Fire Doors / tradefit Grading

Introduction

In recent years, there have been significant updates regarding the selection, testing, maintenance, and fitting of hardware, especially highlighted by the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry. This has shifted the landscape of responsibility, with more focus on individual accountability for their actions.

To assist you in finding the appropriate hardware for your environment, we have developed a grading system. The tradefit grading system of TF GRADE uses simple grades from TF1 – “Light Duty” to TF4 – “Severe Duty”, making it easier to choose the right hardware based on the environment, its likely usage, and legal requirements.

Across the tradefit site you will find our carefully selected ranges, kits and bundles. These kits can be easily selected, narrowing down your search using our filters (for example in our fire door kits or Overhead door closer sections).

This together with our guides, articles, specialist team and professional 3rd party advice where required you can ensure that you select the appropriate hardware for your project.

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Other Governing Standards - for further consideration

To help you we have used the following icons throughout our ranges to help with product selection.

Additional Information as Referenced *

*1 Adjusted Door Weight

When specifying a hinge, it’s critical that you check the weight of the door and ensure that the hinge can carry that weight. However, there are some additional factors to consider too. The concept of adjusted door weight refers to the additional strain put on a hinge by these factors.

Door Width

It’s obvious that a wider door will put more strain on a hinge than a narrow door. As a simple rule though, if the door height is at least twice the width then there is no additional side loading that needs accounting for. However, if the door width is more than half the height, then that extra width increases the door’s ‘adjusted weight’. For instance, as soon as a 2M high door is wider than 1M, you need to allow extra hinge weight loading to cope with this. The table below will show how the adjusted weight increases with the width of a 2M high door;

Height (mm)	Width (mm)	Additional 'Adjusted' Weight
2000	Up to 1000	0
2000	1050	10%
2000	1100	18%
2000	1150	26%
2000	1200	33%
2000	1250	40%

Door Closers

We often fit door closers without realising that they put additional strain on the door’s hinges. To calculate this, firstly you need to know if the door closer has a back check function or not. A door closer without a back check adds 20% to the doors adjusted weight. A door closer with a back check adds a massive 75% to the doors adjusted weight! For example, an 838 x 1981 x 45mm door weighing 55kg with a back check closer fitted will have the following adjusted weight; 55kg + 75% (41.25kg) = 96.25kg

Extra Heavy Use or Abuse

Finally, an allowance is sometimes made for extra heavy use doors of an additional 10% on the adjusted door weight.

As another example, a 1150 x 2040 x 45mm door weighing 80kg in a busy office lobby with a non-back check closer fitted will have the following adjusted door weight; 80kg + 23% for extra width (18.4kg) + 20% for the door closer (16kg) + 10% for extra heavy use (8kg) = 122.4kg

Once you have taken all these factors into consideration, you can now decide what grade of hinge is required. We will be publishing details of the BS EN 1935 hinge grading system on this blog soon!

Please do get in touch if we can help you further. We are trade only suppliers to commercial and refurbishment contractors, fire door manufacturers and installers, facilities management and maintenance companies.

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*2 BS EN 1634-1 – Fire Resistance Tests for Door and Shutter Assemblies

Fire-resisting doors serve three main purposes in a building:

• To restrict the initial development of a fire – A correctly fitted and functioning fire-resisting door can help to suppress a fire by restricting the amount of oxygen available to it.
• To restrict the spread of fire – A closed fire-resisting door is designed to endure direct attack by fire for a specified period of time. This should restrict the spread of fire through the building, gaining time for evacuation of the premises and for active fire protection resources such as sprinklers and fire fighters to perform their functions.
• To protect escape routes – The provision of protected escape routes is a requirement of Building Regulations. Any door opening on to an escape route or operating across an escape route is likely to be designated as a fire-resisting door, to ensure that persons using the route have protection from fire while they escape.

After evacuation, fire-resisting doors should continue to provide some protection for fire fighters entering the building to extinguish the fire.

Under BS EN 1634-1 test regimes, a door withstands fire attack for a period of time, for example 36 minutes or 67 minutes, and for the purposes of regulations is then described as E30, E60, etc. (BS EN 1634-1). Withstanding fire attack means not allowing flames or hot gases to pass. In other words, the doorset maintains its fire integrity.

