EN1906 - Classification Code for Lever Handle and Knob Furniture

In our previous article, we explored the classification codes for EN12209 mechanical locks and strike plates. This time, we will focus on the standardized performance grading of a complementary component—lever handles and knob furniture—according to the EN 1906 standard. Utilizing an 8 - digit coding system, this standard enables precise categorization of door furniture across dimensions such as usage category, durability, and corrosion resistance. Furthermore, by linking these codes with products like locks and door closers, it offers architects and developers an engineering-level solution for cross-category door hardware performance matching. This fundamentally guarantees the overall compliance and safety of fire door systems.

                                                                   Classification

Digit 1 - Category of use

Four grades of use are identified:

Grade 1: medium frequency of use by people with a high incentive to exercise care and with a small chance of misuse, e.g. internal residential doors;

Grade 2: medium frequency of use by people with some incentive to exercise care but where there is some chance of misuse, e.g. internal office doors;

Grade 3: high frequency of use by public or others with little incentive to exercise care and with a high chance of misuse, e.g. public office doors;

Grade 4: high frequency of use on doors which are subject to frequent violent usage, e.g. football

stadiums, offshore installations (oil rigs), barracks, public toilets, etc

Digit 2 - Durability

Two grades of durability are identified:

Grade 6: medium frequency of use: 100 000 cycles;

Grade 7: high frequency of use: 200 000 cycles

Digit 3 - Door mass

No classification

Digit 4 - Fire resistance

Five grades of fire resistance are identified and shall receive the extension ”1” for an optional door cycle test:

Grade 0: no performance determined;

Grade A: for use on smoke-control doors;

Grade A1: for use on smoke-control doors, tested with 200 000 cycles on a test door;

Grade B: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors;

Grade B1: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors, tested with 200 000 cycles on a test door;

Grade C: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors with requirements for fire protection inlays in backplate, rose and escutcheon;

Grade C1: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors with requirements for fire protection inlays in backplate, rose and escutcheon, tested with 200 000 cycles on a test door;

Grade D: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors with requirements for special core in the

handle/knob;

Grade D1: for use on smoke-control and fire-resistant doors with requirements for special core in the handle/knob, tested with 200 000 cycles on a test door

Digit 5 - Safety

Two grades of safety are identified:

Grade 0: normal use;

Grade 1: safety applications

Digit 6 - Corrosion resistance 

Six grades of corrosion resistance are identified in accordance with EN 1670:2007 as follows:

Grade 0: no performance determined;

Grade 1: mild resistance;

Grade 2: moderate resistance;

Grade 3: high resistance;

Grade 4: very high resistance;

Grade 5: extremely high resistance

Digit 7 - Security

Five grades of security are identified:

Grade 0: no performance determined;

Grade 1: mild burglary resistance;

Grade 2: moderate burglary resistance;

Grade 3: high burglary resistance;

Grade 4: extra high burglary resistance

Digit 8 - Type of operation

Three types of operation are identified:

Type A: spring-assisted furniture;

Type B: spring-loaded furniture;

Type U: unsprung furniture

Example：

Let's take our DIROCK Grade 3 lever handle as an example. Its code 3 7 - B1 1 4 0 B breaks down as follows:

Category of use (3) : Our lever handle is designed for high-traffic areas with potential misuse, 

such as shopping center doors—where frequent use and less careful handling occur.

Durability (7) : Passed 200,000 test cycles in durability testing.

Door mass (-): No classification.

Fire resistance (B1): Our lever handle is suitable for use on fire-resistant and smoke-control doors, 

tested with 200,000cycles on a test door.

Safety (1): Engineered for safety-critical applications.

Corrosion resistance (4): Our lever handle achieved very high rating (240h) per EN1670.

Security (0): No performance determined.

Type of operation (B): Spring-loaded with automatic return function.

In addition to our Grade 3 lever handle, DIROCK also offers Grade 4 lever handle, which has passed rigorous tests and comes with a comprehensive test report. Its code is 4 7 - B1 1 5 0 B.

DIROCK door lever handles, performance certified to EN1906 standard, sizes cetified to DIN18275/18255, and fire-resistance certified to EN1634-1.

For full test reports or bulk procurement of fire-rated door hardware, contact the DIROCK team now for technical documentation and a competitive quote.