E TA

TECHNICAL REPORT

Determination of impact
resistance of panels
and panel assemblies

TR 001
Edition February 2003

E U R O P E A N O R G A N I S AT I O N F O R T E C H N I C A L A P P R O VA L S
 TR 001 page 1
1 Introduction
Determination of impact resistance
of panels and panel assemblies This Technical Report has been developed in the
knowledge that ISO/DIS 7893 may be withdrawn and
that recent Working Group discussions have lead to
improvements to or clarifications of the test procedure,
Edition February 2003
which are considered necessary in the framework of
the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC).
Although the Technical Report has been developed
specifically for the assessment of (composite) panel
products and assemblies the test method can also be
useful for other products.
Panels, with or out of glass, are not covered by this
Technical Report.
In the framework of this Technical Report, panels are
considered to be factory-made rigid products of
rectangular shape and cross section, in which the
thickness is uniform and substantially smaller than the
other dimensions. They may be composed of layers of
Foreword different materials (e.g. one or two faces and a core
material), may contain reinforcement (e.g. ribs, studs)
EOTA Technical Reports are developed as supporting and may include finishings (e.g. paints, coatings).
reference documents to European Technical Approval
Guidelines and can also be applicable to a Common Building elements, depending on their location and use,
Understanding of Assessment Procedures, an EOTA are subjected to impact.
Comprehension Document or an European Technical Impacts have varying characteristics and they occur
Approval, as far as reference is made therein. with varying frequency. They may have an effect on the
EOTA Technical Reports go into detail in some aspects elements as a whole or may only have a local effect at
and express the common understanding of existing the place of impact, or both.
knowledge and experience of the EOTA bodies at a The Technical Report distinguishes between "Safety in
particular point in time. use" and "Serviceability" assessment.
Where knowledge and experience is developing, In Annex A to this Technical Report, recommendations
especially through approval work, such reports can be have been given on the impact load and the number of
amended and supplemented. impacts per test.
When this happens, the effect of the changes upon the In the framework of the Construction Products
European Technical Approval Guidelines will be laid Directive, "Safety in use" is referred to as Essential
down in the relevant comprehension documents, Requirement 4 (ER4) and is specified in Interpretative
unless the European Technical Approval Guideline is Document No 4. Under ER4, impact concerns:
revised.
• impacts/collisions, etc. between users and those
This EOTA Technical Report has been prepared by the elements or parts of the work, which are normally
EOTA Working Groups 02.05/01 – “Cold storage room subject to contact or manipulation (e.g. doors,
kits” and 04.01/04 – "Self-supporting light weight windows, automatic garage doors, etc.);
composite panels" and endorsed by EOTA.
• impacts/collisions, etc. between users and parts of
the work as a result of accidents (e.g. such as
falling through a brittle element) or particular
circumstances (e.g. failure of lighting);
• impacts of falling objects, forming part of the work,
upon users.
 TR 001 page 2
Apart from the safety aspect, impact should also be
looked at from a "serviceability" point of view, i.e. the
possible effects of impacts on the serviceability of the
element (e.g. watertightness, water-vapour or gas
tightness, ...).
No existing EOTA Technical Report is superseded by
this Technical Report.

1 Scope
The TR specifies test methods for impact resistance of
panel and panel assemblies and recommendations for
their use.
The requirements should be incorporated in the
appropriate ETA Guideline.

2 Test method for determining soft body

impact resistance Theoretical size of the bag

2.1 Principle Ø (80 ± 8) mm

The soft body impact test simulates an impact resulting
from a person accidentally falling against the panel.
Suspension ring
(or rings)
The soft body is dropped from a height, creating an
impact energy, which corresponds with the impact
energy released by a person.
The test is conducted with reference to safety in use,
leather bag
Ø (600 ± 60) mm

i.e. verification whether the panel or panel assemblies

would prevent a person falling through, and to or textile
serviceability, i.e. verification whether they would still
perform as intended.
8 canvas
sections
2.2 Test apparatus
The soft body impactor should be a spherical canvas
leather
bag of diameter 400 mm (± 40) (see Figure 1) filled bottom
with 3.0 mm (± 0.3) diameter glass spheres to give a
total weight of 50 kg (± 0.5).

