The document outlines the 10 step process for door testing and certification from project planning through labeling. The steps include initial project planning, testing, reporting, certification planning, factory auditing, and labeling. Testing involves fire, windstorm, and tornado resistance testing following relevant standards and taking 1-7 days to complete depending on the door and standards. Certification allows doors to be legally labeled showing they passed third party testing.

1. The Door Testing and Certification Guide
Project Planning to Labeling in 10 Simple Steps
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2. Door Testing and Certification:
Project Planning to Labeling in 10 Simple Steps
From project planning and test assembly preparation to certification planning and factory
audit preparation you’ll learn the simple steps you can take to speed the testing and
certification process. Our whitepaper details the door testing and certification process
including technical and regulatory requirements, project timelines, and test setup
procedures for Fire Testing, Windstorm Resistance, and Tornado Resistance projects.
What are the 10 steps of door testing and certification?
• Step 1: Project Planning
• Step 2: Project Proposal
• Step 3: Initial Product Review
• Step 4: Pre-Test Inspection (For Certification Test Only)
• Step 5: Test Assembly Preparation
• Step 6: Testing (Fire, Windstorm / Tornado Resistance)
• Step 7: Reporting
• Step 8: Certification Planning
• Step 9: Initial Factory Audit
• Step 10: Labeling
Step 1: Project Planning
• Client identifies product(s) for qualification
• Client supplies product information – construction and application drawings
• Client identifies target markets for sale or distribution
• Client identifies which ratings or standards will need to be met
• Timeline: Dependent on client delivery of project information
Step 2: Project Proposal
• Client supplies information collected in Step 1 as noted above
• Intertek prepares and delivers project proposal – often attached are credit
applications and client information forms for expediency.
• Client completes and returns the proposal or suggests revisions as necessary. A
deposit for the subtotal amount may be required at this stage.
• A copy of the signed proposal is forwarded to Intertek’s certification department
• Timeline: Intertek’s proposal is delivered within 48 hours
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3. Step 3: Initial Product Review
• Intertek evaluates product information, drawings, etc. and advises on any areas of
concern.
o At this point the client may need to address concerns before making test
samples.
• Timeline: Projects are opened within 2-4 days of receipt of signed paperwork. The
review begins within 3-4 days after the project has been opened. The review time
may vary depending on curing time and product.
Step 4: Pre-Test Inspection (For Certification Test Only)
• An Intertek representative will:
o Witness and document construction of test sample
o Review component and assembly drawings, material type, size and
dimension
o Prepare a “Pre-Test Inspection Report” and send to Intertek lab
o Sign the test sample/package to be opened only at the test lab
• The client will:
o Seal and package the test sample
o If the sample requires custom clearance, it is advised to mark “Test
Samples for Destructive Testing, Commercial Value is Zero” on the
package and send to the Intertek lab designated in proposal
• Timeline:
o Domestic: Pretest sampling - up to 2 weeks. Doors are usually allowed
up to 28 days for adhesive conditioning then trimmed to test frame size.
Delivery to the lab is usually 1 week thereafter.
o International: Pretest sampling - up to 3 weeks. Delivery of the prepared
samples to the test lab may take 4-6 weeks depending on client’s
selected shipping method.
Step 5: Test Assembly Preparation
• Option 1 – Client prehangs the doors for test and ships to Intertek to be installed in
test setup.
• Option 2 – Client sends the doors to Intertek for machining and installation in test
setup.
• Upon receipt, technicians will inspect the samples. If all match the Pre-Test
Inspection Report, construction of the test assemblies will begin.
• Test assemblies are built in accordance with the test plan including all assembly
components.
• Timeline: Test plans are based on client preference and availability. Test assemblies
can be prepared in as few as 2 days if all materials have been supplied. Where
cementitious materials are used a cure time of 7 days is normally required.
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4. Step 6a: Fire Testing
• Conducted under positive or neutral pressure following standard time vs.
temperature curves.
• Doors must meet temperature rise criteria (when applicable), resist the passage of
fire, and stay securely in the opening through the test period.
• Test methods include but are not limited to:
o US & Canada: NFPA 252, UL 10 (B/C), UBC 7-2 (1994/1997), CAN4
S104
o International: BS 476, parts 21 & 22 and ISO 3008.
• Timeline: Ranges from 20 minutes to 3 hours depending on product construction and
requirements of standard
Step 6a: Fire Testing Test Setup
• Research Scale or Pilot Scale: Provides data prior to larger scale tests. Used to
qualify a variable in the assembly and components (Example: Adhesives).
• Mid-Scale: Used when single swing doors are required.
• Full-Scale: Used for multiple doors or a pair in a test wall.
Step 6b: Windstorm Resistance Testing
• Testing of hurricane-resistant products
o Required for State of Florida, and may be required in IRC and IBC from
the Gulf coast up the Eastern seaboard.
• Test standards include:
o Door assemblies: ASTM E330, ASTM E1886, ASTM E1996
o Door assemblies: TAS 201, TAS 202, TAS 203 for Miami Dade County
o Individual components: ANSI A250.13
• Timeline: Tests typically range from 3 to 7 days depending on size and/or
configuration, and number of rating options needed.
Step 6b: Windstorm Resistance Test Setup
• Several approaches
o Assembly tests to High Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements for South
Florida (Miami Dade) approval (TAS 201,202, 203); also requires
notification of upcoming test via Miami Dade submittal
o Component testing per ANSI A250.13
o Assembly tests per ASTM E1886/E1996
o Combination component and assembly testing to Miami Dade
requirements, ANSI A250.13 and ASTM E1886/E1996
• Product design must be documented and verified by a pre-test inspection, or post-
test examination of cut sections.
