishes performance requirements for bored and preassembled locks and latches, and includes dimensional criteria, operational tests, strength tests, cycle tests, security tests and material evaluation tests. Tests to evaluate decorative and protective finishes for these products are described in ANSI/BHMA A156.18 for Materials and Finishes, and are required to complete certification. Tests described in this Standard are performed under laboratory conditions. In actual usage, results vary because of installation, door and frame construction, maintenance and environmental conditions.

ANSI/BHMA A156.3-2025

Standard for Exit Devices

Establishes requirements for exit devices and trim, automatic flush bolts, removable mullions, coordinators, and carry-open bars. Performance criteria include cycle, operational, strength, material evaluation, and security tests. Functions and types are described and numbered. Tests to evaluate decorative and protective finishes for these products are described in ANSI/BHMA A156.18 for Materials and Finishes and are required to complete certification. Tests described in this standard are performed under laboratory conditions. In actual usage, results vary because of installation, maintenance, and environmental conditions.

ANSI/BHMA A156.5-2020

Cylinders and input devices for locks

ANSI/BHMA A156.5 establishes requirements for mechanical cylinders, electrified input devices, and push button mechanisms, which include operational and strength tests.

ANSI/BHMA A156.36-2020

Auxiliary Locks

Establishes requirements for Auxiliary Locks, and includes dimensional criteria and five classifications of tests: operational, cycle, strength, security and, finish. Tests described in this Standard are performed under laboratory conditions. In actual usage, results vary because of installation, maintenance and environmental conditions.

ANSI/BHMA A156.12-2022

Interconnected Locks

This Standard establishes performance requirements for Interconnected Locks and includes operational, cycle, strength, material evaluation and security tests. Tests to evaluate decorative and protective finishes for these products are described in ANSI/BHMA A156.18 for Materials and Finishes, and are required to complete certification. Tests described in this Standard are performed under laboratory conditions. In actual usage, results vary because of installation, door and frame construction, maintenance and environmental conditions.

ANSI/BHMA A156.13-2022

Mortise Locks and Latches

This Standard establishes performance requirements for Series 1000 and Narrow Stile Mortise Locks and Latches and includes operational, cycle, strength, material evaluation, security and dimensional criteria. Tests to evaluate decorative and protective finishes for these products are described in ANSI/BHMA A156.18 for Materials and Finishes, and are required to complete certification. Tests described in this Standard are performed under laboratory conditions. In actual usage, results may vary because of installation, maintenance, and environmental conditions.

ANSI/BHMA A156.23-2022

Standard for Electromagnetic Locks

This Standard establishes requirements for electromagnetic locks and includes cyclical, dynamic, operational and strength tests. This product is used for access control. Tests to evaluate decorative and protective finishes for these products are described in ANSI/BHMA A156.18 for Materials and Finishes, and are required to complete certification. Tests described in this Standard are performed under laboratory conditions. In actual usage, results vary because of installation, maintenance, and environmental conditions. No lock can provide complete security by itself. Locks may be defeated by forcible or technical means, or evaded by entry elsewhere on the property. No lock can substitute for caution, awareness of your environment, and common sense. Builders hardware is available in multiple performance grades to suit the application. In order to enhance security and reduce risk, consult a qualified locksmith or other security professional.Grade Qualifications Manufacturers shall indicate the Grade level. A Grade 1 product shall meet all Grade 1 criteria, a Grade 2 product shall meet all Grade 2 criteria, and a Grade 3 product shall meet all Grade 3 criteria.

ANSI/BHMA A156.24-2022

Delayed Egress Locking Systems

This Standard covers products used in connection with conventional exit devices or locks causing the doors to remain locked after releasing actuation for a predetermined length of time. Performance criteria are included for functional, cycle, operational, fail-safe and overload requirements.Tests described in this Standard are performed under laboratory conditions. In actual usage, results vary because of installation, maintenance, and environmental conditions.

ANSI/BHMA A156.25-2023

Electrified Locking Devices

Electrified locking systems are usually comprised of four functional components: locking devices, input devices, controlling devices, and power supplies. This Standard establishes requirements for the locking devices, whose mechanical aspects are described in the applicable BHMA product Standards; in addition, where the input or controlling device or both are an integral part of the locking device, they shall also be tested with the locking device covered by this Standard. This Standard includes requirements for cyclical, security, operational, strength, and environmental tests for these products. Tests described in this Standard are performed under laboratory conditions. In actual usage, results may vary because of installation, maintenance, and environmental conditions.

ANSI/BHMA A156.28-2023

Recommended Practices for Mechanical Keying Systems

This recommended practice is intended for building owners, security professionals and others responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining secure keying systems. It covers system design, to provide design criteria to establish and maintain a secure keying system. The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for the essential keying conference, establish good practices for effective key management and give building owners the ability to extend the life of keying systems to meet future demands, maintain security and reduce expenses.

ANSI/BHMA A156.29-2017

Exit Locks, Exit Alarms, Alarms for Exit Devices

ANSI/BHMA A156.29 establishes requirements for Exit Locks, Exit Alarms and Alarms for Exit Devices and includes operational and finish tests. Alarms for Exit Devices include operational tests only.

ANSI/BHMA A156.30-2020

High Security Cylinders

This Standard includes security performance based requirements for both mechanical and electrified high security cylinders. For the purpose of this Standard, High Security Cylinder includes mechanical lock cylinders, electromechanical cylinders, and the electronic lock sub assemblies that are analogous to the cylinder assemblies. Cylinders include their keys or electronic credentials; their detainers (mechanical pins, levers, discs) or electronic control device; and their cylinder tailpiece or cam or electronic output port.

ANSI/BHMA A156.31-2024

Standard for Electric Strikes and Frame Mounted Actuators

ANSI/BHMA A156.31 establishes requirements for Electric Strikes and Frame Mounted Actuators, including operational tests. Tests described in this Standard are performed under laboratory conditions. In actual usage, results vary because of installation, maintenance and environmental conditions. Tests to evaluate decorative and protective finishes for these products are described in ANSI/BHMA A156.18 for Materials and Finishes, and are required to complete certification.