Exterior doors now require a declaration of performance
Since November 1, 2019, manufacturers must submit a so-called declaration of performance for the exterior doors they produce. Additional proof is required for certain safety-relevant aspects.
According to the industry association VST exterior doors (EN 14351-1-1) and exterior doors with fire and smoke protection properties (EN 16034) are affected by the new regulation.
This means that corresponding doors may only be placed on the market if their properties are known. The manufacturer must show which characteristics the products have. The producer receives the proof from recognized testing laboratories, which evaluate the performance of the doors.
Safety relevant aspects
For safety-relevant aspects such as fire resistance, smoke tightness and the ability to release escape doors, the manufacturer must additionally provide proof that a production permanently fulfills the declared performance of the doors, according to the Swiss Door Industry Association. For this reason, the manufacturer would have to introduce a production control. This monitoring, as well as a certificate of constancy of performance, would be carried out by a notified certification body; in Switzerland, this is usually the testing, inspection and certification body Sipiz AG (see also Fire Lab).
What does the process look like?
According to the industry association, the usual procedure since November 1, 2019 is as follows: Door manufacturers deliver the finished product, door and frame. This is accompanied by permanent marking, installation, maintenance and operating instructions, as well as the declaration of performance. The installation company installs the door according to instructions and passes on the declaration of performance and the maintenance and operating instructions to the building owner. There are deviations from this procedure if a door contractor purchases only parts of the complete door from a manufacturer in order to finish it himself. Who is then responsible for the declaration of performance?
Option 1 - the manufacturer: In this case, the manufacturer ensures that the door contractor manufactures the door exactly according to its detailed specifications.
Option 2 - the door contractor: In this case, the door contractor acquires from the manufacturer (the system owner) the rights to manufacture the door itself. If the door contractor also intends to declare safety-relevant features, he must also have production control introduced and monitored and have the constancy of performance certified by a notified certification body, as the trade association concludes.
Source: VST