Classification

By using this EN standard, the performance of building hardware for fire-resisting doors and emergency escape doors can be quantified in any or all the following areas:

• Category of use
• Durability
• Door size/mass
• Fire resistance
• Safety
• Corrosion resistance
• Security

All new European building hardware standards use a classification system in which the first seven digits are common. Each digit relates to a feature of the product measured against the requirements of the relevant standard. It is digit 4 that relates to the fire resistance of the product, they are graded as follows:

Fire resistance

Grade 0	Not approved for use on fire / smoke door assemblies
Grade A	Suitable for smoke door assemblies – subject to test evidence
Grade B	Suitable for fire and smoke door assemblies – based on a test in accordance with BS EN 1634-1

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*3 BS EN 1935 Single axis hinges

This standard provides details on product types, classification by use, test cycles, door mass, corrosion resistance, as well as definitions, product performance requirements, test apparatus, test methods and marking of products. In addition, the published standard includes annexes with details for special applications.

With licence number 2003/SK0014. British Standards Institution publications can be obtained from BSI Customer Services, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL Tel +44 (0)20 8996 9001 Email: cservices@bsi-global.com.

Scope

This European standard specifies requirements for single-axis hinges for windows and doors opening in one direction only, whose rotation axis is no more than 30mm from the face of the sash or door. It covers both fixed pin and lift-off hinges, and contains additional requirements for hinges intended for use on fire doors.

Classification:

BS EN 1935 classifies door furniture by using an 8 digit coding system. A similar classification applies to all building hardware product standards so that complementary items of hardware can be specified to, for instance, a common level of corrosion resistance, category of use, etc. Each digit refers to a particular feature of the product measured against the standard’s performance requirements.

Digit 1 – Category of use

Four categories of use are identified

Grade 1	Light Duty
Grade 2	Medium Duty
Grade 3	Heavy Duty
Grade 4	Severe Duty

Digit 2 - Durability

Three grades are identified for single-axis hinges manufactured to this European standard:

Grade 3	10 000 test cycles, for light duty hinges on windows only
Grade 4	25 000 test cycles, for light duty hinges on windows and doors
Grade 7	200 000 test cycles, for medium. heavy and severe duty hinges on doors only

Digit 3 – Test door mass

Eight door mass grades related to single-axis hinges are identified in this European standard as shown in Table 1.

Digit 4 – Suitability for fire/smoke door use

Two grades of suitability are identified for single-axis hinges:

Grade 0	Not suitable for fire/smoke resistant door assemblies
Grade 1	Suitable for fire/smoke resistant door assemblies subject to satisfactory assessment of the contribution of the single-axis hinge to the fire resistance of the specified fire/smoke door assemblies. Such assessment is beyond the scope of this European standard (see EN 1634-1).

Digit 5 – Safety

Single-axis hinges are required to satisfy the essential requirements of safety in use. Therefore, only grade 1 is identified.

Digit 6 – Corrosion resistance

Five grades of corrosion resistance are identified in accordance with EN 1670:

Grade 0	No defined corrosion resistance.
Grade 1	Mild resistance.
Grade 2	Moderate resistance.
Grade 3	High resistance.
Grade 4	Very high resistance.

Digit 7 – Security

Two grades of security are identified for single-axis hinges:

Grade 0	Not suitable for use on burglar-resistant door assemblies
Grade 1	suitable for applications requiring a degree of security. Annex C of this European standard details the hinge grade to use for the level of security required.

Digit 8 – Hinge grade

Fourteen grades are identified in this European standard and are detailed in Table 2. The full classification is shown in the standard.

CE Marking

Single axis hinges intended for use on fire resisting doors and smoke control doors are covered by a Construction Products Directive mandate issued by the European Commission. Consequently, this standard is regarded as a “harmonised” standard and compliance with it, supported by suitable evidence, allows the application of the CE mark.

