Fire protection in buildings is one of the fundamental elements influencing both human safety and property protection. An important role in this area is played by standards concerning the fire resistance testing of construction products. In particular, the PN-EN 1363-1 and PN-EN 1634-1 standards provide the basis for evaluating the fire performance of doors, gates, openable windows, and other fire-resistant closures.

This article presents the scope of both standards, their application, and their significance in design practice and certification processes.

PN-EN 1363-1 – Fire Resistance Tests – General Requirements

The PN-EN 1363-1 standard specifies the general principles for conducting fire resistance tests and the testing conditions applied during the assessment of building elements. It is a fundamental standard used in conjunction with product-specific standards related to particular construction products and systems.

The document defines, among others:

  • conditions for conducting fire resistance tests,
  • requirements for test furnaces,
  • the standard temperature–time curve,
  • methods for preparing test specimens,
  • general criteria for assessing fire resistance performance.

Key Aspects of PN-EN 1363-1

Scope

The standard covers general methods for testing the fire resistance of building elements intended to limit the effects of fire and high temperatures between fire compartments.

Testing Procedures

The document describes in detail the testing conditions, including:

  • installation methods for test specimens,
  • thermocouple placement,
  • heating conditions,
  • measurement of parameters during testing.

Assessment Criteria

The standard defines the fundamental fire resistance criteria, such as:

  • E – integrity,
  • I – thermal insulation,
  • W – radiation limitation.

Based on these criteria, fire resistance classifications are determined, such as EI30, EI60, or EI120.

PN-EN 1634-1 – Fire Resistance Tests for Doors, Shutters, and Openable Windows

The PN-EN 1634-1 standard specifies methods for testing the fire resistance of:

  • fire-resistant doors,
  • gates and shutters,
  • fire-resistant closures,
  • openable windows,
  • hardware and accessory components.

This standard is used in conjunction with PN-EN 1363-1, which defines the general conditions for conducting fire resistance tests.

In the area of smoke control performance, the standard also works together with PN-EN 1634-3, which relates to smoke leakage testing.

Key Aspects of PN-EN 1634-1

Scope

The standard covers the testing of doors, gates, and other fire-resistant closures intended for installation in building partitions.

Testing Methods

The purpose of the tests is to determine:

  • the duration of fire integrity,
  • thermal insulation performance,
  • the ability of the product to maintain integrity and insulation during fire exposure.

Assessment Criteria

The performance of products is assessed based on specified fire resistance parameters and — in the case of smoke control products — their ability to limit smoke leakage.

Application of the Standards in Practice

The PN-EN 1363-1 and PN-EN 1634-1 standards play a significant role in the design, testing, and certification of products used in building fire protection systems. They are widely used by manufacturers of fire-resistant joinery, testing laboratories, and designers.

Example Applications

Fire-Resistant Doors

Testing and certification of doors required to maintain specified fire performance for a defined period, such as 30, 60, or 120 minutes.

Fire-Resistant Windows

Assessment of the fire resistance of windows intended for use in partitions requiring fire protection.

Fire-Resistant Gates and Closures

Testing systems designed to limit the spread of fire and high temperatures between fire compartments.

Smoke Control Systems

Verification of a product’s ability to limit smoke leakage, which is particularly important for the safety of evacuation routes.

Importance of Fire Classification

The results of fire resistance tests are classified in accordance with PN-EN 13501-2. The classification specifies the period during which a product maintains the required performance under fire exposure.

The most commonly used classifications include:

  • EI30 – integrity and insulation maintained for 30 minutes,
  • EI60 – integrity and insulation maintained for 60 minutes,
  • EI120 – integrity and insulation maintained for 120 minutes.

For smoke control products, the following classifications are also used:

  • Sa,
  • S200.

The Sa and S200 classes define the level of smoke leakage limitation at ambient temperature and at 200°C, respectively.

Conclusions

The PN-EN 1363-1 and PN-EN 1634-1 standards form the foundation for evaluating the fire resistance of products used in construction. Thanks to unified testing methods, it is possible to design and certify solutions that effectively limit the effects of fire and enhance building occupant safety.

The proper application of these standards is essential both during the building design phase and when selecting certified fire protection systems.