Views: 590 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-23 Origin: Site
Of course. Here is a detailed explanation of the **EN 1634-1 certificate** in the context of **fire curtains**.
### Executive Summary
An **EN 1634-1 certificate** is formal proof that a specific fire curtain model has been successfully tested and meets the requirements of the European standard **EN 1634-1:2014** for fire resistance and smoke control for doors, shutters, and openable windows.
For a fire curtain, this certificate is the most critical piece of evidence demonstrating its performance and reliability in a fire.
---
### 1. What is EN 1634-1?
**EN 1634-1: Fire resistance and smoke control tests for door and shutter assemblies, openable windows and elements of building hardware** is the harmonized European test standard.
The test involves installing the fire curtain in a specially designed furnace wall that replicates a real-world scenario. The curtain is then subjected to the conditions of a standard fire (defined by a time-temperature curve) for a specified duration.
The test measures three key integrity criteria (**E**, **I**, **S**) to see if the product fails:
* **E (Integrity):** The ability to prevent the passage of flames and hot gases. Failure occurs if sustained flames appear on the unexposed side or if a cotton wool pad ignites.
* **I (Insulation):** The ability to limit the temperature rise on the unexposed side. Failure occurs if the average temperature rise exceeds 140°C or the maximum at any single point exceeds 180°C.
* **S (Smoke Leakage):** The ability to restrict the passage of smoke at ambient temperature and under negative pressure. This is a separate measurement for smoke control.
### 2. What Does the Certificate Look Like and Contain?
An EN 1634-1 certificate is not a simple one-page document. It is typically a comprehensive package that includes:
1. **Test Report:** The detailed document from an accredited laboratory (e.g., Warringtonfire, BRE, iBMB) describing the entire test procedure, setup, and results.
2. **Classification Report/Certificate:** A summary document that states the official fire resistance rating achieved.
The key information you will find includes:
* **Manufacturer and Product Name:** The exact model of the fire curtain tested.
* **Testing Laboratory:** The independent, accredited lab that performed the test.
* **Test Standard:** EN 1634-1:2014.
* **Fire Resistance Rating (Classification):** This is the most important part. It is expressed as a code, for example:
* **E 30** - Integrity for 30 minutes.
* **EI 30** - Integrity and Insulation for 30 minutes.
* **E 60** - Integrity for 60 minutes.
* **EI 60** - Integrity and Insulation for 60 minutes.
* **EW 60** - Integrity and limited heat radiation for 60 minutes (less common for curtains).
* **S 200** - Smoke leakage classification (the number refers to the leakage rate in m³/h.m²).
* **Supporting Construction:** Details of the wall/ceiling in which the curtain was tested (e.g., concrete, masonry).
* **Installation Details:** Critical drawings and specifications showing *exactly* how the curtain must be installed to achieve the rating (e.g., gap sizes, headbox details, guide channel fixings).
* **Size Tested:** The maximum size (width x height) of the specimen that was successfully tested. Larger sizes may require a separate assessment or cannot be used.
### 3. Why is this Certificate So Important?
* **Legal & Regulatory Compliance:** In the EU and UK, construction products used in fire safety systems must comply with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) or UKCA marking requirements. The EN 1634-1 certificate is the primary evidence of this compliance for fire curtains.
* **Proven Performance:** It verifies that the product has been independently tested and will perform as claimed in a fire, protecting lives and property.
* **Building Control Approval:** Architects, specifiers, and building control officers will require this certificate before approving the use of a fire curtain in a design.
* **Insurance Purposes:** Insurance companies may require evidence that certified fire protection systems are installed to validate a policy or process a claim.
* **Correct Installation:** The certificate's installation details are crucial. Installing the curtain differently from the certified method invalidates the rating.
### 4. Key Points to Check When Reviewing a Certificate
1. **Is it from an Accredited Lab?** Ensure the testing laboratory is internationally recognized (e.g., UKAS accredited in the UK).
2. **Does the Product Match?** Confirm the manufacturer and model name on the certificate exactly match the product you are specifying or installing.
3. **What is the Rating?** Check the classification (e.g., EI 30) meets your project's fire strategy requirements.
4. **What was the Size Tested?** Verify that the size of the curtain you plan to use does not exceed the maximum tested size.
5. **Follow the Installation Instructions!** The certificate is only valid if the product is installed exactly as described in the supporting documents.
### Example of a Fire Resistance Classification
A common rating for a fire curtain might be: **EI 30 / S 200**
This means the curtain provides:
* **30 minutes** of fire resistance, maintaining both **Integrity (E)** and **Insulation (I)**.
* **Smoke control (S)** with a leakage rate of 200 m³/h per meter of perimeter.
---
**In summary, an EN 1634-1 certificate is the non-negotiable proof of performance for a fire curtain in Europe. Always request and verify this documentation before selecting or installing any fire curtain system.**