Relevant UK Standards for Actuators

This document is provided for general guidance only. It is not exhaustive and does not replace project-specific advice from qualified consultants, engineers, fire engineers, or building control authorities. Users must verify the latest versions of all standards, regulations, and guidance before application. 
 
Key points: 
• This guide does not cover every possible standard, regulation, or application scenario. 
• Standards and Building Regulations are updated regularly; users are responsible for ensuring they use the most current versions. 
• Neither the authors nor distributors of this document accept liability for loss, damage, or non-compliance arising from its use. 
• Designers, contractors, and buyers must confirm product suitability with manufacturers, certification bodies, and project fire strategies. 
• Only third-party tested and certified assemblies may be used in life-safety systems; substitution of components invalidates compliance. 
• Requirements may differ in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or outside the UK; local regulations must always be checked. 

Relevant UK Standards & Guidance – Actuators 

Executive Summary – Relevant UK Standards for Actuators 

This executive summary provides an overview of the key standards and regulations affecting linear actuators, chain actuators, door drives, spindle actuators, rotary actuators, electrical actuators, and hydraulic actuators in the UK. It is designed for buyers, specifiers, and project managers who need a high-level reference without the technical depth of the full guidance document. 

1. Actuator Type – Which Standards Apply? 

• Linear actuators → BS EN 12101-2 (smoke vents), BS EN 60730-2-14, BS EN 60529 (IP ratings). 

• Chain actuators → BS EN 12101-2, BS EN 60335-2-103 (powered windows/doors), BS EN 60529. 

• Door drives → BS EN 60335-2-103 (automatic doors, gates, windows). 

• Spindle actuators → BS EN 12101-2 (rooflights/smoke vents), BS EN 60529. 

• Rotary actuators → BS EN 60730-2-14 (motor-driven), BS EN 61800 series (variable speed drives). 

• Electrical actuators → BS EN 60204-1, BS EN 61000 (EMC), Machinery Directive/UK Supply of Machinery Regulations. 

• Hydraulic actuators → BS EN ISO 4413 (hydraulics), BS EN ISO 4414 (pneumatics, if relevant). 

2. Key Considerations for All Buyers 

• Fire safety → BS EN 12101 series, Approved Document B, CPR/UKCA with Declaration of Performance. 

• Electrical safety → BS EN 60204-1, BS EN 60335-2-103, BS EN 60730-2-14. 

• EMC → BS EN 61000 series. 

• Environmental durability → BS EN 60529 (IP ratings). 

• Energy performance → Ecodesign where part of ventilation/smoke systems. 

• Certification → UKCA/CE marking, CPR compliance for life safety actuators. 

3. What to Check in O&M Documentation 

• Manufacturer certification (UKCA/CE, DoP for smoke/fire actuators). 

• Fire resistance / smoke control compliance (where applicable). 

• Electrical and EMC test evidence. 

• Functional test logs (opening/closing cycles, fire alarm integration where relevant). 

• Maintenance schedule (cycle tests, lubrication, inspection intervals). 

4. At-a-Glance Compliance Flow 

1) Identify actuator type → Linear / Chain / Door / Spindle / Rotary / Electrical / Hydraulic. 

2) Apply relevant BS EN product and test standards. 

3) Check building regulations (Approved Document B, M, L as relevant). 

4) Ensure certification (UKCA/CE, CPR/DoP for smoke/fire). 

5) Record evidence in O&M → commissioning, functional testing, maintenance. 

• Approved Document L – UK Building Regulations covering energy efficiency; applies where actuators are used in ventilation/smoke systems impacting energy use. 

• Approved Document M – UK Building Regulations covering access; applies to powered door drives for accessibility compliance. 

• Approved Document B – UK Building Regulations covering fire safety; applies to smoke/fire actuators in life-safety systems. 

• Construction Products Regulation (CPR) – Requires conformity assessment and Declaration of Performance for life-safety products, such as smoke/fire actuators. 

• Machinery Directive / UK Supply of Machinery Regulations – Establish essential safety requirements for machinery, including actuators, placed on the UK/EU market. 

• BS EN ISO 4414 – Safety requirements for pneumatic fluid power systems and components, covering design, installation, and maintenance. 

• BS EN ISO 4413 – Safety requirements for hydraulic fluid power systems and components, covering design, installation, and maintenance. 

• BS EN 61800 series – Covers adjustable speed electrical drives, relevant for rotary/electrical actuators with integrated drives. 

• BS EN 60529 – Defines Ingress Protection (IP) ratings against dust and water, essential for outdoor actuators. 

• BS EN 61000 series – Electromagnetic compatibility standards, ensuring actuators do not emit or suffer from unacceptable interference. 

• BS EN 60730-2-14 – Applies to automatic electrical controls for household and similar use, including motor-operated actuators. 

