Written by Callum Thornton, Hinge Technology - Product Manager at SFS Group Fastening Technology Ltd.
What are the eight digits in BS EN 1935:2002 classifications for single axis hinges?
BS EN 1935:2002 Building Hardware. Single Axis hinges. Requirements and test methods uses an eight-digit classification system to describe a hinge's performance, based on the results of product testing. Other building hardware covered by European standards is classified in a similar way, allowing specifiers to select complementary building hardware product standards, to suit a project's needs.
Understanding BS EN 1935 Single-Axis Grades
Technical data sheets for all SFS hinges show the hinge classification, and this blog post can be used as a guide to better understand what each of the eight digits means.
For a broader overview of hinge standard's performance requirements, including Part Q of the Building Regulations and Secured by Design, you can read our separate blog post on Testing and Accreditations.
Classification Digit 1 - Category of Duty
Annex A of BS EN 1935 identifies four typical applications of hinge grades. The first digit corresponds to one of the four categories/grades given.
- Category/grade 1: light duty
- Category/grade 2: medium duty
- Category/grade 3: heavy duty
- Category/grade 4: severe duty
All four grades apply to doors; only grade 1 applies to windows. The standard's definition of each duty relates to how carefully a door is likely to be used, and whether there is a likelihood of accidents or misuse. 'Severe' duty, for example, is defined as where a door is likely to be subjected to frequent violent use.
Classification Digit 2 - Durability
Three grades are defined for durability, and the second digit of the classification corresponds to the relevant tested grade. Grade 3 and 4 apply to hinges intended for use with windows only, while grades 4 and 7 apply to hinges intended for doors.
The grade refers to the number of test cycles up to which the hinge is tested, as follows:
- Grade 3: 10,000 cycles
- Grade 4: 25,000 cycles
- Grade 7: 200,000 cycles
Classification Digit 3 - Test Door Mass
The third digit refers to the mass of the door with a single axis hinge on which the hinge is tested. There are eight different grades, from 0 to 7, as follows:
- Grade 0: 10kg
- Grade 1: 20kg
- Grade 2: 40kg
- Grade 3: 60kg
- Grade 4: 80kg
- Grade 5: 100kg
- Grade 6: 120kg
- Grade 7: 160kg
Classification Digit 4 - Suitability for use on Fire/Smoke Doors
Fire and smoke compartmentation doors must match the fire resistance of walls separating different areas of a building. Preventing the spread of fire to adjacent compartments requires hardware that contributes to the performance of the doorset as a whole.
The fourth digit of the classification indicates either grade 0 or grade 1, depending on whether the hinge is suitable for use on the fire doors/smoke doors.
- Grade 0: not suitable
- Grade 1: suitable, subject to satisfactory assessment of the hinges' contribution to the fire resistance of the assembled doorset. Details of such an assessment can be found in BS EN 1634-1.
Classification Digit 5 - Safety
Only a single grade is given for this area of performance. A hinge must demonstrate the essential requirements for being safe in use, and therefore meets grade 1. The fifth digit is therefore a 1.
Classification Digit 6 - Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion resistance is defined in BS EN 1670, and the sixth digit of a hinge classification corresponds to one of those five grades, as follows:
- Grade 0: no defined corrosion resistance
- Grade 1: mild resistance
- Grade 2: moderate resistance
- Grade 3: high resistance
- Grade 4: very high resistance
Classification Digit 7 - Security
For this 'burglar resistant' component, two grades of security are identified and the seventh digit classified accordingly.
- Grade 0: not suitable for burglar resistant door assemblies
- Grade 1: suitable for burglar - resistant assemblies, subject to satisfactory assessment of the contribution made
Annex C of the standard gives the additional requirements for hinges manufactured to grade 1. As per guidance from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, hinges should conform to the requirements of severe duty hinges (see classification digit 1), and be rated as grade 12, 13, or 14 (see classification digit 8).
Where hinges are likely to be subject to potential persistent violent attack, grade 12 and 14 should be used because their greater load bearing capacity means they have thicker flaps and pins.
Classification Digit 8 - Hinge Grade
BE EN 1935 identifies fourteen different grades of hinge. Confusingly, this can mean the eighth 'digit' of a hinge's classification is actually a double-digit number. The fourteen grades are as follows:
- Grade 1: window/10,000 cycles/10kg
- Grade 2: window/10,000 cycles/20kg
- Grade 3: window-door/25,000 cycles/20kg
- Grade 4: door/200,000 cycles/20kg
- Grade 5: window/10,000 cycles/40kg
- Grade 6: window-door/25,000 cycles/40kg
- Grade 7: door/200,000 cycles/40kg
- Grade 8: window/10,000 cycles/60kg
- Grade 9: window-door/10,000 cycles/60kg
- Grade 10: door/200,000 cycles/60kg
- Grade 11: door/200,000 cycles/80kg
- Grade 12: door/200,000 cycles/100kg
- Grade 13: door/200,000 cycles/120kg
- Grade 14: door/200,000 cycles/160kg
About SFS Dynamic Hinges
The performance of windows and doorsets hangs, quite literally, on the hinges. Any movement over time has a knock-on-effect on the rest of the window or doorset, so SFS Dynamic hinges feature the best possible design and engineering to deliver a true 'fit and forget' product.
