Fire testing.

BS 476 : Part 22 : 1987, ‘Method for determination of the fire resistance of non-loadbearing elements of construction’ includes fire test methods for complete door assemblies or doorsets. Alternatively testing can be undertaken to European Standard, BS EN 1634-1: 2014.

Utilising the methods detailed in Part 22, “competent authorities”, such as UKAS accredited laboratories, can establish the integrity and insulation value of a door “assembly” (comprising of door leaf, frame, glazing, ironmongery and seals) in terms of minutes. The test itself consists of installing the doorset or assembly within a wall that is mounted on to the front of a 3m2 furnace. During the test, the furnace follows a strict ‘time/temperature curve’ and the test continues until is evident, thus determining integrity in minutes:

• Sustained flaming for a period of 10 seconds or more
• Glowing embers or flaming of a cotton pad applied to cracks or fissures
• Gaps sufficient to allow the passage of specified gap gauges

BS EN 1634-1 : 2014, ‘Fire resistance tests for doors and shutter assemblies’ is the European standard for testing fire door assemblies. This can also be used as the basis for testing and is referred to in the current Part B of the Building Regulations accepting the EN test standard for compliance.

Testing under BS EN 1634 is more onerous than under BS 476, this is particularly noticeable during the early stages of the test due to the different method used to measure the furnace temperature. Other noticeable differences are the position of the neutral pressure access and, prior to fire testing, doors are subjected to cyclical operational testing. 

BS EN 1634 testing necessitates a new range of related documentation  including a new harmonised product standard for Fire Resisting Doorsets – BS EN 16034: 2014, and a supporting classification document BS EN  13501-2: 2007 + AI : 2009, these, and other supporting standards, allow doorsets to be sold throughout the EU based on a coding system, reflecting the performance of the overall assembly. Each country will determine what classifications and performance levels are required to comply with local regulations. Testing to BS EN 1634 will also form the basis for CE marking requirements which have  now been adopted in the UK –apply to complete doorsets only, rather than on-site assemblies. CE marking of Fire Resisting Doorsets will be possible from December 2015, with it being a mandatory requirement from December 2018.

Other European standard tests apply for smoke penetration (both ambient and warm) and doorset hardware.