• BS EN 60335-2-103 – Covers the electrical safety of automatic drives for gates, doors, and windows, including door drive actuators. 

• BS EN 60204-1 – Specifies safety requirements for the electrical equipment of machinery, including actuators and control panels. 

• BS EN 12101-3 / 12101-8 – Cover smoke control fans and smoke control dampers; relevant where actuators drive these life-safety systems. 

• BS EN 12101-2 – Defines performance, testing, and classification requirements for natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilators (AOVs) and their actuators. 

Notes on Standards (Plain-English Descriptions) 

Summary Table of Key Standards 

Detailed Standards by Actuator Type 

Linear Actuators 

• BS EN 60529 – IP ratings for protection against dust and water ingress. 

• BS EN 60730-2-14 – Defines safety for motor-operated actuators in domestic/HVAC use. 

• BS EN 60529 – IP ratings for outdoor or exposed chain actuator installations. 

• BS EN 60335-2-103 – Electrical safety for automatic window/door drives using chain actuators. 

• UK Supply of Machinery Regulations – Defines essential safety for powered doors. 

• Approved Document M – Requires powered doors to meet accessibility standards. 

• BS EN 60529 – Ensures spindle actuators are suitable for environmental IP rating needs. 

• BS EN 12101-2 – Governs testing/performance of spindle actuators used in smoke vents. 

• BS EN 61000 – EMC requirements for rotary actuators. 

• BS EN 61800 – Covers adjustable speed drives for rotary actuators. 

• UK Supply of Machinery Regulations – Essential safety requirements for actuators in UK market. 

• BS EN 60335 – General electrical safety for appliances, sometimes applicable. 

• BS EN ISO 4414 – Safety principles for pneumatic actuators using compressed air. 

• BS EN ISO 4413 – General safety rules for hydraulic systems and components. 

• BS EN 61000 – EMC standards to ensure safe operation of actuators. 

• BS EN 60204-1 – Safety requirements for electrical machinery equipment. 

• BS EN 60730-2-14 – Safety requirements for motor-driven actuators. 

• BS EN 60335-2-103 – Safety for electrically operated doors, gates, and windows. 

• BS EN 12101-2 – Ensures chain actuators for smoke vents meet fire-safety performance. 

• BS EN 12101-2 – Sets performance and test requirements for smoke and heat exhaust ventilators, including linear actuator-driven AOVs. 

• Common in windows, rooflights, vents, machinery. 
• BS EN 12101-2 (smoke control use). 
• BS EN 60730-2-14 (electrical safety). 
• BS EN 60529 (IP rating). 

Chain Actuators 

• Used for smoke vents, windows, skylights. 
• BS EN 12101-2 (smoke control). 
• BS EN 60335-2-103 (automatic doors/windows). 
• IP rating per BS EN 60529. 

Door Drives 

• Automatic swing/sliding doors, powered gates. 
• BS EN 60335-2-103 (product safety). 
• Approved Document M (accessibility). 
• Machinery Directive/UK Supply of Machinery Regulations. 

Spindle Actuators 

• Used for AOVs, rooflights, industrial applications. 
• BS EN 12101-2 (smoke vents). 
• IP rating per BS EN 60529. 

Rotary Actuators 

• HVAC and machinery uses. 
• BS EN 60730-2-14 (motor-driven actuators). 
• BS EN 61800 (variable speed drives). 
• BS EN 61000 (EMC). 

Electrical Actuators (General) 

• Used across HVAC, machinery, and smoke/fire applications. 
• BS EN 60204-1 (electrical safety). 
• BS EN 61000 series (EMC). 
• BS EN 60335 (appliance safety where relevant). 
• Machinery Directive / UK Supply of Machinery Regulations. 

Hydraulic Actuators 

• Common in industrial, heavy machinery, and some smoke/fire systems. 
• BS EN ISO 4413 (hydraulic safety). 
• BS EN ISO 4414 (pneumatics, if used). 
• Requires regular inspection for leaks, pressure safety, and maintenance. 

What Evidence Should Be Recorded in O&M 

• Certification: UKCA/CE marking, CPR DoP for smoke/fire actuators. 
• Electrical test data, EMC compliance evidence. 
• Functional cycle testing records (opening/closing). 
• Fire alarm integration checks (where relevant). 
• Maintenance schedules (lubrication, inspection, replacement intervals). 
• Calibration/test equipment certificates. 

Building Regulations & Certification 

• Approved Document B – Fire safety: smoke/fire actuators must comply with BS EN 12101 and CPR requirements. 

• Approved Document M – Accessibility: powered door drives must provide safe and accessible operation. 

• Approved Document L – Conservation of fuel and power: actuators should not compromise efficiency of ventilation systems. 

• Machinery Directive / UK Supply of Machinery Regulations: applies to all actuators placed on the market in the UK. 

