BS EN 1906:2012

Lever handles and knob furniture

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Number 10
June 2022
www.gai.org.uk
GAI GUIDES TO STANDARDS BS EN 1906:2012

GAI GUIDE TO STANDARDS

This Guide is one of a series of “GAI Guides to Standards” which the Guild of History and etymology
Architectural Ironmongers have published relating to British or European Standards which An American inventor named Osbourn Dorsey has been attributed with inventing the
are relevant to the architectural ironmongery industry. They highlight background and modern day door-knob. He filed a submission for this with the U.S. patent office in 1878.
detail on the relevant product, provide information on the specific standard and explain Prior to this people secured their houses with a simple technology called a latch-string.
what harmonisation or designation is, where applicable. This GAI Guide relates to lever This involved boring a small hole in the door, then inserting a looped piece of cord or
handles and knob furniture. leather thong around a bar which was used to fasten the door from inside the door.
BS EN 1906 was first published in May 2010, but was revised on 31st August 2012.
Definition
The word handle is derived from the Old English verb handlian used prior to 900 A.D.
The following definitions are taken directly from EN 1906:
and from the Old Norse handla meaning to seize. The word escutcheon is from the Old
• Door furniture: combination of lever handles or knobs on backplates or roses for the North French word escuchon which is from the Latin word scūtum meaning shield.
purpose of operating locks or latches.
• Door knob: fixed or rotatable operating element, usually designed to be circular
in plan…which engages a spindle passing through a door and operating then a latch
mechanism when rotated, so that the latch bolt is withdrawn to unlatch the door.
• Door lever handle: rotatable operating element designed as a lever with a length
from its axis of rotation to its free end that exceeds 75mm, and which engages a
spindle passing through a door.
• Escutcheon: A surround with a shaped hole to accommodate a key or a lock
cylinder with or without a pivoted cover plate, intended primarily to remain operable
after a fire. A door handle can also be defined as an attached object or mechanism “Humour can get in under the
used to manually open or close a door
door while seriousness is still
fumbling at the handle.”
G.K. Chesterton

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GAI GUIDES TO STANDARDS BS EN 1906:2012

What does the term door furniture mean? Diagram of a set of handles
Door Furniture is a term in general use meaning handles that operate the wide variety Here is a diagram showing a cross-section of a set of handles, detailing the relevant
of locks and latches in today’s market place. The locks could be either mortice (let into parts:
leading edge of the door) or rim (surface mounted). The furniture has to suit the type of
lock specified. Upright mortice locks usually require lever handles. Knobs might be used
on upright locks with deeper backsets, or on horizontal locks, to ensure the user will not
‘rap’ their knuckles against the door frame whilst operating the knob.
It’s rare to specify knobs on commercial contracts these days, due to the introduction of
the Equality Act 2010, as well as BS 8300 accessibility standards: Public buildings and
workplaces must be accessible to people with disabilities, and knobs can pose problems
for many users, because of the need to both grip and twist. A lever can often be
operated by a closed fist, or even an elbow, making its operation much easier for many
people BS 8300 2 states “it should be possible to operate all door opening furniture
one-handed. Without the need to grasp or twist” It also states “Wherever possible, door
opening furniture used in conjunction with locks and latches should have a lever action.
Knobs with a spherical, circular or similar design… are difficult to use by people with
limited dexterity, arthritis or a weak grip.

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GAI GUIDES TO STANDARDS BS EN 1906:2012

The standard - BS EN 1906:2012 Lever handles and knob furniture

Scope: Classification:
The European standard specifies the performance requirements and test methods Almost all European architectural hardware standards follow a common format to
(i.e. durability, static strength, operating torque, corrosion, safety, etc.) for sprung and help ease their understanding by users. Each product is classified under a number of
unsprung lever handles and knobs for doors on backplates or roses. It applies only to performance headings and, generally, these are the same for all products. All products
lever handles and knobs that operate a lock or latch. The standard has 4 grades of are “marked” with a six or more digit classification coding which shows, in fine detail,
performance. Compliance with the standard ensures a margin of strength in excess of that just what levels of product performance are being claimed for the item. The classification
needed for normal operation. The standard has additional graded safety requirements system when applied to all items of architectural hardware, will enable complementary
where a high risk of failing exists. items all to be specified to, for instance, a common level of corrosion resistance,
category of use, door mass, etc.. This standard classifies cylinders using an 8 digit coding

