Testing of complete door assemblies
DBI performs fire resistance testing of doors, fire doors and openable windows.
The tested result is tied to the complete assembly, including the door leaf, frame, glazing, hardware, installation method and the associated supporting construction in which the door is mounted.
Small installation details can influence the documented field of application, including the gap width between the door leaf and frame.
The size of DBI’s furnace makes it possible to include large door assemblies within the same test setup, including two double-leaf door sets.
Classification and field of application
Door manufacturers rarely need documentation for a single tested configuration.
In many cases, the challenge is to build documentation covering different door configurations, installation situations and intended fields of application.
At DBI, test programmes are therefore planned based on the intended field of application and installation conditions rather than an isolated fire test.
Extended field of application (EXAP)
The door area is highly developed in terms of extended field of application (EXAP). EXAP is used to document variations of a tested door design beyond the tested configuration itself.
This may include variations in:
- Door size
- Glazing
- Hardware
- Frame construction
- Installation details
Different EXAP rules apply to, for example, timber doors, steel doors, glazed frame doors, hinged doors and sliding doors.
DBI performs EXAP documentation work based on the EN 15269 series for a wide range of door systems.
Fire doors vs. smoke control doors
Fire doors and smoke control doors are tested for different types of performance.
Fire resistance testing and smoke control testing are carried out according to separate test methods and standards.
Depending on the intended application, door systems may require both fire resistance and smoke control documentation.
Fire resistance testing and smoke control testing are carried out on separate test rigs within the same laboratory environment, allowing both test programmes to be planned in parallel.
Hardware documentation
DBI also performs testing and documentation of building hardware used in door assemblies, including locks, viewers, letter plates and other hardware components.
This includes Hardware Performance Sheets (HPS) based on fire test documentation.