A fire door supplier must provide, at minimum, a CE Declaration of Performance, a classification report from an accredited test laboratory, and installation instructions. These documents are not optional extras — they are the legal basis for specifying and approving the product. For architects working on permit-ready designs, complete documentation at the specification stage is the standard, not the exception. The sections below unpack each document type, what it must contain, and how to verify it covers your actual opening.
Which documents must a fire door supplier provide by law?
Under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), any fire-rated door placed on the European market must carry CE marking, which means the supplier is legally required to provide a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and affix the CE mark to the product. The DoP references the test standard, the notified body involved, and the declared performance values, including fire resistance classification. Without this document, the product cannot legally be specified or installed in a permitted building.
Beyond the DoP, a compliant supplier must also make available the underlying classification report — the test evidence on which the CE declaration is based. This is where the actual fire resistance performance is recorded. Installation instructions are also mandatory under CPR, because the CE marking only holds when the product is installed according to the conditions under which it was tested.
For industrial fire doors, two CE marking standards apply simultaneously: EN 16034, which covers the fire- and smoke-resisting closing function, and EN 13241, which applies to industrial doors as a general product category regardless of fire rating. Both are mandatory and must be reflected in the supplier’s documentation — they are not interchangeable, and a DoP referencing only one of the two does not satisfy the full CE marking obligation.
In the Netherlands, the Besluit Bouwwerken Leefomgeving (BBL, formerly Bouwbesluit) sets the regulatory framework for fire safety in buildings. It references European harmonised standards, which means Dutch building permits are assessed against the same CE-based documentation. The BBL establishes absolute minimum requirements — the specific classification required for a given opening depends on the building’s fire compartmentalisation calculation and any applicable sector-specific regulations, not on a single fixed rule. A supplier who cannot produce a complete DoP and classification report at the specification stage is not in a position to support a permit application.
Metacon-Next publishes all certificates, classification reports, and EPDs openly on its website — a level of transparency that is not legally required but that directly serves architects who need to close a specification file without chasing documentation by email.
What is a classification report and why does it matter?
A classification report is the formal document issued by an accredited fire testing laboratory that records the outcome of a fire resistance test conducted in accordance with EN 1634-1. It states the tested configuration — door leaf dimensions, frame type, glazing if applicable, hardware, seals — and assigns the resulting fire resistance class per EN 13501-2, such as EW 60 or EI2-90. This report is the technical foundation of the CE declaration and cannot be substituted by a product brochure or a supplier’s self-declaration.
The report matters because it defines the exact conditions under which the classification was achieved. If your opening differs significantly from the tested configuration — in dimensions, frame construction, or surrounding wall type — the classification may not automatically transfer. Architects specifying fire-rated doors need to read the classification report, not just the label on the door, to confirm that the product as specified will perform as declared.
For industrial applications involving large or atypical openings, this becomes especially critical. A classification report that covers a standard 2100 x 900 mm leaf does not automatically validate a 4000 x 4000 mm roller door in the same fire class. The report must either cover the intended dimensions directly or be accompanied by an Extended Application of Results (EAR) document — produced under EN 15269 — that demonstrates how the classification extends to larger configurations.
Efectis is one of the recognised accredited bodies that conducts fire resistance testing for door products. Classification reports from accredited laboratories carry the credibility required by building inspectors and fire safety reviewers. When a supplier references a classification report, verify that it names the test body, the test standard, and the tested configuration — not just the fire class.
What’s the difference between EW, EI1, and EI2 classification documents?
EW, EI1, and EI2 are three distinct fire resistance classifications defined under EN 13501-2, and each represents a different level of performance. The classification document for each type will state which criteria were met during testing, and specifying the wrong class for an opening is a design error with regulatory consequences.
EW: integrity and limited radiation
EW classification means the door maintains integrity — it does not allow flames or hot gases to pass through — and limits the radiant heat transfer through the door surface to a maximum of 15 kW/m² at one metre distance. In the Dutch regulatory context, EW is the baseline criterion: EW60 is the standard default classification referenced in Dutch practice, meaning the door blocks flames and limits radiant heat transfer for 60 minutes. An EW classification document will confirm integrity performance and the radiation measurement, but it does not address insulation — the temperature rise on the unexposed face is not controlled beyond the radiation limit. Whether EW60 is sufficient for a specific project depends on that project’s fire compartmentalisation calculation; consult a qualified fire safety engineer or the local authority for project-specific guidance.
EI1 and EI2: integrity and insulation
EI classification adds an insulation criterion on top of integrity. The door must limit the average temperature rise on the unexposed face to no more than 140°C above ambient, and the maximum rise at any single point to no more than 180°C. EI1 and EI2 differ in how this insulation criterion is applied: EI1 applies a stricter measurement method that results in a lower permitted temperature rise on the unexposed side, while EI2 uses a less strict criterion under which a higher temperature rise on the unexposed side is permitted. Always specify EI1 or EI2 explicitly — they are not interchangeable in a specification, and writing “EI” alone without the suffix is insufficient. A classification report for an EI2 door, for example, will show the full insulation test data under the less strict protocol; an EI1 report will show compliance with the stricter threshold.