Example:
The following marking denotes a lever handle for use on a door that has a high frequency
of use and is subject to frequent violent use. It may be suitable for use on fire door
assemblies and for use where safety is important. It has a very high corrosion resistance
and a high burglary resistance suitable for external doors. It is of the unsprung type.

4 7 - 1 1 4 3 U

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GAI GUIDES TO STANDARDS BS EN 1906:2012

Classification - BS EN 1303:2015 Cylinders for locks

Digit 1 – Category of use Digit 3 – Door mass Digit 5 – Safety Digit 7 - Security
• Grade 1: medium frequency of use with a high incentive to No requirement. • Grade 0 : normal use • Grade 0 : not approved for use on
exercise care and a small chance of misuse e.g. internal • Grade 1: safety application – to qualify for this burglary resistant doors
residential doors; grade, handles must have high strength handle • Grade 1: mild burglary resistance.
• Grade 2: medium use by people with some incentive to exercise to-plate and plate-to-door fixing and/ or handle • Grade 2: moderate burglary resistance.
care but where there is some chance of misuse e.g. internal to-spindle fixing, such that they would withstand
• Grade 3: high burglary resistance.
office doors; a person grabbing in order to prevent falling. It is
recommended that only Safety Grade 1 furniture • Grade 4: extra high burglary resistance.
• Grade 3: high use by public or others with little incentive to
exercise care and with a high chance of misuse e.g. public is used at the top of cellar steps or other staircases.
office doors;
• Grade 4: high use on doors which are
subject to frequent violent use

4 7 - 1 1 4 3 U
Digit 2 – Number of test Digit 4 – Fire behaviour Digit 6 – Corrosion resistance Digit 8 – Attack resistance
cycles Five grades of fire resistance are identified and shall receive the extension “1” for • Grade 0: no defined corrosion resistance Three operation types are identified:-
• Grade 6: medium use – an optional door cycle test:- • Grade 1: mild resistance – minimum requirement for • Type A: spring assisted furniture
100,000 cycles • Grade 0: no performance determined; internal use
• Grade A: for use on smoke-control doors; • Type B: spring loaded furniture
• Grade 7: high use – • Grade 2: moderate resistance
• Grade A1: for use on smoke-control doors, tested with 200,000 cycles on • Grade 3: high resistance – minimum requirement • Type U: unsprung furniture
200,000 cycles.
a test door; for external use
The tests undertaken to achieve
• Grade B: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors; • Grade 4: very high resistance for use in exposed
these grades involve the application
• Grade B1: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors, tested with marine atmospheres or very polluted industrial
of additional forces to the door
200 000 cycles on a test door; environments.
furniture in order to simulate the
• Grade C: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors with requirements • Grade 5: extremely high resistance
conditions of use likely to be
for fire protection inlays in backplate, rose and escutcheon;
experienced in the field. Note: Products intended to develop a natural patina (such
• Grade C1: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors with
requirements for fire protection inlays in backplate, rose and escutcheon, as bronze or brass) are not required to comply with any
tested with 200,000 cycles on a test door requirements.