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*4 BS en 12209 – locks & Latches Legislation

BS EN 12209 Building Hardware – Mechanically operated locks, latches and locking plates

Fundamental to this standard is a comprehensive classification system for assessing the wide range of products needed to satisfy the diverse requirements of the European market. Features assessed include normal use (and abuse) forces, long-term durability, fire/smoke resistance, corrosion and temperature resistance and security, both manipulative and physical. In addition, it contains information on marking, including CE marking because BS EN 12209 is a harmonised standard.

Extracts reproduced with the permission of the DHF – Door and Hardware Federation.

The British Standards Institution publications can be obtained from BSI Customer Services, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL Tel +44 (0)20 8996 9001 Email: cservices@bsi-global.com.

Scope

This standard covers requirements and test methods for all types of mechanical lock or latch (including associated or separately supplied locking plates), intended for use on pedestrian doors in buildings but excludes electro-mechanically operated locks and striking plates, multi-point locks and their locking plates, locks for windows, padlocks, locks for safes, furniture locks and prison locks.

Classification:

BS EN 12209 classifies mechanically operated locks, latches and locking plates using an 11 digit coding system. This has proved necessary in order to provide a proper assessment of all the varied features of products for specific markets within Europe. It should be noted that to avoid a greater proliferation of boxes, certain features have been “doubled up”: e.g. durability and durability with side load; door mass and closing force; corrosion resistance and temperature resistance. The system is comprehensive but it has led to the use of letters (rather than numbers) in certain boxes, since there can only be one digit in each classification box. A similar classification system applies to all building hardware product standards (at least for the first 7 boxes) to aid meaningful comparisons with related products.

Digit 1 - Category of use

Three categories of use are identified:

Grade 1	Low frequency of use by people with a high incentive to exercise care and a small chance of misuse, e.g. internal residential doors
Grade 2	Medium frequency of use by people with some incentive to exercise care but where there is some chance of misuse, e.g. internal office doors
Grade 3	High frequency of use by public or others with little incentive to exercise care and with a high chance of misuse, e.g. public doors.

Digit 2 - Durability

Twelve grades are identified with minimum figures for deadbolt and snib operation, and latch bolt operation with and without side load, as shown. The side load is applied to the latch bolt when it is being withdrawn.

Digit 3 - Door mass and closing force

Nine grades are identified with maximum figures for closing force at various door masses as shown. Note: closing force is from a standing start: i.e. fully extended latch bolt in contact with striking plate at start of test.

Digit 4 - Fire resistance

Two grades are identified:

Grade 0	Not approved for use on fire/smoke door assemblies
Grade 1	Suitable for use on fire/smoke door assemblies tested to EN 1634-1 etc.

Note 1. A grade 1 classification means only that the lock has been designed for use on fire/smoke control doors; the actual fire performance achieved (e.g. fire integrity of 30 minutes on a partially glazed timber door etc.) will be contained in a separate fire test report.

Digit 5 - Safety

No requirement, but note: a lock or latch conforming to this standard can, at the same time, also be part of an exit device conforming to EN 179 or EN 1125.

Digit 6 - Corrosion resistance

Eight grades are identified with neutral salt-spray (NSS) corrosion resistance grades from EN 1670:1998, with and without temperature resistance as shown in the table beside.

Digit 7 - Security and drill resistance

Seven grades are identified with minimum figures for requirements relating to physical attack, with or without drilling of the lock case, as shown in the table beside.

Digit 8 - Field of door application

Fifteen grades are identified for differing applications – hinged or sliding doors with rim or mortice locks with either key-less egress from inside or key locking from both sides. The grading determines which application is appropriate. In addition, there is a requirement that lock/latch should not be removable from outside or, for grades K to R, from inside using “standard” tools. Grades H and P require support for the lock case when installed.

