🏗️ Windows, doors, shutters and blinds (with infills) — bullet resistance, test method for classification according to EN 1522: firing with ammunition of the resistance class, three shots into each selected sensitive area, witness foil of aluminium 0.02 mm 0.5 m behind the test specimen, assessment of perforation and splinters (S / NS); PN-EN 1523

Construction PN-EN 1523

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. According to clause 1 of EN 1523:1998 the standard defines a test procedure to permit classification of the bullet resistance of windows, doors, shutters and blinds (complete with their infills). It concerns only the behaviour of the frame of the window, door, shutter or blind, their infills and the junctions between the infills and frames. If windows and doors are subjected to specific conditions of climate, specific conditions of test may be required. It does not apply to the testing of glass infills — for these it refers to prEN 1063 (today PN-EN 1063:2002 in laboratory scopes). It gives no information on the behaviour of the frame under other types of stress or on the bullet resistance of the junction between the frame and the wall or other surrounding structure (note: joints with the wall should have a bullet resistance at least equal to that of the window, door, shutter or blind). Shutters and blinds are tested separately, not together with a window or door. Classes and requirements are given in EN 1522 (normative reference) — EN 1523 is a test method. "Scope" field of the PKN card for PN-EN 1523:2000 (Polish version): "A test procedure is specified permitting classification of the bullet resistance of windows, doors, shutters and blinds of openings (together with their infills)…".

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF EN 1523:1998 — TERMS, APPARATUS, TEST SPECIMENS, PROCEDURE (foreword, clauses 1–6.5). The standard was prepared by CEN/TC 33 (Doors, windows, shutters and building hardware; secretariat AFNOR); CEN approved it on 4 September 1998; national implementation and withdrawal of conflicting national standards — at the latest by April 1999; the standard has five informative annexes with examples of target points and firing directions. Terms (clause 3): perforation — piercing of the test specimen by a bullet or bullet fragments, or creation of an opening from the attack face to the rear face, including: the bullet or any part of it passing through the specimen, splitting of the rear surface by the bullet or part of it (even if the bullet is visibly retained in the rear of the specimen) and creation of an opening right through the specimen, even if it closes again afterwards; witness foil — sheet behind the specimen to detect splinters ejected from its rear face and to determine the risk of injury; presence of splinters "S" — no perforation of the specimen but perforation of the witness foil by splinters ejected from the rear face; absence of splinters "NS" — no perforation of the witness foil; striking distance — distance between the centres of two target points; bullet velocity — measured within 2.5 m in front of the attack face; test range — from the muzzle to the attack face; submission document — mandatory set of documents delivered to the laboratory with the specimen. Apparatus (clause 4): a specimen support rigid enough not to deflect under impacts; a witness foil of aluminium foil 0.02 mm thick weighing 54 g/m2, large enough to detect all splinters, with its edges mounted rigidly in a frame; a splinters collecting box; weapons or proof barrels; a velocity measuring device with an accuracy of ± 1.0 m/s; ammunition corresponding to the required resistance class in Table 1 or 2 of EN 1522. Test specimens (clause 5): the number and types are determined by the laboratory from the drawings of the complete window, door, shutter or blind; the size is agreed between the laboratory and the applicant; infill of uniform quality, not smaller than 0.5 m × 0.5 m (unless the complete infill is smaller), with the attack face clearly marked; infills are tested together with the frame, except previously tested glass infills conforming to prEN 1063 — the junctions between glass and frame are always tested; a glass infill shall have at least the resistance required for the window or door; specimens are stored for not less than 24 h in the vertical position at 18 °C ± 5 °C and maintained at this temperature throughout the test. Installation (6.1): correct alignment of all components, fixings without stresses influencing the result, hardware, mechanisms and movable sashes operable; shutter laths or blinds are moved as far as possible to one side to fire on the maximum edge clearance that can occur in use; the witness foil is positioned 0.5 m behind the specimen (from its mean centre line), the splinters collecting box between the specimen and the foil. Selection of target areas (6.2): from an analysis of the design the laboratory selects sensitive areas — where the bullet trajectory can a) meet the least resistance, b) cause degradation giving access to an opening mechanism that remains operable, or c) cause unwanted opening; the note to 6.2 lists reinforced areas, junctions between frame and fixed or opening elements and between infill and frame, hardware and construction joints (hinges, locks, handles, corners, profile joints). If different reinforcements or materials are used in different parts of the frame, each is tested; a door threshold is tested at the applicant's request, otherwise the summary of the test report states that this location offers no bullet resistance. Arrangement of shots (6.3): each area receives three shots, target points are marked on the specimen before firing; on large areas and on sufficiently long lines the striking distance is not less than 120 mm, otherwise not less than 3 calibres; on previously certified infills the junction with the rebate is fired upon with 1 shot at the centre of each of 3 sides; locations smaller than 3 calibres — each similar location with up to 3 shots. Number of shots (6.4): three into each selected area, in the predetermined direction and angle. Firing direction (6.5): angle of attack 90° to the centre of the specimen or the angle at which the bullet will be most effective; target points and directions are shown on the drawings attached to the test report.

