BHMA (Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a private non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the voluntary standardization to develop and maintain performance standards for builder's hardware. ANSI/BHMA standards set forth different product grades for door hardware products. These product grades are defined by progressive levels of performance benchmarks in each applicable standard. The purpose of each is to help identify the quality and durability of locksets through a series of operational and security tests.

So what value does this bring to the consumer?
The process of certifying products is strictly voluntary, yet Kwikset feels there is a certain responsibility to let consumers know what type of product they are purchasing. Here are the standards set by ANSI.

ANSI/BHMA A156.XX designation of Standards for Door Hardware
Deadbolts are covered by standard: A156.5
Locks and Handlesets: A156.2
Interconnected: A156.12
Finishes: A156.18

Each grade specifies minimum acceptable requirements for:

Operation i.e.: key torque; cycles
Security i.e.: pull strength, impact resistance
Finish

Our products section can help you to identify the grade that has been given to each of our products.

For more information about Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association visit their web site at www.buildershardware.com

Door Hardware functions

Exterior   Locking These door hardware products will provide a locking function in the way of a "deadlatch" or "deadbolt" that keeps the door from being opened on the exterior side of the door. They can come keyed on the exterior side with a turnbutton or thumbturn on the interior side or keyed on both the interior and exterior sides. Examples Single Cylinder Deadbolt A single cylinder deadbolt is typically used on a front or back exterior door and is operated with a key from the exterior of the home and a thumbturn from the interior. Double Cylinder Deadbolt A double cylinder deadbolt is typically used on a front or back exterior door and is operated with a key from both the exterior and interior of the home. Double cylinder deadbolts are recommended when a window is in close proximity to the door. The interior keyway prevents an intruder from accessing your home by breaking the glass and turning the thumb turn to open the door. Handleset A handleset is operated with a key from the exterior of the home and a thumbturn from the interior. Exterior Keyed Knob or Lever These can be used in places such as entry doors, garage doors or in combination with a deadbolt product.

Interior   Locking A type of locking interior door product is most commonly called "privacy" or "bed and bath". This product provides a turn button on the inside and comes with an emergency release on the outside that allows the door to be unlocked by inserting an emergency release tool.   Non-Locking Non-locking products are typically called a passage or hall/closet. These products have a latch that retracts when they are turned and allow entry but do not provide a locking function.   Inactive A product that is considered non-functional is static or stationary. These products do not have a latch and do not turn or perform a function other than for decorative purposes. An example of this type of product is an entrance door handleset that is installed on the stationary double door.

Some styles of Kwikset levers are handed, usually due to a curved design. There are left-handed levers and right-handed levers. To determine the appropriate handing for your door, look at the hinges from the exterior side of the door. If the hinges are on the left, you require a left-handed lever. If the hinges are on the right, you need a right-handed lever.

Kwik-Install is a patent pending device that utilizes pre-installed lead screws and patented alignment plates to significantly reduce installation time and eliminate common mistakes for door hardware installation.

The mechanism that throws the bolt when the knob or lever is turned. There are four types:

Plain Latch 1/2" beveled latch used primarily for interior doors (interior locking and non-locking functions).

Deadlatch 1/2" beveled latch with a deadlocking bar used for keyed functions. The deadlocking bar prevents the latch from being forced back and deters credit card entry.

Deadbolt A 1" throw bolt that locks into position and cannot be forced back. Includes a free turning hardened steel roller to prevent saw through attempts.

Adjustable Latch Most Kwikset products come standard with an adjustable latch, allowing the hardware to be used on doors prepared with either a 2-3/8" backset or a 2-3/4" backset. (The backset is the measurement from the edge of the door to the center of the pre-drilled hole.)

The metal sheet that surrounds the bolt and is mounted to the door edge. There are four types:

Square Square corners

Radius Rounded corners

Drive-in A circular ring around the bolt

Universal Latches that utilize interchangeable faceplates are referred to as universal or 6-way latches. Universal latches include a drive-in latch and both square and radius faceplates that can be attached to the latch to simulate a fixed faceplate latch. The 6-way latch designation comes from the 6 different door requirement combinations that the universal latch will accommodate (i.e. 3 door configurations x two backset options each = 6 ways to utilize).

Kwikset locksets provide automatic adjustment to door thickness within the ranges specified for each product. Most standard doors have a thickness of 1-3/4", however, it is necessary to measure this dimension to determine what your needs are for your door hardware. Please refer to the technical specifications of each of our products to make sure your door and the door hardware you choose are compatible.

?Most doors, excluding custom made doors, come pre-drilled for door hardware. In most cases, Kwikset door hardware will fit your door.
?Most Kwikset door hardware (knobs, levers, and handlesets) fit doors with a 2-1/8" cross bore diameter hole.
?Most deadbolts fit a 1 1/2" cross bore diameter hole.
?The latch hole (on the side) should be 1" in diameter for most products.

Refer to the installation instructions packed with each individual product for specific details.

Kwikset offers products that can be keyed alike. This means that when you purchase new door hardware from Kwikset, you can key it to match your existing Kwikset door hardware. For instance, if you already own a Kwikset keyed product, locksmiths and participating stores can key your new locks to your old key. Additionally, if you have four doors that lead to the outside, you can have one key that opens all doors. Serial numbers are placed on the packaging of keyed product.