Digit 9 - Type of key operation and locking

Nine grades are identified for differing types of key operation. The grading determines how the lock is assessed for deadlocking requirement as shown. In addition, there is a maximum key torque operating requirement of 1.5 Nm and a minimum key strength requirement of 2.5 Nm:

Grade 0	Not applicable
Grade A	Cylinder lock or latch; manually locking
Grade B	Cylinder lock or latch; automatically locking; – grade C: cylinder lock or latch; manually locking with intermediate locking
Grade D	Lever lock or latch; manually locking
Grade E	Lever lock or latch; automatically locking
Grade F	Lever lock or latch; manually locking with intermediate locking
Grade G	Lock or latch without key operation; manually locking;
Grade H	Lock without key operation; automatically locking

Digit 10 - Type of spindle operation

Five grades are identified:

Grade 0	Lock without follower
Grade 1	Lock with sprung lever or knob
Grade 2	Lock with light unsprung lever
Grade 3	Lock with heavy unsprung lever
Grade 4	Lock with manufacturer’s own specification furniture

Digit 11 - Key identification

Nine grades are identified relating to the number of differs and levers. Grade 0 relates to a latch with no locking action.

CE marking

Mechanically operated locks and latches intended for use on fire/smoke control doors within the EEA* are covered by a Construction Products Directive mandate issued by the European Commission. Consequently, this standard is regarded as “harmonised” and compliance with it, supported by suitable evidence, allows for the application of the CE mark.

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*5 BS EN 1154 & BS EN 1155 – door closers legislation

BS EN 1154: Controlled Door Closing Devices

The standard provides details on product types, classification by use, test cycles, door mass, corrosion resistance, as well as definitions, product performance requirements, test apparatus, test methods and marking of products. In addition, the published standards include annexes illustrating the various points made through diagrams and supplementary text.

Extracts reproduced with the permission of the DHF – Door and Hardware Federation, the British Standards Institution publications can be obtained from BSI Customer Services, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL Tel +44 (0)20 8996 9001 Email: cservices@bsi-global.com.

Scope

Products included within the standard are illustrated below and include a wider range than covered by BS6459.

Classification:

BS EN 1154 classifies door furniture by using a 6 digit coding system. A similar classification applies to all building hardware product standards so that complementary items of hardware can be specified to, for instance, a common level of corrosion resistance, category of use, etc. Each digit refers to a particular feature of the product measured against the standard’s performance requirements.

Digit 1 – Category of use

For all internal and external doors for use by the public, and others, with little incentive to take care, i.e. where there is some chance of misuse of the door.

Grade 3	For closing doors from at least 105° open
Grade 4	For closing doors from 180° open

Note 1: Grade 4 classification assumes standard installation according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Note 2: For applications subject to extremes of abuse, or for limitations of opening angle, door closers incorporating a backcheck function or provision of a separate door stop should be considered.

Digit 2 – Number of test cycles

Only one test duration is identified for door closers manufactured to this standard:

Grade 8

500 000 test cycles

Digit 3 – Test door mass/size

Seven test door mass grades and related door closer power sizes are identified according to table 1 of this standard. Where a door closer provides a range of power sizes both the minimum and the maximum sizes shall be identified.

Digit 4 – Fire behaviour

Two grades of fire behaviour are identified for door closing devices manufactured to this standard:

Grade 0	Not suitable for use on fire/smoke door assemblies
Grade 1	Suitable for use on fire/smoke door assemblies, subject to satisfactory assessment of the contribution of the door closer to the fire resistance of specified fire/smoke assemblies. Such assessment is outside the scope of this European Standard (see EN 1634-1).

Digit 5 – Safety

All door closers are required to satisfy the Essential Requirement of safety in use. Therefore only grade 1 is identified.

Digit 6 – Corrosion resistance

Five grades of corrosion resistance are identified according to EN 1670:

Grade 0	No defined corrosion resistance
Grade 1	Mild resistance
Grade 2	Moderate resistance
Grade 3	High resistance
Grade 4	Very high resistance

CE marking

Door closers intended for use on fire resisting doors and smoke control doors are covered by a Construction Products Directive mandate issued by the European Commission. Consequently, this standard is regarded as a “harmonised” standard and compliance with it, supported by suitable evidence, allows the application of the CE mark.

BS EN 1155 – Electrically powered hold-open devices for swing doors

The standard provides details on product types, classification by use, test cycles, door mass, corrosion resistance, as well as definitions, product performance requirements, test apparatus, test methods and marking of products. In addition, the published standard includes annexes illustrating the various points made through diagrams and supplementary text.

