🛣️ Test of the resistance of complete windows and doors to wind load — the product, fixed as in use to the open side of a chamber, is subjected to positive and negative pressures: P1 (measurement of frontal deflection and relative frontal deflection of frame members), P2 = 0,5 P1 (50 cycles from −P2 to +P2) and P3 = 1,5 P1 (one safety test cycle), with air permeability measured according to EN 1026 before and after the cycles, PN-EN 12211

Construction PN-EN 12211

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. We read the text of the standard in the iTeh sample of SIST EN 12211:2016 (text of EN 12211:2016, English): from the title page through the contents, European foreword and Clauses 1–6 up to and including 7.4 (safety test — parameters of the P3 cycle) on page 7. Outside the sample remain the rest of 7.4, Clauses 8–10 (deflection, repeated pressure, safety test — expression of results), the test report (11) and Annexes A (deflection measurements) and B (test sequence).

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF EN 12211:2016 (foreword, Clauses 1–7.4). The standard was prepared by CEN/TC 33 “Doors, windows, shutters, building hardware and curtain walling” (secretariat AFNOR); it superseded EN 12211:2000; according to the foreword the revision only clarifies the method and does not affect existing test evidence; changes include the definition of closing condition, a simplified definition of test pressure, a new definition of accuracy in 5.4, the closing condition in 7.1, a supplemented description of the specimen in the report, renumbered and supplemented figures in Annexes A and B. Scope (1): resistance to wind load of completely assembled windows and pedestrian doorsets of any material under positive or negative pressures, taking account of conditions in use when installed according to the manufacturer; it does not apply to joints between the frame and the building, nor to the strength of the glass. References (2): EN 1026, EN 12519. Terms (3): closed, fastened (latched or locked), secured; frontal displacement — movement of a point of a frame member normal to the member; frontal deflection — maximum frontal displacement minus half the sum of the displacements at the ends of the member; relative frontal deflection — frontal deflection divided by the length of the member; test pressure — difference between static air pressures inside and outside the chamber (positive when higher inside); P1 — for measuring deflections, P2 — pulsating pressure for 50 cycles, P3 — safety assessment under extreme conditions; P2 = 0,5 P1, P3 = 1,5 P1. Principle (4): a series of positive and negative pressures with measurements and inspections of relative frontal deflection and damage. Apparatus (5): chamber with an open side for the specimen, not deflecting under pressure; controlled pressure and rapid changes of it; air flow measurement accurate to ± 5 % above 1 m3/h and ± 0,05 m3/h up to 1 m3/h (accuracy = sum of error and expanded uncertainty, according to the note); pressure measurement accurate to ± 5 %; dial gauges or displacement transducers with a resolution of 0,1 mm and accuracy of ± 5 %; measuring tape ± 1 mm. Preparation (6): specimen fixed as in use, without twists, fully operable, clean and dry; gauges at both ends and the centre of the measured frame member, or one gauge at the centre of a rigid beam supported near the ends of the member (Figures A.1–A.4). Procedure (7): ambient (10–30) °C and (25–75) % humidity, conditioning at least 4 h immediately before testing; closing condition according to the manufacturer; sequence according to Figure B.1; air permeability according to EN 1026 before pressures P1 and P2; deflection (7.2): record the member lengths; three pulses 10 % higher than P1, rise at least 1 s, held at least 3 s; zero the gauges; P1 according to the required class at a rate not exceeding 100 Pa/s, after 30 s record deflections or displacements; reduce to 0 Pa not faster than 100 Pa/s and after (60 ± 5) s record the residual deflection; the same with negative pressure; repeated pressure (7.3): 50 cycles of P2, first step negative, last positive, change from −P2 to +P2 and back (7 ± 3) s, P2 held at least (7 ± 3) s; then open and close the moving parts, record damage and functional defects, repeat air permeability according to EN 1026; safety test (7.4): one cycle of P3, negative first, change from 0 to −P3 and back (7 ± 3) s, P3 held (7 ± 3) s.

STATUS (as of 03.10.2026). The PKN search (term “PN-EN 12211”, 03.10.2026) shows PN-EN 12211:2016-04 (English version, “Introduces: EN 12211:2016 [IDT]”) without a withdrawal note and the withdrawn PN-EN 12211:2001 (Polish version, replaced by PN-EN 12211:2016-04); the other items are different standards with a similar number (PN-EN ISO 12211 — spiral plate heat exchangers, PN-EN 122110). In the iTeh catalogue (read on 03.10.2026) EN 12211:2016 has the status “Published” and stage 90.93 “Decision to confirm — Review Enquiry” (start date 05.09.2021).

