the BHMA Certified® SecureHome™ Label
Look for the Label
Spring is the perfect time to focus on home improvement,
starting with finding the right door hardware.
While home security is typically top-of-mind, door hardware such as locksets and deadbolts are generally overlooked and purchasing new locks is not a simple decision. Does it need to withstand repeated, long-term use? Or heavy impact, in the case of an intruder?
Or, does the door’s hardware need to be capable of withstanding certain weather conditions?
Developed by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association, the BHMA Certified® SecureHome™ label makes it easier for your customers to find the right lock for their specific needs. Only products with this label have been rigorously certified to the highest performance standards when it comes to security, durability and finish. BHMA® is the only organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop and maintain these standards. Products without the SecureHome™ label are not assured to have been tested and certified by a third-party laboratory.
You can help your customers make the grade with their door hardware by offering suggestions on what type of lock is needed. Three key areas for consideration are:
Security: What level of security are they seeking?
Durability: Will the door be in a high traffic area of the home that receives repeated use?
Finish: Will the finish be exposed to the elements – indoor, such as humidity – or outdoor, such as sun or salt water?
Shoppers should select the lock or deadbolt that is rated highly in the area(s) most important to them. For example, when looking for a new interior lock, some people may not require the same rating for security or finish as they would for a lock being installed on your front door. When a customer is ready to make a selection, it is important to check the ratings. Once a lock or deadbolt is tested to ANSI/BHMA® standards for security, durability and finish, it is given a rating of Good (C), Better (B) or Best (A) in each area based on its performance during testing. The rating system is defined by progressive levels of performance requirements.t is important to note that any product bearing the BHMA® Certified® SecureHome™ label has been tested to the highest quality standards in its category, and is of utmost quality regardless of the rating combination on its packaging. “As the experts in the industry, we recognize that it isn’t ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to hardware for the home,” says Ralph Vasami, the executive director of BHMA®. “Every household has a different need – the BHMA Certified ® SecureHome™ label not only makes it easy for homeowners to determine which locks or deadbolts have been certified, but also helps them assess which products are the best fit for their specific needs.”
BHMA® recognizes that the requirements for residential products differ enough from those of commercial products to have separate standards. As a result, BHMA® has a separate industry certification program for residential hardware. Any product bearing the BHMA® Certified SecureHome™ label has been tested and audited according to these standards—the highest in the industry—to ensure product performance.
“In buying products with the BHMA Certified® SecureHome™ label,” Vasami affirms, “customers can be assured that they are purchasing products that have been tested and certified to stringent performance standards when it comes to the safety of their homes, and that the hardware will perform to their expectations.”
To learn more about BHMA Certified® locksets and deadbolts, or the BHMA Certified® SecureHome™ label, watch the short video at http://securehome.org/learningthelabel/ or visit www.securehome.org.
The rating system is defined by progressive levels of performance requirements. Be sure to advise shoppers to select the lock or deadbolt that is rated highly in the area(s) most important to them.
To learn more about BHMA Certified® locksets and deadbolts, or the BHMA Certified® SecureHome ™ label, visit www.securehome.org.