Extracts reproduced with the permission of the DHF – Door and Hardware Federation, British Standards Institution publications can be obtained from BSI Customer Services, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL Tel +44 (0)20 8996 9001 Email: cservices@bsi-global.com.

Scope

This European standard specifies requirements for separate hold-open devices and also for hold-open mechanisms incorporated in a door closer. Electrically powered hold-open devices for swing doors manufactured according to this European standard can hold a swing door at a fixed position or can allow the door to swing freely. In each case interruption of the electrical supply will cause the controlled door to close positively. Electrically powered hold-open devices manufactured in accordance with this European standard are recommended for use wherever there is a requirement for reliable hold-open and release of self-closing fire/smoke door assemblies.

Whilst these devices can incorporate smoke or fire detection elements, the performance of those particular elements is outside the scope of this European standard.

Classification:

BS EN 1155 classifies door furniture by using an 6 digit coding system. A similar classification applies to all building hardware product standards so that complementary items of hardware can be specified to, for instance, a common level of corrosion resistance, category of use, etc. Each digit refers to a particular feature of the product measured against the standard’s performance requirements.

Digit 1 – Category of use

Only one category of use is identified for electrically powered hold-open devices.

Grade 3

For doors for use by the public, and others, with little incentive to take care, i.e. where there is some chance of misuse of the door.

Note: for electrically powered hold-open and free-swing door closers, where the opening angle is limited by the device, provision of a separate door stop should be considered.

Digit 2 – Number of test cycles

Two test duration are identified for devices manufactured to this European standard:

Grade 5	50 000 test cycles. For all electrically powered hold-open devices
Grade 8	500 000 test cycles. For all electrically powered hold-open and free-swing door closers and devices that contain operating arms.

Digit 3 – Test door mass

Five door mass grades and related hold-open power sizes are identified according to Table 1 of this European standard.

Where an electrically powered hold-open device is suitable for a range of door closer power sizes, both the minimum and maximum power sizes shall be shown.

Digit 4 – Fire resistance

Only one grade of fire resistance is identified for electrically powered hold-open devices manufactured to this European standard:

Grade 1

Suitable for use on fire/smoke door assemblies subject to satisfactory assessment of the contribution of the electrically powered hold-open device to the fire resistance of specified fire/smoke door assemblies. Such assessment is outside the scope of this European standard (see EN 1634-1).

Digit 5 – Safety

Electrically powered hold-open devices are required to satisfy the Essential Requirement of safety in use. Therefore only grade 1 is identified.

Digit 6 – Corrosion resistance

Five grades of corrosion resistance are identified in accordance with EN 1670:

Grade 0	No defined corrosion resistance
Grade 1	Mild resistance
Grade 2	Moderate resistance
Grade 3	High resistance
Grade 4	Very high resistance.

CE Marking

Electrically powered hold open devices intended for use on fire resisting doors and smoke control doors are covered by a Construction Products Directive mandate issued by the European Commission. Consequently, this standard is regarded as a “harmonised” standard and compliance with it, supported by suitable evidence, allows the application of the CE mark.

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*6 BS EN 1906:2010 – Door Furniture

BS EN 1906 Building Hardware – Lever handles and knob furniture

This standard details performance requirements and test methods in relation to corrosion resistance, security and other aspects pertaining to the application of lock and latch furniture.

Extracts reproduced with the permission of the DHF – Door and Hardware Federation, the British Standards Institution publications can be obtained from BSI Customer Services, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL Tel +44 (0)20 8996 9001 Email: cservices@bsi-global.com.

Scope

The European standard specifies the performance requirements and test methods (i.e. durability, static strength, operating torque, corrosion, safety, etc.) for sprung and unsprung lever handles and knobs for doors on backplates or roses. It applies only to lever handles and knobs that operate a lock or latch. The standard has 4 grades of performance. Compliance with the standard ensures a margin of strength in excess of that needed for normal operation. The standard has additional graded safety requirements where a high risk of falling exists.

Classification:

BS EN 1906 classifies door furniture by using an 8 digit coding system. A similar classification applies to all building hardware product standards so that complementary items of hardware can be specified to, for instance, a common level of corrosion resistance, category of use, etc. Each digit refers to a particular feature of the product measured against the standard’s performance requirements.

