BS EN 1906 Lever handles and knob furniture

BS EN 1906 classifies door furniture by using an 8 digit coding system.

A similar classification applies to all building hardware product standards so that complementary items of hardware can be specified to, for instance, a common level of corrosion resistance, category of use, etc. Each digit refers to a particular feature of the product measured against the standards performance requirements.

Digit 1 – Category of use

Four grades are identified:

  • Grade 1: medium frequency of use with a high incentive to exercise care and a small chance of misuse, e.g. internal residential doors;
  • Grade 2: medium frequency of use by people with some incentive to exercise care but where there is some chance of misuse, e.g. internal office doors;
  • Grade 3: high frequency of use by public or others with little incentive to exercise care and with a high chance of misuse, e.g. public office doors;
  • Grade 4: high frequency of use on doors which are subject to frequent violent use, e.g. football stadiums, oil rigs, barracks, public toilets, etc.

Digit 2 – Durability

Two grades of durability are identified:

  • Grade 6: medium use - 100 000 cycles
  • Grade 7: high use - 200 000 cycles

Digit 3 – Test door mass

No classification.

Digit 4 – Fire resistance

Four grades of fire resistance are identified:

  • Grade 0: no performance determined;
  • Grade A: for use on smoke door assemblies.
  • Grade B: for use on smoke control and fire resistance door assemblies.
  • Grade C: for use on smoke control and fire resistance door assemblies with requirement for special core in the handle/knob.

Digit 5 – Safety

Two grades of safety are identified:

  • Grade 0: normal use
  • Grade 1: safety application - example handles must have high strength handle-to-plate and plate-to-door fixing such that they would withstand a person grabbing in order to prevent falling.

Digit 6 – Corrosion resistance

Five grades are identified according to EN 1670:

  • Grade 0: no defined corrosion resistance
  • Grade 1: mild resistance - minimum requirement for internal use
  • Grade 2: moderate resistance
  • Grade 3: high resistance - minimum requirement for external use
  • Grade 4: very high resistance - recommended for use in exposed marine atmospheres or very polluted industrial environments.
  • Grade 5: exceptionally high corrosion resistance recommended for use in exceptionally severe conditions where long-term protection of the product is required.

Digit 7 – Security

Five grades are identified:

  • Grade 0: not approved for use on burglary resistant doors
  • Grade 1: mild burglary resistance
  • Grade 2: moderate burglary resistance
  • Grade 3: high burglary resistance
  • Grade 4: extra high burglary resistance
 

Note: The main requirements include resistance to drilling, close fitting plates or escutcheons to help protect the lock and support the cylinder.

Digit 8 – Type of operation

Three operation types are identified:

  • Type A: spring assisted furniture
  • Type B: spring loaded furniture
  • Type U: unsprung furniture
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