From 2019, CE labelling is obligatory for new fire-resistant and smoke-tight external doors. Requirements will be more stringent than previous Swedish type approvals. RISE can assist in the certification process.
“The introduction of a legal requirement can lead to safer doors,” says Per Adolfsson, fire certification officer at RISE.
A fire door must be flame resistant and prevent the spread of fire and smoke; for example, between apartments and stairwells or between garages and adjacent buildings.
Sweden previously applied a system known as national type approval to fire doors. Type approval has not been a legal requirement but rather an industry standard and a guarantee that the approved door has maintained a safe level.
CE labeling obligatory for fire-resistant doors 2019
Since November 1st 2019, it is obligatory for all fire-resistant doors within the European Union to be CE labelled. As a consequence, Swedish type approval no longer apply to these doors.
“Manufacturers will be required to update their certifications, which may require them to retest their doors,” explains Per Adolfsson.
Manufacturers are responsible for CE labelling and in most cases they themselves will be able ensure that requirements are fulfilled; however, in certain areas external and independent assessment will need to be carried out by what is known as a notified body. Fire protection is one of the areas in which RISE is a notified body.
Work on the new CE-labelling regulation has been drawn out and fire testing conducted over recent years has given due consideration to future requirements, something that should mean that in most cases recertification will be straightforward.
CE labelling in accordance with EN 16034
The requirements of the new standard are higher than the Swedish type approval that has been the former industry standard. In addition to fulfilling the requirements of EN 16034, fire doors must also fulfill the requirements of EN 14351-1 (external doors) and EN 14351-2 (internal doors).