STATUS (PKN card as of 10.11.2026). The card for PN-EN 1523:2000 (Polish version) has no withdrawal label: published 29-12-2000, 17 pages, KT 169 for Windows, Doors, Shutters and Hardware, "Implements: EN 1523:1998 [IDT]", ICS 13.310, 91.060.50. iTeh catalogue (read 10.11.2026): EN 1523:1998 — CEN/TC 33, published 21.10.1998, stage "9060 – Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry" (periodic review enquiry closed), related to EN 1522:1998.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (accreditation scope database of the service and the "Laboratories" tab on labcoda.pl, read 10.11.2026). The standard appears in 10 records at 6 Polish laboratories: AB 1771 (4 records: windows, doors, shutters and blinds — bullet resistance and fragment resistance; protective glazing, vehicles and containers; armour and armouring systems — "PN-EN 1523:2000" next to PN-EN 1522:2000, PN-EN 1063:2002, STANAG 4569 and VPAM), AB 171 (2: glazing, windows, doors, shutters and blinds; protective vests and clothing, personal shields and shields), AB 035, AB 083 and AB 155 (1 each) and AB 1874 (1 record, notation "PN-EN 1523-200" — in the database without the end of the year). Outside Poland — 2 Czech records (1128 — windows, doors, closures and roller shutters; 1139 — glass in building). Not included in the set are records with "PN-EN ISO 1523" and "ČSN EN ISO 1523" (flash point — another standard: AB 008, Czech 1007.4). The "Laboratories" tab ("PN-EN 1523") shows 8 laboratories (6 PL, 2 CZ) and 12 items. We have not compared the current PCA scope documents of these laboratories with the database.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (scope database, complete items). AB 035 — construction materials, windows, doors, shutters and blinds: bullet resistance. AB 155 — windows, doors, shutters, blinds and their infills: bullet resistance. AB 171 — glazing, windows, doors, shutters, blinds and protective vests and clothing, personal shields and shields: bullet resistance. AB 083 — construction materials, including armour and shields, bullet-resistant glazing: bullet resistance. AB 1771 — windows, doors, shutters, blinds: bullet resistance and fragment resistance; protective glazing, vehicles, containers, armour. AB 1874 — steel sheets and construction materials: bullet resistance. Clause 1 of EN 1523 does not mention vests, armour, vehicles or sheets — in these items the standard stands next to STANAG, VPAM, NIJ and PN-V-87000.

