The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) recently published a new American National Standard—ANSI/BHMA A156.42, Acoustic Performance Rating for Operational Noise of Architectural Hardware.

This important addition establishes methods for defining levels of acoustic performance in a wide range of architectural hardware products.

As the first BHMA standard to specifically address sound performance, A156.42 provides guidance for evaluating the operational noise associated with hardware such as bored locks, exit hardware, interconnected locks, mortise locks, and multipoint locks, and latches—components that often play a critical role in building functionality and comfort, especially at hospitals, long-term care facilities, offices, libraries, and educational institutions.

The new standard complements existing BHMA product standards by focusing solely on acoustic considerations, enabling more holistic decision-making during product selection and specification. To access the full ANSI/BHMA A156.42 standard, visit here.