Developed specifically for the UK market, the Dynamic 2D hinge range takes into account security, adjustability, long service life and reliability without compromising on aesthetics.
Installers use SFS hinges with confidence, knowing they won't be called back to a project, and homeowners get long-lasting, high-quality performance thanks to the flawless operation.
Visit SFS Hinge Technology for more information and/or download brochures and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions...
What is BS EN 1935 and what does it cover?
BS EN 1935 is a European harmonised standard that defines performance requirements and test methods for single-axis hinges used on doors and windows, ensuring consistency in durability, load capacity and safety across hinge products.
How do you read a BS EN 1935 hinge classification code?
A BS EN 1935 hinge classification uses an 8-digit code where each digit represents a performance category such as duty level, durability (test cycles), test door mass, fire and smoke suitability, corrosion resistance, security and overall hinge grade.
What do the duty grades in BS EN 1935 mean?
Duty grades in BS EN 1935 indicate how heavily a hinge can be used — from Grade 1 for light use to Grade 4 for severe or high-impact applications — helping specifiers select appropriate hinges based on expected traffic levels.
What durability testing does BS EN 1935 require?
BS EN 1935 requires hinges to undergo durability testing through repeated opening and closing cycles. Durability grades include 10,000 cycles, 25,000 cycles and 200,000 cycles depending on the expected duty level of the application.
Can BS EN 1935 hinges be used on fire or smoke doors?
Yes. BS EN 1935 includes a specific classification digit for fire and smoke door suitability. A grade of “1” indicates the hinge is suitable, provided its contribution to fire resistance has been assessed in accordance with relevant fire test standards.
What does the corrosion resistance grade in BS EN 1935 indicate?
The corrosion resistance grade in BS EN 1935 reflects how well a hinge withstands rust and environmental exposure. Grades range from no defined resistance up to very high resistance levels, based on corrosion testing referenced in EN 1670.
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Written by Callum Thornton, Hinge Technology - Product Manager at SFS Group Fastening Technology Ltd.
What are the eight digits in BS EN 1935:2002 classifications for single axis hinges?
BS EN 1935:2002 Building Hardware. Single Axis hinges. Requirements and test methods uses an eight-digit classification system to describe a hinge's performance, based on the results of product testing. Other building hardware covered by European standards is classified in a similar way, allowing specifiers to select complementary building hardware product standards, to suit a project's needs.
Understanding BS EN 1935 Single-Axis Grades
Technical data sheets for all SFS hinges show the hinge classification, and this blog post can be used as a guide to better understand what each of the eight digits means.
For a broader overview of hinge standard's performance requirements, including Part Q of the Building Regulations and Secured by Design, you can read our separate blog post on Testing and Accreditations.
Classification Digit 1 - Category of Duty
Annex A of BS EN 1935 identifies four typical applications of hinge grades. The first digit corresponds to one of the four categories/grades given.
- Category/grade 1: light duty
- Category/grade 2: medium duty
- Category/grade 3: heavy duty
- Category/grade 4: severe duty
All four grades apply to doors; only grade 1 applies to windows. The standard's definition of each duty relates to how carefully a door is likely to be used, and whether there is a likelihood of accidents or misuse. 'Severe' duty, for example, is defined as where a door is likely to be subjected to frequent violent use.
Classification Digit 2 - Durability
Three grades are defined for durability, and the second digit of the classification corresponds to the relevant tested grade. Grade 3 and 4 apply to hinges intended for use with windows only, while grades 4 and 7 apply to hinges intended for doors.
The grade refers to the number of test cycles up to which the hinge is tested, as follows:
- Grade 3: 10,000 cycles
- Grade 4: 25,000 cycles
- Grade 7: 200,000 cycles
Classification Digit 3 - Test Door Mass
The third digit refers to the mass of the door with a single axis hinge on which the hinge is tested. There are eight different grades, from 0 to 7, as follows:
- Grade 0: 10kg
- Grade 1: 20kg
- Grade 2: 40kg
- Grade 3: 60kg
- Grade 4: 80kg
- Grade 5: 100kg
- Grade 6: 120kg
- Grade 7: 160kg
Classification Digit 4 - Suitability for use on Fire/Smoke Doors
Fire and smoke compartmentation doors must match the fire resistance of walls separating different areas of a building. Preventing the spread of fire to adjacent compartments requires hardware that contributes to the performance of the doorset as a whole.
