Test Centre for Building Components

The TÜV NORD Group's expertise in testing, monitoring and certification of building components is covered by the PfB - Prüfzentrum für Bauelemente (Test Centre for Building Components). This recognised competence centre for testing building components such as doors, gates, windows, façades, grilles, roller shutters and fittings pools the specialist knowledge of experts with decades of experience.

Tests in the areas of security / burglar resistance, climate / weathering, building acoustics / sound insulation, energy and serviceability are carried out in specially designed test halls or at the manufacturer's premises. Thanks to the capacities created, test dates can be allocated promptly. You will be accompanied by a test engineer as your contact person from the test preparation to the finalisation of the test documents. They will also be happy to take on the challenge of developing customised test rigs and test procedures with you. In addition to testing, the PfB - Prüfzentrum für Bauelemente also offers certification and monitoring of building components.

Overall, testing with an accredited body offers manufacturers a number of benefits that can help improve the quality of their products, ensure regulatory compliance and increase customer confidence.

• Quality assurance: Testing by an accredited body ensures that the components meet certain quality standards. This helps to ensure that the products meet customer requirements and deliver the required performance.
• Compliance with regulations and standards: In many industries, there are legal regulations and standards that must be met. By being tested by an accredited body, manufacturers can ensure that their products meet these requirements and comply with legal regulations.
• Credibility and trust: Certification by an accredited test body can strengthen customer confidence in the quality and reliability of products. It signals that the components have been independently tested and confirmed, which increases the credibility of the manufacturer.
• Market access: In some cases, authorisation or certification by an accredited body is a prerequisite for entering certain markets or working with certain customers or industries. Testing can therefore expand the manufacturer's market access.
• Risk minimisation: By testing components before they are used, potential problems or defects can be identified and rectified at an early stage. This reduces the risk of product faults, recalls or liability claims.

The German Accreditation Body DAkkS ensures that the quality standards of TÜV NORD Group's test centres are met. This allows them to carry out assessments and verifications of constancy of performance within the framework of the EU regulations on harmonised conditions for the marketing of building products (Bauproduktenverordnung  -Building Products Regulation).

As an accredited and notified testing, inspection and certification body, recognised test reports and test certificates as well as expert’s reports can be issued. TÜV NORD's testing laboratories fulfil the requirements of DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 to carry out conformity assessment activities required for CE marking. The CE mark shows the conformity (compliance) of the product with the relevant European directives and thus enables the product to be traded throughout Europe. For example, all windows and external doors without properties relating to fire protection and/or smoke tightness must be CE labelled to declare the mandated properties of the product standard DIN EN 14351-1 if they are placed on the market in the EU. In addition to testing based on DIN and EN standards, it can also be tested according to NAFS, CSA, CWCT and AAMA standards for the international market.

The PfB - Prüfzentrum für Bauelemente (Test Centre for Building Components) is a DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065 accredited certification body in the field of product certification and a recognised monitoring and certification body in accordance with the Landesbauordnung (state building regulations) for construction products/construction types of the DIBt Berlin. A distinction is made between CE and Ü labelling:

• Certification of burglar-resistant building components and retrofit products, locks and building hardware as well as windows and doors in the voluntary area
• Certification of locks and building hardware as well as windows, doors and gates in the area of the EU CPR (EU Construction Products Regulation)

The impartial and independent certification body contributes to ensure that construction products comply with European and national requirements and can be used safely. Manufacturers of construction products/construction types receive surveillance and certification services from competent and committed TÜV NORD Group employees. As part of the existing certification system, they develop and maintain various product certification programmes that create confidence in the fulfilment of defined requirements for the construction product.