A word about Electric Fail Safe (EFS). In one of our previous posts/blogs we explained why regulations at the European level do not impose restrictions around the application of Electric Fail Safe. We received quite a few responses to that. The majority of these concerned what the product standard EN 16034 says about locking systems. We zoom in on that part of the standard.

Declaration of Performance 

Every manufacturer has some freedom to have their fire resistant products tested against several criteria, under the supervision of notified bodies such as Efectis or Peutz. All tests are done according to a very precisely defined process. The DoP (Declaration of Performance) that is drawn up afterwards, neatly states what has been tested and with what result.

Access test

The testing of fire resistance in accordance with EN 1634-1 starts with a few activities that you can see as a kind of admission test. For example, it must become clear that the fire door can actually open and close. If the door closes completely three times after a fire alarm signal or main power failure, then the fire door has the so-called Ability to Release. In addition, the door must open and close 25 times without human intervention. If this is successful, the door may also be classified as Self-closing.

Durability

Besides the terms Ability to Release and Self-closing, the DoP also contains the cryptic term 'durability of the ability to release'. The value behind it says something about the durability of closure in the event of a fire alarm. According to the standard, all mechanically closing doors are automatically classified as 'release maintained'. That term suggests that doors that close mechanically will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future. For doors that close on power or emergency power, tests must substantiate that durability.

Broomstick

The reality is less adamant. Because the various conditions in which a fire door is used are not all ideal and far from controllable. In practice, a dusty environment, old grease, worn-out batteries and, last but not least, the human factor can be a serious impediment to the closing of a fire door. One one occasion, we have found a broomstick in the guide at customer sites. "Otherwise, that door will close every so often during power dips," the people there said. Instead of a theoretical durability value on a declaration of performance, Hoefnagels Fire Safety considers it essential that periodic service and maintenance demonstrate the actual durability.

Careful

As far as we are concerned, checking the status on site at least once a year and repairing it if necessary is the only way to maximise 'Durability'. This applies to both doors that close by gravity and doors that can close in a controlled way using emergency power from batteries. Hoefnagels Fire Safety supplies both locking systems. However, this service has to be carried out carefully by well-trained technicians who not only check the operation, but also remove any broomsticks.