• CPR/UKCA: life safety actuators require Declaration of Performance and third-party certification. 

Limitations of Use – Actuators in Smoke Control (NSHEV/AOV) Systems 

• Actuator and vent must be a **tested and certified assembly** to BS EN 12101-2 (NSHEV). Substituting a different actuator, stroke, bracketry or controls **invalidates the Declaration of Performance (DoP)** and UKCA/CE for the AOV. 

• The assembly shall achieve **full fire-open position within 60 s** and **maintain opening at elevated temperature** according to its classification (e.g., **B300** – 300°C for 30 min), and meet **reliability (Re)**, **wind load (WL)**, **snow load (SL)** and **low temperature (T)** classes declared on the DoP. 

• Actuators used for general powered windows/doors to BS EN 60335-2-103 are **not automatically compliant** for smoke control; only actuators **tested as part of an EN 12101-2 NSHEV** may be used for AOV duty. 

• Control equipment must be certified to **EN 12101-9 (control panels)** and **EN 12101-10 (power supplies)** with adequate standby capacity (commonly sized for **72 h standby** then multiple operations). 

• Electrical supply and control cabling for life-safety functions should be **fire-resisting** and routed/protected in accordance with **BS 8519** and the project’s fire strategy. 

• The **environmental class** limits use: do not install where site conditions (wind, snow, temperature) exceed the **WL/SL/T** ratings; ensure the **IP rating** to **BS EN 60529** suits the location. 

• Do not fit grilles, insect/bird guards, or rain louvres that reduce the declared **aerodynamic free area (Aa)** unless the **system has been re-evaluated**; Aa is declared per EN 12101-2 and used for design. 

• Where NSHEVs are dual-use (daily ventilation), ensure the product’s **ventilation duty cycle** (e.g., 10,000 cycles) and **smoke cycle reliability (e.g., Re 1000)** are not exceeded; schedule maintenance accordingly. 

• Actuators shall operate under **mains and battery power**; performance on battery must still meet opening time and travel requirements. 

Method of Testing an Approved AOV Vent (with Integrated Actuator) 

**Purpose:** Verify on site that an AOV (NSHEV) incorporating an actuator performs in accordance with its certification and the project design. 

A. Pre‑test Documentation & Visual Checks 

• Obtain and review the **Declaration of Performance (DoP)** and classification string for the specific AOV (e.g., B300, Re1000, WL, SL, T, and declared **Aa**). Confirm the **exact actuator model** matches the DoP/test report. 

• Verify the **control panel** is certified to EN 12101-9 and the **power supply** to EN 12101-10 with battery sizing documentation (standby duration and number of operations). 

• Confirm **wiring and cable types** for life-safety circuits follow BS 8519 (and the fire strategy). 

• Check installation: correct **orientation**, **fixings/brackets**, **unobstructed travel**, seal integrity, and no additions that reduce Aa (e.g., grilles). 

• Confirm **IP rating** suitability and environmental exposure limits per product data. 

B. Functional Performance Tests 

• From the **closed** position, initiate the **fire signal** (via local manual call point or fire alarm interface) and time the opening to the certified fire position. **Record opening time**; EN 12101-2 requires opening to the fire position **within 60 s**. 

• Measure/confirm the **achieved opening** (angle or stroke) matches the certified fire-open position for which **Aa** was declared (visual verification and manufacturer scale/indicator). 

• Verify **feedback/monitoring**: return signals, fault indication, end‑of‑line monitoring, and panel status LEDs/messages. 

• Repeat commands for **multiple operations** (e.g., open–close–open) to demonstrate actuator and panel capacity; verify the panel indicates healthy status after each cycle. 

C. Power‑Failure / Battery‑Backed Operation 

• Isolate mains supply to the control panel and repeat a **full emergency opening command** on **battery**. Record opening time and confirm it remains within the certified limit. 

• Confirm the battery system is sized to the design standby (often **up to 72 h**) **and** the required number of post‑standby operations (typically **three 60 s operations** – open, close, open). Review manufacturer sizing sheet if a full standby soak test is not practicable. 

D. Cause‑and‑Effect & Interlocks 

• Prove the **cause‑and‑effect matrix**: correct vent(s) open on the fire floor, make‑up air inlets open as designed, and non‑fire floors remain closed (or operate per strategy). 

• Verify **fail‑safe behaviour** (e.g., re‑close after alarm reset if specified; local vent override/priority controls work as intended). 

E. Records & Handover 

• Record: device IDs, locations, opening times, power source used, achieved position/angle, alarms/faults observed, and test equipment details. 

• File the DoP, panel certificates (EN 12101‑9/‑10), battery sizing evidence, as‑fitted schematics, and maintenance plan (inspection/test frequencies in line with **BS 7346‑8** and manufacturer guidance). 

Master Quick Reference Table – Actuator Standards