Accessories: as important as doors and gates

Besides doors and gates the MPA NRW also tests their accessories. These comprise locks, fittings and closure means. The individual product is tested as well as the complete system connected with the door. The regulations have the same demands to the accessories as to the doors and gates. The material must resist a fire for a precisely defined period of time and has to function reliably for an also precisely defined long period of time.

The MPA NRW tests in particular:

Closures

Closures (locks and fittings) for doors on escape routes enable a safe escape in case of an emergency even with closed or locked doors. The closures comprise:

emergency exit closure, panic lock, escape door lock (technical regulation DIN EN 179)
panic door lock, panic handlebar, handlebar, crossbar, pushbar (technical regulatin DIN EN 1125)
fire protection lock, fire door lock, tubular frame lock, multipoint lock, lock, mortise lock, security lock (technical regulations DIN 18250, DIN 18251, DIN EN 12209)

Hinges

Hinges (hinge hooks) carry the revolving door and enable the door to turn easily without scraping over the floor (technical regulation DIN EN 1935).

Latches

Latches (door handles) are usually the only parts of a door that are touched. Thus they are also decisive for the quality impression of the entire door. Protective armours are to discourage burglars and impede burglary. The latches comprise fire-protective latches, door latches, door handles and security units (technical regulations DIN 18273, DIN 18257 and DIN EN 1906).

Closure means

Only closed doors can protect against fire or impede the spreading of smoke. Fire doors and smoke control doors must be permanently self-closing. The closure means comprise locking devices that keep doors open and enable closing in case of a fire (technical regulation DIN EN 1155). Closing sequence controls on double doors enable the consequential closing of the door wings (technical regulation DIN EN 1158). Door closers controlledly close doors after opening (technical regulastions DIN EN 1154, DIN 18263-1 and DIN 18263,4). Spring hinges close doors after opening uncontrolledly (technical regulations DIN 18272, DIN 18262, prEN 15887).