Mechanical strength
The main focus of mechanical strength is the sufficient dimension of the selected materials and geometries to avoid injuries and damage to the component or its surroundings due to overload and component failure.
Test
The mechanical strength of components is the static but also the dynamic strength of a component in relation to the load caused by its use and the requirements for the respective designated/mandated performance characteristics. In some cases, these strengths are verified during the tests of the individual performance characteristics. For example, in the case of resistance to wind load or proof of the load-bearing capacity of door hinges as part of a durability test.
Safe opening – gates:
In connection with mechanical strength, the term safe opening is introduced for construction elements such as gates (product standard DIN EN 13241).
Vertically moving gates/structural elements must be secured against falling or uncontrolled, unbalanced movement in the event of failure of individual components of the suspension or the weight balance. (Gates – see DIN EN 13241 section 4.2.8)
Horizontally moving gates/structural elements must be secured against leaving the guides/breaking a hinge.
Test – explanation:
The components of the test for the proof of “safe opening” result from section 4.2.8 safe opening of DIN EN 13241 with the references to EN 12604:2000 section 4.3.4 requirements and EN 12605:2000, sections 5.3.2 and 5.4.3 – test methods.
The dated references of the product standard currently require the observance of two standards statuses:
- On the one hand the state 2000, the harmonised state,
- on the other hand the state of the art with the not yet harmonised state 2021.
The test procedures do not differ (significantly). As of the 2017 edition, the normative statements will be concretised and requirements, e.g. for swing gates, will be supplemented.
A distinction is made between the following test procedures:
A distinction is made between the following test procedures:
| Designation with status 2000 | Designation with status 2021 |
| Horizontally moved gates | |
| 5.1.2 measures against loosening or derailing | 5.3.1 guides and stopping devices |
| 5.4.2 loosening and derailing during use and operation | |
| Vertically moving gates | |
| (5.1.2 not listed according to product standard) | 5.3.1 guides and stopping devices |
| 5.3.2 verification of fall protection – safety catches 5.4.3 verification of safety devices against falling | 5.3.4 securing against falling of vertically moving gates |
| Swing gates | |
| No statement on swing gates | 5.3.5 securing against falling of swing gates |
On request the test can also be carried out on site, at the manufacturers or on the construction site
Construction elements / Standards
The following construction elements can be tested and classified:
| building component | test according to | classification according to |
| gates – vertically moving
– sectional door – roller door – lift gate etc. |
DIN EN 12604 – sections 5.3.1, and 5.3.4(formerly DIN EN 12605 section 5.3.2 und 5.4.3) |
DIN EN 12604 sections 4.3.1 and 4.3.4 |
| gates – horizontally moving
– sliding gate – swing gate – folding gate etc. |
DIN EN 12604 – sections 5.3.1 and. 5.3.5(formerly DIN EN 12605 section 5.1.2 und 5.4.2) |
DIN EN 12604 sections 4.3.1 and 4.3.1 |
Your component, your test method is not listed? Please contact us!
