BS EN 1634-1 – Fire Resistance Testing for Doors, Shutters and Openable Windows

Fire doors and shutters are critical components of a building’s passive fire protection system. Their performance has a direct impact on:

• Containing fire and smoke spread between compartments
• Protecting escape routes during evacuation
• Providing safe evacuation time for building occupants
• Protecting property and reducing damage in a fire event

Without reliable test evidence from BS EN 1634-1 or an equivalent standard, there is no objective measure that a doorset will perform as intended in a real fire.

BS EN 1634-1 specifies a full-scale fire test carried out in a furnace under controlled conditions. The test assesses how long the complete assembly will resist fire exposure based on key criteria:

Can the assembly prevent flames or hot gases from passing through and igniting materials on the unexposed side?

Does the assembly limit the heat transfer to the non-fire side — helping stop nearby materials from overheating?

Does it reduce radiant heat on the unexposed side, further protecting adjacent elements?

These criteria are used to generate time-based fire resistance ratings such as:

• E30 / EI30 – 30 minutes of fire resistance
• E60 / EI60 – 60 minutes
• E90 / EI90 – 90 minutes
• E120 / EI120 – 120 minutes

The exact rating required depends on the building’s fire strategy and regulatory context.

A full doorset is built and conditioned, then installed in a standardised test furnace. Temperature and pressure conditions simulate real fire growth. Thermocouples and instruments monitor performance throughout the test. The assembly is observed for:

• Structural failure
• Flame or gas leakage
• Exposed surface temperature rise

If it meets the criteria for the required duration without failure, it is then classified accordingly.

BS EN 1634-1 applies to:

• Fire doorsets — timber, steel, composite and glazed doors
• Fire shutters — rolling or sliding fire shutters
• Openable windows and similar closures that contribute to compartmentation
• Associated hardware when included as part of the tested assembly (including the frame and seals)

Important: The test applies to the entire assembly. Changing any component (e.g., lockset, hinge, frame type) that is not covered by the tested configuration can invalidate the rating unless there is a Field of Application (FoA) showing it is within scope.

In the UK, fire doors have traditionally been tested to BS 476-22. However:

• BS EN 1634-1 is now the modern benchmark for fire resistance testing and necessary for CE/UKCA marking of doorsets.
• EN 1634-1 is generally more rigorous, with stricter temperature and assessment criteria.
• EN 1634-1 results are commonly used as the basis for harmonised classification under BS EN 13501-2.

Most regulatory and specification documents now expect evidence from EN 1634-1 rather than the older BS 476-22 test.

Although BS EN 1634-1 itself is a test method rather than a regulation, it underpins:

• Building Regulations compliance (via Approved Document B guidance in England)
• Fire safety strategies in risk assessments
• Third-party certification schemes and product labelling
• Traceable evidence for safety files, handovers and audits

Products tested and certified under BS EN 1634-1 also form part of the evidence builders, designers, fire engineers, and duty holders rely on to demonstrate performance under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and building control requirements.

If you need help with:

• Specifying doorsets or shutters to meet required fire resistance ratings
• Interpreting test evidence and Field of Application documentation
• Preparing compliance packs for building control or safety files

Contact us to discuss your building type and fire safety requirements. We can review performance documentation and advise on compliant solutions tailored to your project.