Guide to ANSI Codes

ANSI/BHMA Standard A156.23: Electromagnetic Locks

Product	Grade	Remarks
1580 Series	—	This is a performance standard only. There is no grading in this standard.

Testing Criteria

Listed below are only some of the tests and criteria covered in this standard. For simplification, all tests and details of tests are not elaborated on. For exact and complete details of tests, etc. refer to the complete ANSI/BHMA standard.

1. Cycle test

Door shall be opened by pushing on the actuating bar. The door shall then close and latch.

One cycle consists of locking and releasing the door - 250,000 cycles

2. Strength test

Three levels of strength of electromagnetic locks (or rankings) are covered in this standard. This refers to the amount of locking force of the unit.

Force
1,500 pounds of force prior to separation - (ranking)
1,000 pounds of force prior to separation - (ranking)
500 pounds of force prior to separation - (ranking)

3. Dynamic test

Force	Blows
1,500 pounds of force prior to separation - (ranking)	70 foot pounds of force 5 blows
1,000 pounds of force prior to separation - (ranking)	50 foot pounds of force 5 blows
500 pounds of force prior to separation - (ranking)	33 foot pounds of force 5 blows

4.

An electromagnetic lock shall be listed or labeled by a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory, and be subject to a periodic in-plant follow-up inspection service.