Digit 1 - Category of use

Four grades are identified:

Grade 1	medium frequency of use with a high incentive to exercise care and a small chance of misuse, e.g. internal residential doors
Grade 2	medium frequency of use by people with some incentive to exercise care but where there is some chance of misuse, e.g. internal office doors
Grade 3	high frequency of use by public or others with little incentive to exercise care and with a high chance of misuse, e.g. public office doors
Grade 4	high frequency of use on doors which are subject to frequent violent use, e.g. football stadiums, oil rigs, barracks, public toilets, etc

Digit 2 – Durability

Two grades of durability are identified:

Grade 6	medium use – 100 000 cycles
Grade 7	high use – 200 000 cycles

The tests undertaken to achieve these grades involve the application of additional forces to the door furniture in order to simulate the conditions of use likely to be experienced in the field.

Digit 3 – Test door mass

No requirement

Digit 4 – Fire resistance

Two grades of fire resistance are identified:

Grade 0	not approved for use on fire/smoke door assemblies
Grade 1	suitable for use on fire/smoke door assemblies

Note: A Grade 1 classification means only that the furniture has been designed for use on fire/smoke control doors; the actual fire performance achieved (e.g. fire integrity of 30 minutes on a partially glazed timber door etc.) will be contained in a separate fire test report.

Digit 5 – Safety

Two grades of safety are identified:

Grade 0	normal use
Grade 1	safety application – to qualify for this grade, handles must have high strength handle-to-plate and plate-to-door fixing and/or handle-to-spindle fixing, such that they would withstand a person grabbing in order to prevent falling. It is recommended that only Safety Grade 1 furniture is used at the top of cellar steps or other staircases

Digit 6 – Corrosion resistance

Five grades are identified according to EN 1670:

Grade 0	no defined corrosion resistance
Grade 1	mild resistance – minimum requirement for internal use
Grade 2	moderate resistance
Grade 3	high resistance – minimum requirement for external use
Grade 4	very high resistance – recommended for use in exposed marine atmospheres or very polluted industrial environments

Note: Products intended to develop a natural patina (such as bronze or brass) are not required to comply with any requirements.

Digit 7 - Security

Four grades are identified:

Grade 0	not approved for use on burglary resistant doors
Grade 1	mild burglary resistance
Grade 2	moderate burglary resistance
Grade 3	high burglary resistance
Grade 4	extra high burglary resistanceNote: The main requirements include resistance to drilling, close fitting plates or escutcheons to help protect the lock and support the cylinder. They must be resistant to removal from the outside of the door and make provision to minimise the cylinder projection to a maximum of 3mm. Full details of the requirements can be found in BS EN 1906

Digit 8 - Type of operation

Three operation types are identified:

Type A	spring assisted furniture
Type B	spring loaded furniture
Type U	unsprung furniture

Example:

The following marking denotes a lever handle for high frequency use on a door that is also subject to frequent violent usage. There is no classification for door mass, but it is suitable for use on fire/smoke door assemblies, and for where safety is important. It has a very high corrosion resistance suitable for external doors. It has high burglary resistance and is of the unsprung type.

Marking

Packaging, labelling, or the product itself should be marked with the following information:

1. (a) manufacturer’s name or trademark or other means of positive identification
2. (b) product model identification
3. (c) classification as detailed above
4. (d) the number of this European standard
5. (e) the year and week of final assembly by manufacturer. Note: this information can be in coded form.

Fire Door Assemblies

Lock and latch furniture for use on fire/smoke doors requires a set of lock and latch furniture to comply with appropriate requirements of the European standard. In addition – For lock and latch furniture to be declared suitable for use on fire/smoke door assemblies, a third set of lock or latch furniture should be incorporated in a door assembly that has satisfied the criteria of a fire test according to BS EN 1634-1.

This furniture should be fitted only to an identical design, shape and size of door assemblies compliant with specific fire test requirements.

