The PfB is a leading centre of excellence for testing building elements
such as doors, gates, windows, facades, grilles, roller shutters and their fittings.

Below you will find an overview of possible tests. If you have not yet
found your test, please feel free to contact us. We are also happy to
arrange tests from our shareholder DMT in the field of fire technology.
You can find an overview of our joint portfolio here:

• Download Flyer German
• Download Flyer English

In addition to tests in the areas of safety, climate / weather, energy and
serviceability, the PfB team is happy to take on the challenges to develop individual test benches for special tests. (German)

Test

Existing national, European and international standards are used to carry out tests. But also draft standards, guidelines and regulations. These describe the
test procedures and general conditions such as the number of test specimens or climatic conditions.
In most cases, the results of the tests are classified on the basis of classification standards. The tests for CE marking (mandated properties) can only be carried
out by recognised, accredited and notified test bodies.
PfB GmbH & Co. Prüfzentrum für Bauelemente KG is a Notified Test Body No. 1644.

Overview according to building components

Overview according to properties and their tests

General information on the testing of building components

Initial testing

An initial test is the complete set of tests or other procedures relating to the characteristics to be assessed, whereby the performance characteristics of product
samples representative of the product type shall be determined.

Further type test

Whenever there is a change in the design of components, in the raw materials or suppliers of the components, or in the manufacturing process, which
significantly affects one or more properties, the type test must be repeated for the properties concerned.

It is not necessary to carry out a new initial test if the product:

• Will include the same components used for initial testing and will be assembled in accordance with the applicable assembly instructions;
• will comprise components with equivalent performance characteristics and
• will be assembled in accordance with the applicable instructions for assembly.

In addition, product properties for object-related constructions are determined by tests.

It is not necessary to perform a new initial test if the product:

• will comprise the same components used for initial testing and will be assembled in accordance with the applicable instructions for assembly.
• will comprise components with equivalent performance characteristics and will be assembled in accordance with the applicable instructions for assembly.

Properties and requirements

The specified requirements correspond to the loads to be expected as a rule and serve as planning specifications. If the requirements for construction elements
deviate from the standard case – e.g. higher or lower – these must be taken into account in the planning.
Through structural measures (e.g. protected installation position, e.g. by means of canopy and/or side screen, arcade), the required demand profile can be
reduced in many cases. When considering whether the performance profile of the product meets the requirement profile, it should be noted that the
performance profile may differ depending on the installation direction.
Windows and external doors may be subject to specific influences in the construction situation, e.g. deformation, solar radiation, changing climates. As a result, the
specified values or classes tested or determined in the standard condition may change. These influences must be determined in the planning stage and
compensated for by appropriate measures (arrangement, choice of materials and colours, etc.).

CE marking

The CE mark shows the conformity (compliance) of the product with the relevant European directives and thus enables the product to be traded throughout
Europe.
Since the first of February 2009, all windows and external doors without properties regarding fire protection and/or smoke tightness must declare the mandated properties of the product standard DIN EN 14351-1 with the CE marking when they are placed on the market in the EU. According to the Construction Products Regulation, at least one property with a class or value must be declared. Voluntary properties, i.e. non-mandated properties, may not be indicated on the CE marking.
The CE marking may be affixed in full, i.e. undivided (= indicating the classes and characteristic values achieved) or divided (CE mark only, name of manufacturer, year of manufacture, product standard) directly to the window or external door (preferably in the rebate on the hinge side) or to the commercial accompanying documents. The affixing of the CE marking is the responsibility of the manufacturer or his representative established in the European Economic Area.
The accompanying documents, at least the installation instructions, maintenance and care instructions and the CE marking, must be supplied with the product when it is delivered. In contrast to products that are subject to the system of proof of conformity 1 (= external monitoring), the handover of a separate declaration of conformity is not required for windows or external doors with the system of proof of conformity 3 (= no external monitoring) in accordance with the aforementioned product standard.
For products under the attestation of conformity system 1: If conformity with the conditions of Annex ZA of the product standard DIN EN 14351-1 has been
achieved, the certification body shall issue an EC certificate of conformity entitling the manufacturer to affix the CE marking.
Conformity is already confirmed by affixing the CE marking to the product or the accompanying documents.
The CE marking must be affixed when the product is completed and placed on the market (= traded). An installer who does not manufacture windows or external doors himself but buys them in and/or installs them in a building as a subcontractor is not a manufacturer in the sense of the standard.
However, the latter must ensure, if necessary, that the accompanying documents are available with the product in order to hand them over to the
client/builder/operator/private individual during acceptance.

Standardisation

The PfB thanks DIN for the use of all normative information. The PfB hopes to provide guidance through this overview of the tests and would like to thank the
Consumer Council for its many years of positive cooperation in various standardisation committees through its voluntary work.