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GAI GUIDES TO STANDARDS BS EN 1906:2012

BS 8300 2 and accessibility Specification issues

This standard covers the design of buildings to meet the needs of disabled people. It Security – Security lock furniture is one element of a burglary resistant door assembly
gives recommendations for dimensions of lever furniture, to ensure that it is usable by that includes the door leaf and frame, lock, hinges and the method of fixing. Main
people with a variety of disabilities. In this standard you will find the key dimensions design requirements include the use of at least two through-door fixings which cannot be
represented on a variety of shapes of lever furniture. It is often said that only round bar, detached from the outside. Requirements also include the use of an internal plate with a
return-to-door levers are allowed but this is incorrect. Any design with a cross-section cylinder aperture that closely matches the cylinder profile and that the cylinder does not
of around 19 mm which meets the other dimensional requirements is acceptable. If project more than 3mm from the face of the plate. Springing – It is essential to select the
lever furniture is to be used in public buildings on the defined Access Route through the correct type of lock/latch to suit the associated furniture.
building, then those levers should correspond with the dimensions in the standard as
Type A furniture has light springing only and is dependent on the lock/latch springing to
closely as possible. The standard is guidance, not mandatory.
fully return the lever to the “at rest” position.
Another recommendation of the standard is that lock centres should be at least 72 mm, or
Type B furniture has integral springing capable of returning the lever to its rest position
the keyway should be above the lever. These options achieve two goals:
• It gives a clear view of the keyway (it’s not hidden just under the lever) Type U is dependent wholly on the lock/latch to return it to its rest position.
• It gives better access, with less likelihood of fingers banging into the lever whilst Application – It is most important to specify the correct grade of door furniture for the
manipulating the key. intended application. For example, Category of Use Grade 1 levers are most suited for
light residential use, whereas Grade 4 door furniture is the most appropriate choice for
A GAI Guide to BS 8300 is also available with further information on this Standard.
buildings such as schools and sports stadiums where there will be a high level of use, and
possible abuse.

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GAI GUIDES TO STANDARDS BS EN 1906:2012

Related standards Claims of conformity

• BS EN 12209:2003 and 2016 Building hardware. Locks and latches. Mechanically Conformity to the standard must be clearly and unequivocally stated. Such phrases as
operated locks, latches and locking plates. Requirements and test methods “tested to ...”,”designed to conform to ...”, “approved to ...”, are not sufficient. To avoid
• BS 8300-2:2018 Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment. Buildings. misleading or confusing claims it is recommended that one of the following phrases is
Code of practice used when stating conformity:
• BS EN 1303: 1998 Cylinders for Locks • This product has been successfully type-tested for conformity to all of the
requirements of BS EN 1906 test reports and/or certificates are available upon
• BS EN 1670: Corrosion Resistance
request.
• BS EN 1634-1:Fire Resistance Tests for door and shutter assemblies • This product has been successfully type-tested for conformity to all of the
requirements of BS EN 1906 including the additional requirements for fire/smoke
Fire door assemblies door use*. Test reports and/or certificates are available upon request. *Add as
Lock and latch furniture for use on fire/smoke doors should comply with appropriate appropriate.
requirements of the European standard. • This product has been successfully type-tested for conformity to all of the
requirements of BS EN 1906 including the additional requirements for fire/smoke
In addition:- For lock and latch furniture to be attested suitable for use on fire/ smoke
door use*. Regular audit testing is undertaken. Test reports and/or certificates are
door assemblies, a third set of lock or latch furniture should be incorporated in a door
available upon request.*Add as appropriate.
assembly that has satisfied the criteria of a fire test according to BS EN 1634-1.
• As it is important that a producer is extremely careful about the accuracy of the claims
This furniture should be fitted on to identical design, shape, and size of door assemblies it makes, so it is important for ironmongery specifiers to be equally vigilant in ensuring
compliant with specific fire test requirements. that they ask for, and receive, copies of the Test Certification and Declaration of
Performance.
UKCA/CE/UKNI Marking
BS EN 1906 has not been designated as a harmonised product standard under the
Construction Products Regulation in EU or designated standard and therefore CE/
UKCA/UKNI marking of product to this standard is not permitted.