Specification Issues

Security – Security lock furniture is one element of a burglary resistant door assembly that includes the door leaf and frame, lock, hinges and the method of fixing. Main design requirements include the use of at least two through-door fixings which cannot be detached from the outside. Requirements also include the use of an internal plate with a cylinder aperture that closely matches the cylinder profile and that the cylinder does not project more than 3mm from the face of the plate. Full details of the requirements can be found in BS EN 1906.

Springing – Type A furniture has light springing only and is dependent upon the lock/latch springing to fully return the lever to the ‘at rest’ position. Type B furniture has integral springing capable of returning the lever to its rest position, whilst Type U is dependent wholly upon the lock/latch to return it to its rest position. It is essential, therefore, to select the correct lock/latch to suit the associated furniture.

Application – It is most important to specify the correct grade of door furniture for the intended application. For example, Category of Use Grade1 levers are most suited for light residential use, whereas Grade 4 door furniture is the most appropriate choice for buildings such as schools and sports stadia where there will be a high level of use, and possible abuse.

CE Marking

BS EN 1906 has not been designated as a harmonised product standard under the Construction Products Directive and therefore CE marking of such lever handles and knobs is NOT permitted.

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*7 BS EN 179 (2008) & BS EN 1125 (2008) – Panic Devices Legislation

BS EN 179 – Emergency exit devices

This standard covers devices to be used in emergency situations where people are familiar with the emergency exit and its hardware. Because of this, a panic situation is most unlikely to develop. Devices operated by a lever handle or push pad may therefore be used.

BS EN 1125 – Panic exit devices

Experience relating to escape from buildings and general safety have made it desirable that doors at final exits in public buildings, places of entertainment, shops, etc should be fitted with panic devices operated by a horizontal bar. The emphasis for products covered by this standard is on safe exit rather than security.

British Standards Institution publications can be obtained from:

389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 9001 Email: cservices@bsi-global.com

Scope – BS EN 179

The main purpose of the performance requirements of this standard is to give safe and effective escape through a doorway with one single operation to release the device. However, escape can require prior knowledge of the operation of the device. This is consequently considered suitable for locked doors on escape routes only where panic situations are not foreseen.

Scope – BS EN 1125

The main purpose of the performance requirements of this standard is to give safe and effective escape. This should be possible through a doorway with minimum effort and without prior knowledge of the device. I.E for locked doors on escape routes where panic situations can be foreseen.

Classification:

BS EN 1125 and BS EN 179 classify panic and emergency exit devices by using a 10 digit coding system. A similar classification applies to all building hardware product standards so that complementary items of hardware can be specified to. For instance, a common level of corrosion resistance, category of use, etc. Each digit refers to a particular feature of the product measured against the standard’s performance requirements and test methods.

Digit 1 – Category of use

Only one category is identified, that being – grade 3. It states: high frequency of use by public and others with little incentive to exercise care.

Digit 2 – Number of test cycles

Two categories of durability are defined:

Grade 6	100 000 cycles
Grade 7	200 000 cycles

Digit 3 – Test door mass

Three categories of test door mass are identified:

Grade 5	up to 100 kg
Grade 6	up to 200 kg
Grade 7	over 200 kg

Digit 4 – Fire resistance

Three categories of fire door resistance are identified:

Grade 0	Not approved for use on fire/smoke door assemblies
Grade A	Suitable for use on smoke door assemblies, subject to satisfactory assessment of the contribution of the panic/emergency device to the smoke resistance of specified smoke door assemblies
Grade B	Suitable for use on fire/smoke door assemblies, subject to satisfactory assessment of the contribution of the panic/emergency device to the fire resistance of specified fire/smoke door assemblies.

Digit 5 – Safety

All panic and emergency devices have a critical safety function therefore only the top grade – 1 – is identified

Digit 6 – Corrosion resistance

Two grades of corrosion resistance are identified according to EN 1670:

Grade 3	high resistance (96 salt spray hours)
Grade 4	very high resistance (240 salt spray hours)

Digit 7 – Security

Products covered by BS EN 179 have 4 identified categories and generally have the opportunity of greater security against forced opening than devices covered by BS EN 1125.