WHERE AN APPARENTLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Specimen: an infill smaller than 0.5 m × 0.5 m (when the complete infill is larger), stored for less than 24 h or outside 18 °C ± 5 °C, with fixings introducing stresses or with inoperable hardware does not meet clause 5 and 6.1; a blind not moved to one side does not show the maximum edge clearance. Firing: areas are selected at the weakest points, not at random; too few shots (fewer than three per area) or a striking distance below 120 mm on large areas and lines (or below 3 calibres where space is lacking) changes the conditions; the ammunition has to correspond to the class from Table 1 or 2 of EN 1522, and the velocity is measured within 2.5 m in front of the attack face with a ± 1.0 m/s device. Assessment: a bullet visibly retained in the rear of the specimen with a split rear surface is already perforation, and an opening that has closed again also counts; a witness foil other than aluminium 0.02 mm, 54 g/m2, or placed further than 0.5 m behind the specimen changes the S/NS assessment. This standard does not test glass infills (prEN 1063), and an untested door threshold means no bullet resistance at that location in the test report.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. Parts read: the iTeh sample of SIST EN 1523:2000 (EN 1523:1998) — title page, foreword, clauses 1–6.5 (up to the list of weak points in 6.5, read from page images). We do not give the rest of 6.5, the test range and further firing conditions, the assessment of results, the contents of the test report or Annexes A–E with drawings of target points — we have not read these parts. We do not give the bullet resistance classes, ammunition, bullet masses and velocities from Tables 1 and 2 of EN 1522 — we have not read EN 1522 (PKN card for PN-EN 1522:2000 in the search results, not read). We have not checked the status of prEN 1063 / PN-EN 1063:2002.

Method principle

A window, door, shutter or blind with infill, mounted on a rigid support, is fired at with ammunition of the required class from Table 1 or 2 of EN 1522 — three shots into each sensitive area selected by the laboratory (striking distance ≥ 120 mm or ≥ 3 calibres); behind the specimen stand a splinters collecting box and, at 0.5 m, a witness foil of aluminium 0.02 mm (54 g/m2); perforation of the specimen and splinters perforating the foil (S / NS) are assessed (EN 1523:1998, clauses 3–6.5).

Applications

• Windows, doors, shutters and blinds with infills — frame, infills and junctions of infills with the frame (EN 1523:1998, clause 1)
• Test for classification of bullet resistance according to PN-EN 1522 (classes and requirements are given in EN 1522)
• Does not cover the testing of glass infills (prEN 1063) or the junction of the frame with the wall; shutters and blinds are tested separately
• In accreditation scopes: 6 Polish laboratories — windows, doors, shutters, blinds; in some items also shields, armour and construction materials next to STANAG, VPAM and NIJ

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 1523:2000 (Polish version; implements EN 1523:1998 [IDT])

Title (PL)

Okna, drzwi, żaluzje i zasłony — Kuloodporność — Metody badań

Title (EN)

Windows, doors, shutters and blinds — Bullet resistance — Test method

Step-by-step procedure

1. Test specimens

   Number and types from the drawings (laboratory), size agreed with the applicant; infill ≥ 0.5 m × 0.5 m, attack face marked; storage ≥ 24 h vertical at 18 °C ± 5 °C (clause 5).

2. Installation

   Alignment without stresses from fixings, hardware and sashes operable; shutters and blinds moved as far as possible to one side; witness foil 0.5 m behind the specimen, splinters box between them (6.1).

3. Selection of areas

   Sensitive areas from an analysis of the design: least resistance, access to the opening mechanism, unwanted opening; different reinforcements and materials — each separately; door threshold at the applicant's request (6.2).

4. Firing

   3 shots into each area, target points marked before firing, distance ≥ 120 mm or ≥ 3 calibres; angle 90° to the centre of the specimen or most effective; ammunition of the required class, velocity measured ± 1.0 m/s (4.4–4.5, 6.3–6.5).

5. Assessment

   Perforation of the specimen (passing through, splitting of the rear surface, opening right through) and splinters on the witness foil: S or NS (3.2, 3.5); further assessment and test report — in parts of the standard we have not read. PN-EN 1523:2000 — current (PKN card as of 10.11.2026).

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• Firing live ammunition at specimens — test in a laboratory firing range, splinters ejected from the rear face of the specimen
• Ricochets and splinters — the splinters box and witness foil serve to assess the result, not to protect people; the part of the standard read gives no firing range safety rules — NOT GIVEN
• TECHNICAL NOTE: classes, ammunition and requirements are given in EN 1522; this standard does not test glass infills (prEN 1063)

Frequently asked questions