Decide whether a proposed automatic operator installation qualifies as low-energy knowing-act (A156.19) or must instead meet full-power sensor-activated (A156.10) requirements.
domain: buildershardware.com (BHMA) · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Identify the intended activation method: manual knowing-act (push plate, wall switch) versus automatic sensor (motion/presence detection).
If activation will be strictly knowing-act, confirm the operator and installation can be specified to ANSI/BHMA A156.19 (low-energy) requirements only.
If a motion sensor will initiate opening rather than a knowing act, recognize the door must instead comply with the more stringent A156.10 (full-power) requirements, including monitored presence sensing and, in most cases, guide rails.
Specify signage matching the actual activation method with wording per the applicable standard's current edition.
Have the installer's compliance documentation state which standard (A156.19 or A156.10) the finished installation was built and inspected to.
Known gotchas
Adding a motion sensor to a door originally designed/installed as low-energy knowing-act (a common later 'convenience' retrofit) pushes the assembly into A156.10 territory, requiring safety hardware that likely isn't present — a frequent finding in AAADM inspections.
'Low energy' is a standards classification tied to activation method, not simply a slower motor — meeting a slower speed alone does not satisfy A156.19 if activation is sensor-based rather than knowing-act.
Both standards are periodically revised, and details like exact required signage wording differ by edition — confirm against the edition referenced in the door's actual listing/installation documentation.
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