28/2/2024
After the European Accreditation Council decided that ExAps (Extended Applications) may also be accredited, 23 ExAps were added in November 2023 to the scope of Efectis in The Netherlands according to EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
However, accreditation of ExAp is not possible in all countries today. Extending the application of test results from fire resistance and/or smoke leakage tests is an essential construction safety aspect that can be used to design a safe building.
For test results based on the test standards EN 1364-1, EN 1364-2, EN 1364-3, EN 1365-1, EN 1366-2, EN 1366-3, EN 1366-4 EN 1634-1 and EN 1634-3, Efectis can issue Extended Application reports.
Thanks to these Extended Application standards, Efectis can design test programmes for customers in order to test as efficiently as possible. These programmes can not only reduce the number of tests but are also especially interesting for customers who want to, for example, increase dimensions of constructions or vary construction components such as locks and hinges.
Efectis has used ExAps since 2012. The ExAps describe the rules for extension of certain test results of various constructions. For example, when a door construction is tested at Efectis according to the test standard for doors, a certain fire resistance, such as 60 minutes, can be achieved. Such a door construction can be considered for various (construction) extensions using the Extended Application standard. If a surplus value of fire resistance is achieved, various construction components can even be enlarged.
In the Efectis fire laboratory, fire resistance and smoke resistance tests are carried out on, for instance, window and door constructions made either of wood, steel or metal, sometimes hinged doors, sometimes sliding doors or rolling shutters. Test reports of these tests can be used for classification documents, which state the achieved fire resistance and/or smoke resistance and comply with the European standard. The ExAp report and the test report are both used for the classification report. The added value of an ExAp report is that the more extensive scope of application of the construction is described in the classification document. Because of our accreditation, there can no longer be any doubt about the accuracy, quality and applications of the described extensions. The classification document is essential for a manufacturer to demonstrate how its products can be applied. This is in contrast to an assessment that only has a national scope and does not have a formal status in The Netherlands.
Choose smart
Construction methods are changing, and this has an effect on issues such as fire resistance and smoke resistance. For many changes to construction components, rules have been drawn up within the ExAp standards. It is important to make smart choices with the customer regarding what components are needed to achieve the largest possible market reach for the customer. The starting point is the dot on the customer’s horizon. By applying the ExAp rules in combination with the wishes of the customer, the number of tests can be reduced. This saves a lot of time, so products can be put on the market faster.
That is the basis for a cleverly chosen test plan. With the choices made, the test plan is executed to provide input to the ExAp report. The achieved test results and the resulting expansions are substantiated in this way.
Review of standards
Due to changing regulations in combination with insights into construction or architectural requirements, the European standards are not static documents. The necessary changes must be supported by various parties. Committees for standards have been set up to implement the changes. Together with trade associations and other laboratories in Europe, Efectis takes part in committees to maintain, amend or improve European standards, test standards, classification standards, product standards, but ExAp standards as well..
For more information, please contact Robert Scheepe or George Scholten