Door Industry Journal - Summer 2015

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 90 THE door industry journal summer 2015 doorsets What is a doorset? • It is a doorleaf, frame and glazing, complete with all necessary hardware and seals • It can be pre-assembled OR a kit ready for assembly on site When does CE marking apply? • It the complete doorset has been “placed on the market” by a single supplier, that supplier takes responsibility for the CE marking. Note that the doorset is deemed to be placed on the market the first time the complete doorset or kit is supplied for distribution or use within the EU. CE marking does NOT apply if: • It is not “placed on the EU market” – eg: a builder has created a door from components obtained from more than one source and installed it in a building he currently owns. The eventual sale of the building would not constitute placing the door on the market • The item supplied is not a complete doorset – eg: door leaves and hardware supplied and installed in existing frames The first European product standard for doorsets was published in 2006, covering external doors and windows. This has been followed by a standard for fire-resisting doorsets in 2014 and internal doorsets are likely to follow later this year. This seems an opportune moment to look at the consequences for CE-marking of doorsets. What is the CE mark? The CE mark is a declaration by a manufacturer that a product meets the essential health and safety requirements of one or more “single market” directives. Why have the CE mark? • The purpose is to allow free circulation of goods within the European Economic Area (EEA) • No EEA government can exclude a CE marked product (although it can regulate its use) • It is not a quality mark • However, for safety-critical aspects, such as fire, it DOES guarantee performance CE marking of Construction Products • In order to comply, the product must have such properties that, if properly installed, it would enable a building to meet the seven “basic requirements of construction works” • CE marking is a declaration that the product does have these properties • CE marking does not replace national Building Regulations; it allows member states to choose the performance levels appropriate for local circumstances but it does require that test methods must be common across Europe CE marking of construction products can only take place once a harmonised European standard is in place covering the relevant product. So, what does this mean for doors? A guide to CE marking and doorsets …. by Michael Skelding, Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) General Manager & Secretary Standard EN 14351-1:2006 + A1:2010 prEN 14351-2 (publication likely late 2015 or early 2016) EN 16034:2014 Scope External doorsets, excluding those with fire or smoke resistance Internal doorsets, excluding those with fire or smoke resistance Fire or smoke resisting doorsets CE marking possible from? February 2007 (became compulsory from July 2013) Estimated early 2016 (to become compulsory after, probably, 12 months) December 2015 (compulsory from December 2018)