What does the classification number mean on every door closer?
If you look closely at a door closer you will notice that alongside the UKCA/CE marking on the actual product, there is a six-digit number – this is known as the classification number. Each digit of this classification number contains specific information about the product measured against the BS EN 1154 standard for controlled door closing. This information is useful when specifying door closers and here we look at what this number means in more detail.
Digit 1 – Category of use
For doors for use by the public, where there is little incentive to take care and there is some chance of misuse of the door, this number is always either a 3 or a 4.
Grade 3 – For closing doors from at least 105 degrees open
Grade 4 – For closing doors from 180 degrees open
Note 1: Grade 4 classification assumes standard installation according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Note 2: Where doors may be subject to extreme abuses or where there are particular limitations of opening angle, doors closers with a back check function should be considered.
Digit 2 – Number of test cycles
There is only one test duration identified for door closers manufactured to the BS EN 1154 standard – grade 8, which denotes 500 000 test cycles.
Digit 3 – Test door mass/size
There are seven test door mass grades, and related door closer power sizes are identified according to the table below. Where a door closer provides a range of power sizes both the minimum and the maximum sizes are identified. For example, this might be written as 2-4.
Power size (EN) | Max door weight (kg) | Max door width (mm) | Minimum closing force |
1 | 20 | 750 | 9Nm |
2 | 40 | 850 | 13Nm |
3 | 60 | 950 | 18Nm |
4 | 80 | 1100 | 26Nm |
5 | 100 | 1250 | 37Nm |
6 | 120 | 1400 | 54Nm |
7 | 160 | 1600 | 87Nm |
Digit 4 – Fire behaviour
Two grades of fire behaviour are identified for door closing devices manufactured to the BS EN 1154 standard, so this digit will either be a 0 or 1:
– 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. (Note that such assessment is itself outside the scope of BS EN 1154 (see EN 1634-1)).
Digit 5 – Safety
All door closers must satisfy the Essential Requirement of safety in use, therefore this digit will always be a 1.
Digit 6 – Corrosion resistance
Five grades of corrosion resistance are identified according to EN 1670, so this digit ranges from 0 to 4:
– grade 0: No defined corrosion resistance– grade 1: Mild resistance– grade 2: Moderate resistance– grade 3: High resistance– grade 4: Very high resistance
Where is the classification number found?
The classification number can be found on the Declaration of Performance, which accompanies the UKCA/CE certification, and also on the product itself, alongside the UKCA/CE marking, as shown in the image above.
At Rutland, we have user-friendly product datasheets to make specifying as smooth a process as possible. We know from talking to clients who are specifiers that door scheduling can be a laborious process, particularly if the information isn’t clear or easily accessible. Imagine drawing up a door schedule for a 200-bedroom hotel – this requires patience and attention to detail! So clear, concise documentation can really help – all our documentation is available in downloadable format on our website.
What is the Declaration of Performance?
Each construction product with UKCA/CE marking must be accompanied by a Declaration of Performance (DoP). The DoP is the most important document supporting the UKCA/CE marking because it contains the full information about the manufacturer, the product and its performance. Naturally, in order to be able to draw up a Declaration of Performance, manufacturers must have gone through a process which includes phases of documentation, third-party verification and finally certification. We have written about more third-party certification and its importance for continued life safety
here.
Who uses the information?
The principal designer or specifier on a project would examine the DoP when they are deciding which door closer to use. It’s important that the classification number is also permanently marked on the product itself, as once it is fitted, the instruction sheets and packaging are often discarded and don’t find their way to end users. For regular and ongoing fire door inspections to be effective, the inspector needs to see compliance on the product throughout the lifetime of the product.
Does anyone verify that the classification number is correct?
As mentioned already, manufacturers are subject to tests, audits and processes before they can even fill in the Declaration of Performance. As part of our UKCA/CE marking and third-party certification, Rutland undergoes annual surveillance visits for factory production control. This audit includes checking of marking and packaging of products. A typical Rutland door closer will have an annual check by a UK conformity assessment body (for example IFC certification), a European notified body (for example Efectis) and a third-party certification visit (for example Warrington Fire for the Certifire scheme). This is a very rigorous schedule and goes above and beyond the minimum required, but it is a rigour that we wholeheartedly embrace in the interest of quality and protecting life safety across the board.