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GAI GUIDES TO STANDARDS BS EN 1906:2012

GAI Specifiers’ Guides GAI RIBA Approved CPDs

GAI have now published a set of Specifiers Guides relating to ironmongery and access The GAI have eleven CPD presentations which have been approved by RIBA and are all
control product for the Construction industry. These are aimed at assisting all who are available to member companies to purchase and deliver to their architects and specifiers.
involved in the specification process from the architect, architectural technician, interior As these have been approved by RIBA they are all worth double points to RIBA members.
designer, M&E consultant right through to the specifying architectural ironmonger. For further information please see here
There are ten titles as follows:
The following is a list of each CPD presentation:
• Ironmongery, fire doors and intumescent protection (NEW) •Ironmongery, fire doors and intumescent protection (NEW)
• UKCA Marking
•Ironmongery specification in a COVID-19 world
• Ironmongery in a post pandemic world
• Ironmongery and the impact of the Internet of Things
• Ironmongery and the impact of the Internet of Things
• Ironmongery and security (endorsed by Secured by Design) • Ironmongery and the Environment
• Ironmongery and accessibility • Specifiers guide to Access Control
• Ironmongery for fire and escape doors • Ironmongery for fire and escape doors
• Ironmongery for specialist applications • Architects Guide to door hardware
• The specification of access control • Ironmongery and accessibility
• Ironmongery and the impact of the environment • Ironmongery and security
• Ironmongery and specialist applications
GAI Guides to Standards • Installation of fire doors and associated ironmongery
The GAI have an extensive library of Guides to Standards. These Guides provide
information not just on the Standard itself but also some background on the relevant ENDORSED BY

product. The following is a list of the standards on which the Guides are based:
• GAI Introduction to • BS EN 1935 • GAI Guide to doorset IRONMONGERY AND SECURITY
Standards • BS EN 16005 standards GAI SPECIFIER’S GUIDE
The specifier’s guide to security issues relating to doors and

• BS EN 1154 • BS EN 13637 • GAI Guide to BIM

how the specification of the right ironmongery hardware can
help.

• BS EN 1155 • BS EN 12209 (2003 Standards

• BS EN 1125 and 2016) • BS EN 1158
• BS EN 179 • BS 3621/8621/10621 • BS EN 14846
• BS EN 1303 • BS 8300 1&2 • BS EN 1527
• BS EN 1906 • BS 8613

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GAI GUIDES TO STANDARDS BS EN 1906:2012

Code of Practice: Hardware for fire and escape doors Contact details
Further information on the correct selection of items of ironmongery for use on all fire This “Guide to Standard” comes courtesy of the GAI Technical Information Service and
resisting and escape route doors can be found in the “Code of Practice: Hardware for has been written by the GAI Technical Manager, Douglas Masterson.
fire and escape doors” this is available on the GAI website www.gai.org.uk or
www.firecode.org.uk. If you have any further questions then please contact:
Douglas Masterson, GAI Technical Manager:
Telephone: +44 (0)7469 141657
About the GAI
E-mail: [email protected]
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI is the only trade body in the UK that
represents the interests of the whole architectural ironmongery industry - architectural
Sponsors
ironmongers, wholesalers and manufacturers. Its reputation is built on three key areas:
education, technical support and community. The GAI would like to express our gratitude to the sponsors of this manual:

Its qualifications, education and CPD programmes are widely respected in the UK and
overseas, including the GCC and Hong Kong. Its technical information service is the only
specialist service of its kind, providing GAI members with comprehensive advice on issues
relating to the legislation, regulations and standards governing the use of architectural
ironmongery and related hardware.

Bibliography
• BS EN 1906:2012
This GAI Guide to Standards is published electronically by
• Brainyquote.com
• Dictionary.com The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
• Permission to reproduce extracts from British Standards is granted by BSI Standards Ironmongers’ Hall, Shaftesbury Place, Aldersgate Street,
London, EC2Y 8AA
Limited (BSI). No other use of this material is permitted.
British Standards can be obtained in PDF or hard copy formats from the BSI online Telephone: +44 (0)20 7033 2480
shop: www.bsigroup.com/Shop www.gai.org.uk

© The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers Limited

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