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, load up to 17.09.2026, read on 03.10.2026). The number 12211 appears in 13 records at 5 laboratories: AB 023 (7), AB 661, AB 1054 (2), AB 1596 (2), AB 1671. In the current PCA documents (read on 03.10.2026, issues from 16.07.2025 to 02.09.2026) the number appears in 13 rows of the same laboratories (AB 023 — 7, AB 1054 — 2, AB 1596 — 2, the others 1 each). The form “PN-EN 12211” without year, marked “N” (AB 023, AB 1054, AB 1596; “N” — according to the scope legend a method used in notification activities under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011), “PN-EN 12211:2016 “N”” (AB 661), “PN-EN 12211:2016-04” (AB 1671) and the withdrawn “PN-EN 12211:2001” (AB 1596, one row); at AB 023 alongside among others PN-EN 16361 (doors) and procedures LK-139 and XX-0404 (balcony enclosures). None of these items is suspended. The “Laboratories” tab (“PN-EN 12211”) shows the same 5 laboratories — checked with the tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 03.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (items in PCA). Windows, including balcony doors, roof windows and assemblies (AB 023, scope “E”), doors, doorsets, leaves and frames (AB 023), enclosures of balconies, loggias and terraces (AB 023), windows, balcony doors and external doors (AB 1054), windows and doors up to 7000 mm wide and 4000 mm high (AB 661), windows and external doors up to 6000 mm × 6500 mm (AB 1671), doors, windows and blinds (AB 1596, bilingual). Characteristic: resistance to wind load; pressure ranges: (−5000 – +5000) Pa (AB 023), (−3600 – +3600) Pa (AB 661), (−7500 – 7500) Pa (AB 1671); some items marked “+” (according to the scope legend — tests at and outside the laboratory premises). Blinds and balcony enclosures are not in the scope of the standard (Clause 1: windows and pedestrian doorsets).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. With the sequence: air permeability according to EN 1026 before P1 and P2 and again after the 50 cycles (7.1, 7.3). With deflection: three preliminary pulses 10 % above P1, zeroing, P1 not faster than 100 Pa/s, reading after 30 s, residual deflection after (60 ± 5) s (7.2.2). With measurement: gauges at the ends and centre of the member or a reference beam — frontal deflection is not just the displacement of the centre (3.3, 6.2). With cycles: 50 cycles of P2 = 0,5 P1, negative start, times (7 ± 3) s (7.3). With the safety test: P3 = 1,5 P1, negative first (7.4). With conditions: (10–30) °C, (25–75) % RH, conditioning ≥ 4 h, closing condition according to the manufacturer (7.1). With the object: the standard does not assess joints with the building or glass strength (1).

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We did not read the expression of results for deflection, repeated pressure and safety test (Clauses 8–10), the content of the test report, the figures of gauge positions and the test sequence (Annexes A and B). Nor do we give wind resistance classes or P1 values for classes (EN 12210).

Method principle

A complete window or door, fixed as in use to the open side of a chamber, is loaded with positive and negative pressure difference: at P1 the frontal deflection of frame members is measured (gauges at the ends and centre), at P2 = 0,5 P1 50 cycles from −P2 to +P2 are performed, and at P3 = 1,5 P1 — one safety test cycle. Air permeability according to EN 1026 is tested before loading and after the P2 cycles.

Applications

• Completely assembled windows and pedestrian doorsets of any material (1)
• Assessment under conditions in use when installed according to the manufacturer; excluding joints with the building and glass strength (1)
• Windows, external and balcony doors, doorsets, balcony enclosures, blinds — items in the accreditation scopes of 5 laboratories in PCA

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 12211:2016-04

Title (PL)

Okna i drzwi — Odporność na obciążenie wiatrem — Metoda badania

Title (EN)

Windows and doors — Resistance to wind load — Test method

Step-by-step procedure

1. Preparation

   Mounting as in use, conditioning ≥ 4 h at (10–30) °C, closing condition according to the manufacturer. PN-EN 12211:2016-04 without a withdrawal note (03.10.2026).

2. Air permeability

   According to EN 1026 before loading.

3. Deflection at P1

   Preliminary pulses, P1 positive and negative, reading after 30 s and residual deflection after 60 s.

4. Repeated pressure P2

   50 cycles, check of operation and damage, EN 1026 again.

5. Safety test P3

   One cycle, negative first; we do not give the expression of results (Clauses 8–10).

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• The safety test at P3 can destroy the specimen — do not stay near the chamber during loading
• Large and heavy elements — mounting following lifting rules

Frequently asked questions