BS EN 179

Grade 2	1 000 N
Grade 3	2 000 N
Grade 4	3 000 N
Grade 5	5 000 N

BS EN 1125

Only one category of security is identified:

Grade 2

1000 N panic devices are primarily for the operation of a door from the inside. Safety considerations will always be given priority over security.

Digit 8 – Projection of device

Two grades are identified relating to the projection of the device from the door face:

Grade 1	projection up to 150 mm (large projection)
Grade 2	projection up to 100 mm (standard projection)

Digit 9 – Type of device

Two categories are identified for each standard:

BS EN 179

Type A	emergency device with lever handle operation
Type B	emergency device with push or pull pad operation

BS EN 1125

Type A	panic device with push bar operation
Type B	panic device with touch bar operation

Digit 10 – Field of application

EN179

A: Outward opening	Single & double exit doors; active & inactive leaf
B: Outward opening	Single exit door only
C: Outward opening	Double exit door; inactive door
D: Inward opening	Single exit only

EN1125

A: Outward opening	Single & double exit doors; active & inactive leaf
B: Outward opening	Single exit door only
C: Outward opening	Double exit door; inactive door

CE Marking

Panic and emergency exit devices intended for use on escape route doors are covered by a Construction Products Directive mandate issued by the European Commission. Consequently, these standards are regarded as “harmonised” standards. Compliance with them should be supported by suitable evidence, allowing for the application of the CE mark.

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*8 10 Equality Act, AD M, BS 8300

Approved Document M (AD M)

Door Opening Hardware Guidance on the specification for door hardware falls into 2 main categories:

• ability to grip and operate the hardware
• ability to visually locate the hardware

Ability to grip and operate the hardware

The requirement within AD M is that “where fitted with a latch, the door opening furniture can be operated with one hand using a closed fist, e.g. a lever handle” (AD M 2.17). Whilst no specific dimensional requirements are laid down in AD M, such recommendations are covered in BS 8300.

It is a requirement of AD M that external handles (i.e. those used to open manual external doors), should not be ‘cold to the touch’. Whilst most people will find a bare metal handle unpleasant to grip in the depths of winter, for some, particularly elderly people, it can be quite painful.

Building Regulations in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Technical Handbooks are published to guide specifiers in Scotland and Northern Ireland in much the same way as AD M but are not as detailed, offering little or no guidance in the specification of door hardware although the amended Technical Booklet (Part R) published in Northern Ireland does contain specific information related to handrailing and sanitary fittings. In most cases the Handbooks for Scotland refer specifiers to the guidance contained in BS 8300.

BS 8300:2009

Door Opening Hardware BS 8300 is more detailed in its recommendations, prescribing dimensional parameters for locks & latches, lever and pull handle furniture.

Locks & latches

To improve physical and visual access to the lever and lock keyway, the distance from the edge of the door and between the lever and keyway should be maximised; “the cylinder should either be above the lever handle, or the minimum distance between the handle and the keyway .. should be 72mm.” (BS 8300 – 6.5.4)

It also requires a backset of 54mm minimum (from edge of door to the lock case operating centre – see diagram opposite).

Lever handles

The principal requirements are that “where possible, door opening furniture with a lever action should be used without tightly grasping it or twisting the wrist e.g. by using a closed fist”. It also recommends levers return to the door face at the open end to aid the grip and avoid catching clothing. Dimensional characteristics for lever handles are covered by Fig. 17 of BS 8300. See diagram opposite.

Whilst lever handles are the preferred solution, there are circumstances where other issues can take precedence. The requirement to prevent self-harm is one such issue where the risk associated with the lever furniture takes precedence over disabled access. Such situations will be covered by the provision of an Access Statement at the planning stage.

Pull handles

Recommendations are included concerning the positioning and size of pull handles:

• Minimum diameter 19mm
• Projection from door face 45mm
• Recommendations also include the provision of a horizontal pull handle on doors fitted with a latch to enable wheelchair users to pull the door closed. See diagram opposite.

Grab rails

Part M3 of Approved Document M of The Building Regulations covers the provision of sanitary facilities. Whilst not specifically part of the Orbis Commercial range, we have a full range of grab rails and disabled fittings.