oSIST prEN 12217:2011

Overview

The European Standard oSIST prEN 12217:2011 titled Doors - Operating forces - Requirements and classification provides essential guidelines for assessing the manual operating forces of pedestrian doorsets. Published by CEN (European Committee for Standardization), this standard applies to hinged, pivoted, and sliding doorsets equipped with latches. It focuses specifically on the forces required to open, close, engage, release, lock, and unlock door hardware manually using a handle or key.

This standard excludes the measurement of operating forces when self-closing devices are engaged and does not apply to doorsets with special hardware such as emergency exit devices. oSIST prEN 12217:2011 covers doorsets made from any material and extends to some glazed doors involving latch hardware.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  oSIST prEN 12217:2011 targets pedestrian doorsets operated manually, excluding powered or automatic door systems. It provides a classification system based on standardized testing (per EN 12046-2) for opening, closing, locking, and unlocking forces.

• Classification of Operating Forces
  The standard defines classes (0 through 5) to rate the required forces and torques for door operation, allowing manufacturers and specifiers to benchmark ease of use. These classes correspond to maximum permissible forces in Newtons (N) and torques in Newton-meters (Nm) for:

  • Closing force to commence motion
  • Hand-operated hardware (e.g., handles, keys)
  • Finger-operated hardware (e.g., thumbturns, push buttons)

• Test Methods
  Testing follows EN 12046-2 procedures, ensuring consistent and reproducible measurement of operating forces for doorsets. Results are classified to inform product quality, accessibility, and safety considerations.

• Terminology and Definitions
  Terms are harmonized with EN 12519:2004, ensuring consistency in describing door components like doorsets, hardware, and latches.

Applications

• Accessibility Compliance
  oSIST prEN 12217:2011 assists architects, engineers, and manufacturers in ensuring doors meet accessibility standards by quantifying effort required for manual operation. Lower force classifications support ease of use for elderly or disabled individuals.

• Quality Assurance for Door Manufacturers
  Manufacturers use this standard to validate the performance of door hardware and construction, optimizing designs for comfortable and safe pedestrian use.

• Building Regulations and Codes
  Building inspectors and regulatory bodies reference this classification to enforce building codes related to door usability and safety, especially in public buildings and workplaces.

• Facility Management
  Facilities managers may assess existing doorsets against oSIST prEN 12217:2011 criteria to plan maintenance or upgrades focused on user convenience and compliance.

Related Standards

• EN 12046-2: Operating Forces - Test Method for Doors
  Defines the standardized test procedures used to measure operating forces that oSIST prEN 12217:2011 classifies.

• EN 12519:2004 - Windows and Pedestrian Doors Terminology
  Provides the definitions and terminology related to doors and hardware referenced in oSIST prEN 12217:2011.

• EN 12217:2003
  The previous version of this door operating forces classification standard that oSIST prEN 12217:2011 supersedes.

• Accessibility Standards (e.g., EN 17210)
  While oSIST prEN 12217:2011 focuses on operating force, it complements broader accessibility standards concerning door usability and barrier-free design.

Keywords: oSIST prEN 12217:2011, door operating forces, doorset classification, pedestrian doors, door hardware testing, manual door operation, EN 12046-2, door closing force, door handle torque, European door standard, accessibility compliance, CEN standards, sliding doors, hinged doors, door force measurement.