The fourth digit of the classification indicates either grade 0 or grade 1, depending on whether the hinge is suitable for use on the fire doors/smoke doors.
- Grade 0: not suitable
- Grade 1: suitable, subject to satisfactory assessment of the hinges' contribution to the fire resistance of the assembled doorset. Details of such an assessment can be found in BS EN 1634-1.
Classification Digit 5 - Safety
Only a single grade is given for this area of performance. A hinge must demonstrate the essential requirements for being safe in use, and therefore meets grade 1. The fifth digit is therefore a 1.
Classification Digit 6 - Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion resistance is defined in BS EN 1670, and the sixth digit of a hinge classification corresponds to one of those five grades, as follows:
- Grade 0: no defined corrosion resistance
- Grade 1: mild resistance
- Grade 2: moderate resistance
- Grade 3: high resistance
- Grade 4: very high resistance
Classification Digit 7 - Security
For this 'burglar resistant' component, two grades of security are identified and the seventh digit classified accordingly.
- Grade 0: not suitable for burglar resistant door assemblies
- Grade 1: suitable for burglar - resistant assemblies, subject to satisfactory assessment of the contribution made
Annex C of the standard gives the additional requirements for hinges manufactured to grade 1. As per guidance from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, hinges should conform to the requirements of severe duty hinges (see classification digit 1), and be rated as grade 12, 13, or 14 (see classification digit 8).
Where hinges are likely to be subject to potential persistent violent attack, grade 12 and 14 should be used because their greater load bearing capacity means they have thicker flaps and pins.
Classification Digit 8 - Hinge Grade
BE EN 1935 identifies fourteen different grades of hinge. Confusingly, this can mean the eighth 'digit' of a hinge's classification is actually a double-digit number. The fourteen grades are as follows:
- Grade 1: window/10,000 cycles/10kg
- Grade 2: window/10,000 cycles/20kg
- Grade 3: window-door/25,000 cycles/20kg
- Grade 4: door/200,000 cycles/20kg
- Grade 5: window/10,000 cycles/40kg
- Grade 6: window-door/25,000 cycles/40kg
- Grade 7: door/200,000 cycles/40kg
- Grade 8: window/10,000 cycles/60kg
- Grade 9: window-door/10,000 cycles/60kg
- Grade 10: door/200,000 cycles/60kg
- Grade 11: door/200,000 cycles/80kg
- Grade 12: door/200,000 cycles/100kg
- Grade 13: door/200,000 cycles/120kg
- Grade 14: door/200,000 cycles/160kg
About SFS Dynamic Hinges
The performance of windows and doorsets hangs, quite literally, on the hinges. Any movement over time has a knock-on-effect on the rest of the window or doorset, so SFS Dynamic hinges feature the best possible design and engineering to deliver a true 'fit and forget' product.
Developed specifically for the UK market, the Dynamic 2D hinge range takes into account security, adjustability, long service life and reliability without compromising on aesthetics.
Installers use SFS hinges with confidence, knowing they won't be called back to a project, and homeowners get long-lasting, high-quality performance thanks to the flawless operation.
Visit SFS Hinge Technology for more information and/or download brochures and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions...
BS EN 1935 is a European harmonised standard that defines performance requirements and test methods for single-axis hinges used on doors and windows, ensuring consistency in durability, load capacity and safety across hinge products.
A BS EN 1935 hinge classification uses an 8-digit code where each digit represents a performance category such as duty level, durability (test cycles), test door mass, fire and smoke suitability, corrosion resistance, security and overall hinge grade.
Duty grades in BS EN 1935 indicate how heavily a hinge can be used — from Grade 1 for light use to Grade 4 for severe or high-impact applications — helping specifiers select appropriate hinges based on expected traffic levels.
BS EN 1935 requires hinges to undergo durability testing through repeated opening and closing cycles. Durability grades include 10,000 cycles, 25,000 cycles and 200,000 cycles depending on the expected duty level of the application.
Yes. BS EN 1935 includes a specific classification digit for fire and smoke door suitability. A grade of “1” indicates the hinge is suitable, provided its contribution to fire resistance has been assessed in accordance with relevant fire test standards.
The corrosion resistance grade in BS EN 1935 reflects how well a hinge withstands rust and environmental exposure. Grades range from no defined resistance up to very high resistance levels, based on corrosion testing referenced in EN 1670.
