Air | Water | Wind

Resistance of doors to wind loads.

The resistance of doors to wind loads is a crucial factor in ensuring the safety and stability of buildings.

This is especially true in regions with strong gusts of wind or in exposed locations. To ensure that doors can withstand the forces of the wind, they must be tested and certified according to European standards such as EN 12211 and EN 12210.

This ensures that the doors can withstand both wind pressure and wind suction.

Standards and test procedures

According to the standards EN 12210 and EN 12211, doors are tested for their resistance to wind. In these tests, the door is repeatedly subjected to increasing pressure in both directions to simulate the effect of strong winds.

It is important that the door remains stable and that no parts such as panes, door closers or handles are torn from their anchorage.

Classification of wind load resistance

The resistance of doors to wind loads is divided into different classes according to the DIN EN 12210 standard, depending on the requirements of the building and the location. The classification ranges from class 1 to class 5, with higher classes representing higher wind loads.

The specific requirements are:

  • Class 1: wind pressure of 400 Pa, test pressure of 600 Pa
  • Class 2: wind pressure of 800 Pa, test pressure of 1200 Pa
  • Class 3: wind pressure of 1200 Pa, test pressure of 1800 Pa
  • Class 4: wind pressure of 1600 Pa, test pressure of 2400 Pa
  • Class 5: wind pressure of 2000 Pa, test pressure of 3000 Pa

There are also special classifications (Exxxx) for doors that must withstand even higher loads than the regular classes.

Deformation criteria

Another important aspect in the assessment of wind load resistance is the deformation criteria. These determine how much a door can deform under wind load without its function being impaired.

The deformation is measured in terms of the relative frontal deflection and divided into classes:

  • Class A: Deformation less than l/150 (maximum permissible deformation)
  • Class B: deformation less than l/200
  • Class C: Deformation less than l/300 (minimum permissible deformation)

Water | driving rain tightness

Rainproof doors offer optimal protection for buildings exposed to severe weather conditions by preventing water from entering the interior due to wind pressure. These doors are made of durable materials and are designed to withstand heavy rainfall and wind loads.

The driving rain tightness is tested according to the European standard EN 12208, in which the building element is exposed to both rain and pressure under controlled conditions. Doors are divided into classes that determine their resistance to water and wind. The test process simulates different wind strengths and rain conditions to ensure that the building element is reliably protected against water ingress. At Hodapp, a special focus is placed on robust seals and a well-thought-out design to ensure the highest level of tightness.

Rainproof doors are particularly essential in the construction industry, as exposure to wind and rain poses a challenge in many climates. High-quality doors that meet the test requirements of EN 12208 contribute to long-term building safety, prevent moisture damage and at the same time increase energy efficiency.

Airtightness

Airtight doors are critical to the efficiency of buildings and specific applications where air exchange must be minimized. They prevent unwanted airflow between rooms, which not only optimizes energy efficiency but also helps prevent air pollution and dust in controlled environments such as the chemical and nuclear industries. These doors are particularly valuable for maintaining the cleanliness of rooms, for example in the production of pharmaceuticals or in research facilities. They also help ensure proper air circulation in complex HVAC systems.

Airtight doors are particularly relevant for special applications such as laboratories, clean rooms or industrial buildings where overpressure is required. By minimizing air permeability, the penetration of pollutants and dangerous particles is also prevented.

Airtightness testing according to EN 12207 is an essential part of accurately measuring door performance. It ensures that doors perform optimally when subjected to the stresses of demanding environments, whether it is energy use, maintaining pressure conditions or preventing harmful substances.

Individual consulting

Every construction project has its own characteristics and the right solution depends on numerous aspects.

Please feel free to contact us so that we can analyze your specific requirements together and develop the optimal security solution.

Our contact details →

Hodapp Newsletter

Every quarter we inform you in our tech news about topics from the areas of doors and gates, special constructions and metalworking.

This free service regularly informs you about the following points:

  • Data and facts on selected product groups
  • New products and innovations
  • Trade fair appearances and personal contact opportunities
  • Events and appointment information
  • Reference projects in the context of object reports
  • Social media presence of the company
  • Case Studies