When reviewing documentation, confirm that the classification code in the report matches exactly what is written in the specification. An EW 60 report does not support an EI2-60 specification, and vice versa. The fire resistance class and the classification criteria must align throughout the design file.
What should an EPD for a fire door include?
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for a fire door is a standardised document that quantifies the environmental impact of the product across its life cycle, based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted in accordance with ISO 14044 and EN 15804. It is not an environmental label or a sustainability award — it is an information document that allows architects, clients, and assessors to compare products on a consistent basis, particularly for BREEAM- or LEED-rated projects.
A compliant EPD for a fire door should include the following elements:
- The product scope and system boundary — which life cycle stages are covered (typically A1 to A3 for manufacturing, sometimes extended to end of life)
- Global Warming Potential (GWP) expressed in kg CO₂ equivalent — the primary indicator used in green building assessments
- Other environmental indicators as required by EN 15804, including acidification, eutrophication, and resource use
- The functional unit — typically one door unit of a defined size and specification
- The programme operator and verification body — EPDs must be independently verified to be credible
- The product’s reference service life, where declared
Metacon-Next introduced EPDs for eleven of its main product lines in 2025 — a recent addition to their qualification portfolio. These documents are available directly on the product pages, which means architects can download them at the specification stage without placing an order first. This matters for projects where environmental documentation must be submitted alongside the permit application or included in a BREEAM evidence file. Note that the OHD-C Sprint and SGC EI(1) 60 – EW 120 do not yet have their own EPD.
An EPD does not tell you whether a product is environmentally good or bad — it tells you what the measured impact is. The value lies in comparability and transparency, not in any implied endorsement.
When should documentation be available — at specification or after order?
All core documentation — the Declaration of Performance, classification report, and EPD — must be available at the specification stage, before an order is placed. This is not a commercial preference; it is a functional requirement of the design process. An architect cannot specify a product with confidence, submit a permit application, or pass a fire safety review if the documentation is only promised for delivery after purchase.
The classification report in particular must be reviewed before specification, because it defines the tested configuration. If the report does not cover the intended opening dimensions or construction, the product may need to be substituted — and discovering this after order placement creates both programme risk and cost implications.
EPDs are increasingly required at the design stage for projects pursuing BREEAM or LEED credits, or where the client has committed to reporting embodied carbon. Waiting until after order to obtain this document is not viable in those project contexts.
A supplier who cannot provide complete documentation on request — without requiring a purchase commitment first — is not positioned to support a professional specification process. Metacon-Next makes its full documentation set publicly accessible through its website and, for dimension-specific technical drawings and BIM files, through the MetaConfigurator portal. Architects can access product information, verify compliance, and download files without initiating a sales conversation.
How do you verify that a fire door’s documentation covers your specific opening?
To verify that a classification report covers your specific opening, compare the tested configuration in the report against the actual conditions of your project: leaf dimensions, frame type, wall construction, and any special features such as glazing, vision panels, or hold-open devices. If your opening falls within the tested range, the classification applies directly. If it falls outside, you need either a separate test report or an Extended Application of Results (EAR) document produced under EN 15269 that formally extends the classification to your configuration.
The following checks are the minimum required before confirming a product in a specification:
- Leaf dimensions: Confirm that the tested leaf size covers or can be extended to your required dimensions. For large industrial openings — roller doors, sliding doors, or overhead doors for forklift passage — this is particularly important, as standard test configurations may not cover atypical widths or heights.
- Frame and wall construction: The classification was achieved with a specific frame type and wall assembly. If your wall construction differs materially, the supplier must confirm whether the classification still applies.
- Hardware and seals: Intumescent seals, door closers, and locking hardware are part of the tested configuration. Substituting components without verification can invalidate the classification.
- Special features: Vision panels, glazed sections, pass doors within roller doors, and hold-open devices each affect fire performance. Verify that these features are covered in the test report or in a supplementary assessment.
- EAR documentation: If the supplier claims the classification extends beyond the tested size, ask for the Extended Application of Results document produced under EN 15269. This is a formal technical assessment, not a verbal assurance.
When in doubt, the correct approach is to contact the manufacturer’s technical department with the specific project parameters and request written confirmation that the classification applies. Metacon-Next’s in-house R&D team is available to support this process. For dimension-specific queries, the MetaConfigurator provides access to technical drawings and configuration data that help confirm feasibility before the specification is finalised. For questions about which fire resistance classification is required for a specific application — including compartmentalisation requirements or regulatory adequacy — consult a qualified fire safety engineer or the local authority, as these depend on a project-specific calculation that cannot be answered by documentation alone.
If you are working on an industrial project that requires fire-rated openings for large spans, logistics flow, or production environments, Metacon-Next’s fire-rated door range covers roller doors, sliding doors, overhead doors, and fire curtains — all CE-certified and tested to EN 1634-1. Full documentation is available before you commit to a specification. You can contact Metacon-Next directly to request technical support or access the product documentation relevant to your project.
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