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5. • Client must specify target design load (DL)…….enhanced protection, etc). If client is
unsure of what his product's DL may be, an R & D test project will be conducted to
establish the appropriate DL.)
• Structural performance testing is conducted first at 1.5 times the DL. If Miami-Dade
requirements are also required, the water penetration, air infiltration and forced entry
tests will be conducted within this first series of tests.
• Impact testing is then conducted, with the cyclic load tests conducted following.
Doors must remain closed, and prevent penetration of the missile(s).
• Variations in the assembly (i.e., anchorage, hardware options, etc) will be considered,
and may be included in the 3 assemblies required for the impact and cyclic load tests.
These variations should be discussed with your project manager prior to the start of
testing.
• Glazed doors and/or frames with sidelights and/or transoms require separate tests.
• Tests are conducted on the largest size to be certified.
Step 6c: Tornado Resistance Testing
• Testing of tornado-resistant products including static load and impact
• Test methods include:
o FEMA 320 - Taking Shelter from the Storm – Building a Safe Room in
Your House
o FEMA 361 - Design and Construction Guidance for Community Shelter
o National Storm Shelter Association requirements
• Note: Work is currently being done to develop a formal ANSI test method.
• Timeline: Tornado resistance testing can be completed in 1 day.
Step 6c: Tornado Resistance Test Setup
• Testing is assembly based
• Installed in simulated wall – typically wood framing, concrete or CMU with specified
anchorage
• Impact test with 15 pound 2x4 at 100 miles per hour (5,014 foot-pounds)
• Impact at multiple locations including near latch and hinge points
• Static load tests (positive and negative) at 250 PSF on separate (unimpacted)
assembly
• Assemblies must prevent missile penetration, remain closed and limit dynamic
deflection to 3” or less
Step 7: Reporting
• Upon successful test results Intertek will issue:
o Test Report or Engineering Evaluation Report (Listing Report for
Certification) to the client and Intertek Certification department
o Draft Listing and Authorization to Mark (ATM) to the Intertek Certification
department.
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6. Step 8: Certification Planning
• Intertek sends the client a “Certification & Listing Agreement”.
o The client signs and returns the document along with a deposit (if
applicable) to Intertek.
o The client receives a signed copy for records.
• Note: Not all products require a physical label as some only need to be “Listed”. For
those products that do require a label, presence of an authorized label, such as
Intertek’s WH Mark, is the only legal proof that a third party has certified the product.
• Timeline: Once the listing report has been accepted a certification agreement is
prepared.
Step 9: Initial Factory Audit (IFA)
• An Intertek inspector will visit your factory:
o Review flow chart of production process and in-house quality control
during production
o Review training records of critical personnel
o Conduct raw material inspection & QC done by factory
o Witness a representative layup
o Complete final inspection after production is completed (prior to shipping)
o Secure arrangements and certification label controller
o If the IFA is successful, the inspector will provide the Authorization to
Mark (ATM).
• Timeline: Domestic – 10 days, International – 14 days
Step 10: Labeling
• The client may apply certification labels to the product, packaging, or both
(recommended).
• An Intertek inspector will conduct unannounced, quarterly inspections to verify all
processes identified during the IFA are being followed.
• Non-conformances are immediately reported to the client and Intertek.
o The client is required to resolve immediately and communicate evidence
of resolution to Intertek.
o Delay / failure to resolve can result in suspension or termination of
certification.
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7. Additional Resources
How can I further accelerate the process?
• Using our proprietary web-based tool you can:
o Initiate projects online and track project status
o Access listings and specs via a secure site - 24/7/365
o Distribute notifications of product updates, listings to customers
o Replace paper delivery and 3-ring binder system
o Educate customers by mapping marketing literature, installation
instructions, etc. to a product listing
o Print your own labels
… Get the product information you need sooner so you can manufacture and market
your products faster.
Are their any quick hints to be aware of?
• Once the Listing Report has been accepted a Certification Agreement is prepared…
sign and return agreement on that day and it can be finalized by Intertek within 1-2
days.
• The Certification Agreement can be issued when the signed proposal is returned.
Once Intertek has a signed agreement and an accepted Listing Report, only the
Factory Audit is remaining.
• Subscribe to SpecDirect and speed the entire process. The SpecDirect contract can
be offered along with the testing program proposal.
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8. About Intertek
Intertek is recognized by all major code bodies throughout the world. We are a Nationally
Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) by OSHA; recognized by Standards Council of
Canada (SCC); and A2LA, APLAC, and ILAC accredited for Asia and other parts of the
world. In North America we are recognized by the International Codes Council Evaluation
Service (ICC-ES) and serve as an administrator for multiple Builders Hardware
Manufacturers Association (BHMA) certification programs.
What testing, certification, and evaluation services does Intertek offer?
• WH Mark for North America
• Performance evaluations; durability and product comparison
• Environmental testing
• Flammability, flame spread, and fire resistance testing
• Structural, physical and mechanical evaluations
What specific accreditations does Intertek hold?
• ICC-International Accreditation Services (IAS) for testing and certification of building
materials
• American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
• Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
• Testing Laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025
• Inspection Agency accredited to ISO/IEC 17020
• Certification Organization accredited to ISO Guide 65
For more information on Intertek’s door testing and certification capabilities or to
start a project right away, call 1-800-967-5352,
email icenter@intertek.com, or visit www.intertek-etlsemko.com.
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