Ironmongery can be quite a tricky subject as there are different test standards, key phrases, and terminology to be aware of; CE marking, UKCA marking, British Standards (prefixed by BS), European Standards (prefixed by EN), adopted standards (prefixed by BSEN), harmonised standards, and essential and non-essential.
Here we can see the test standards that require products to marked, and those that don’t. Essential ironmongery must be marked. Essential defined as; products that provide an essential function and positive contribution to the overall fire performance of the system. (non-essential products do not need to be marked)
As you can see from the diagram, each item of hardware on a fire door must have been tested to its recognised standard. Marking isn’t applicable to every product used on a fire door.
CE/UKCA marking is applicable only to those products where the BS EN standard has been harmonised under the Construction Products Regulation or the new UK Designated standard, adding another level of compliance. These include:
• BS EN 12209 Locks and latches
• BS EN 1935 Hinges
• BS EN 1154 Mechanical Door closers
• BS EN 1155 Electromagnetic Door Closers
• BS EN1158 Door coordinators
• BS EN 179 & BS EN 1125 Panic and emergency exit devices
How does a product gain a CE mark?
As of the 1st July 2013, any product that comes under the scope of a harmonised standard must be #CE marked before it can be placed on the market.
One big misconception is that ironmongery products are #firetested individually, that is incorrect. There is no fire certification for individual products, they cannot be tested in a fire scenario without being fitted to a door. Provided the products added to that door have not undermined the integrity of the door during the test then they are deemed to have been ‘included in a successful fire test’. Full scale fire testing is carried to BS EN 1634:1.
After successful completion of the fire test (BS EN 1634:1) and mechanical testing of the ironmongery product’s associated test standard, the product can be deemed ‘Suitable for use on Fire Doors’. This combined testing allows the use of the CE mark on the items of ironmongery tested.
All products that are CE marked, and therefore deemed suitable for use on a fire door, will have a valid Declaration of Performance (DoP).
From Jan 2023 the CE mark will be replaced with the UKCA mark and the term 'Harmonised European Standard' will be replaced with a new 'UK Designated Standard'.
UKCA = United Kingdom Conformity Assessment
What is a Declaration of Performance (DoP)?
The Declaration of Performance provides information on each performance criteria of the tested product. This includes suitability for use on fire doors.
Do I need to check the Declaration of Performance?
If any doubt exists with essential ironmongery, you should always check the DoP. If the product needs to be CE/UKA marked, you will need to check for a number 1 in the fire classification box.
Where do I find a product’s Declaration of Performance?
DoPs must be made available for every marked product. This is either included with the product in the packaging, or available on the manufacturer’s website.
When they’re listed on the manufacturer’s website, they must be easily accessible.
All products are CE/UKCA marked and have a ‘1’ in the fire classification box on the DoP - Is it suitable for use on every door in every configuration?
Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple.
If inspecting door assemblies where products and components have been sourced from difference suppliers, you will need to refer to the fire test evidence for the door leaf manufacturer. This can be a third-party fire test report or a Global Assessment. Both reports will define exactly what models have been tested with the manufacturer’s doors, what size and position must be used, the use of any intumescent protection and what alternative compatible items of ironmongery are acceptable.
For example, the extract below is from a global assessment. It clearly states that alternative items of ironmongery are acceptable provided they meet the relevant EN standards and carry the CE/UKCA mark where applicable, and provided they match the exact specifications shown.
What about the products that are not legally required to carry the CE/UKCA mark?
Any non-marked (non-essential) items will also need to be checked against the doors fire test evidence to see if they fall within the scope of approval of the report.
One thing to remember; where the ironmongery and doors are bought separately from different suppliers, the responsibility is on the supplier of all components to ensure that the hardware components are compatible with the door supplier’s fire test evidence...However, unfortunately, it is all too often the case they don’t check and in this instance the fire door inspector must take great care to check compatibility of all components.
What if a product is fitted to door that has appropriate fire test evidence but is not listed as approved in the test data for the door?
In this instance you must always check with the manufacturer of the door. They may have alternative test data to support the use of that product. Manufacturers are testing on a regular and on-going basis to extend the scope of approved products and configurations.
What about doors that do not have any fire test evidence?
In this instance you should check that the ironmongery fitted to the door has appropriate fire test evidence for the door type (30 /60 min), construction (timber / metal), and configuration (single / double) to which it is fitted.