Ø (120 ± 12) mm

Ø (400 ± 40) mm
50 kg spheroconical bag

Figure 1 – Soft body impactor

 TR 001 page 3
2.3 Number of tests The manufacturer has the possibility to test additional
assemblies, if he claims better performance.
2.3.1 Serviceability impact resistance
In principle, the most onerous assembly shall be:
The test shall be carried out on one test assembly, and
generally consists of at least three impacts with the • panel: the panel with the highest ratio length (or
same energy at about the same point of impact. The height) over width in its minimum thickness;
point of impact should be the one deemed most
• span: maximum distance between supports.
onerous for the assembly under examination.
If various impact energies are being tested, new
assemblies should be tested for each impact energy. 2.4 Test procedure
In this test, the soft body impactor, with mass (m) is
dropped from a height (h), so that the total impact
2.3.2 Safety in use impact resistance
energy (E = g x h x m) corresponds with one of the
The test shall be carried out on one test assembly, and following energies E in Nm: 60, 100, 120, 130, 200,
consists of one impact. 240, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 900 and 1200.
The point of impact should be the one deemed most Note - In most cases g = 9,81 m/s
onerous for the assembly under examination. The height (h) is measured between the designated
If various impact energies are being tested, new point of impact and the height of release of the soft
assemblies should be tested for each level of impact body impactor.
energy. For tests conducted on wall assemblies the angle α
Note - The serviceability and safety in use impact test should not be shall always be smaller or equal to 65° (see Figure 2).
carried out on the same assembly, unless the ETA-applicant of the
test so wishes. The bag is held vertically when released (not
horizontally).

2.2 Conditioning and test conditions

The panel conditioning shall be recorded, where
required.
α
The conditioning period, if any, shall be agreed
between the ETA-applicant and the Approval Body.
L
The test shall be carried out in normal laboratory
circumstances.

2.3 Test assembly

The panels shall be mounted in accordance with the
manufacturer's installation specifications, with regard to H
the intended use (floor, wall or ceiling panel), so that the
test assembly corresponds as much as possible with end
use conditions.
The manner in which components are fixed to each
other shall reproduce actual conditions of use,
particularly with respect to the nature, type and position
of the fixings and the distance between them.
If the manufacturer's specifications foresee more than
one possible end-use assembly, the Approval Body
should at least perform the test on the most onerous Figure 2 – Impact on vertical assembly
one. h = drop height; L = lenght rope; a = 65°
 TR 001 page 4
For ceiling and floor assemblies, the test is performed For serviceability, the residual deflection after each
on a horizontal assembly (see Figure 3). impact shall be reported.
The residual deflection shall be reported five minutes
after the impact (in mm).
In a favourable test result, the report shall indicate any
damage (e.g. localized surface cavities of small
dimensions, scratches, wear marks in the form of
grooves, etc.).
For extended application of the test results, the general
rule is that test results for the most onerous assembly
can be used to reflect the behaviour of others.
Note - A list of products that are "deemed-to-satisfy without the need
for testing" should be established in an accompanying
comprehension document to the ETA Guideline.
Figure 3 – Vertical impact on horizontal assembly
h = drop height

2.6 Test report

2.5 Expression of test results The test report shall include:
The test result is pass/fail, depending on whether the • reference to clause 2 of this Technical Report;
panel assemblies meet the following combined criteria:
• the name of the testing laboratory;
For safety in use:
• the name of the ETA applicant (and manufacturer
• no collapse: the test result is favourable when, after of the panel);
the test, the panel or assembly maintains its
mechanical integrity and is still capable of carrying • date of the test;
its own weight in the tested position; • description of the test instruments;
• no penetration: the test result is favourable when, • identification of the product tested (designation,
after the test, the impactor has not passed through dimensions and any relevant identification
the test specimen; characteristic);
• no projection: the test result is favourable when, • surface structure (e.g. smooth, profiled, structured,
after the test, the impactor has not created parts of ..);
the panel (e.g. core, face, reinforcement) to project
from the face of the panel, on the other side of the • description of the sample tested, and reference to
specimen than the impact side, creating sharp its marking;
cutting edges or surfaces likely to cause personal • description of conditioning and preparation of the
injury by contact. sample (if any);
For serviceability: • description of test conditions (temperature and
• no penetration: the test result is favourable when, RH), where required;
after the test, the impactor has not penetrated the • results of the test, including a description of
face of the test specimen on the impact side of the damage (if any).
specimen.
• no degradation: the test result is favourable when,
after the test, there are no visible (to the naked
eye) cracks, depressions, protuberances or any
other defects in the materials, which may influence
the fitness for use of the panel or assembly.
Deformations, which only affect the appearance,
are allowed, but should be mentioned in the test
report.
 TR 001 page 5
3 Test methods for determining hard body 3.4 Conditioning and test conditions
impact resistance
The panel conditioning shall be recorded, where
3.1 Principle required. The conditioning period, if any, shall be
agreed between the ETA applicant and the Approval
The hard body impact test simulates the impact,
Body.
resulting from an object accidentally falling against the
panel. The test shall be carried out in normal laboratory
circumstances.
The hard body is dropped from a height, creating an
impact energy, which corresponds with the impact
energy released when furniture or similar objects with
3.5 Test assembly
the panel.
The panel shall be horizontally positioned on supports
The test is conducted with reference to safety in use,
(see Figure 4), to allow, in case of an unfavourable test
i.e. verification whether the panel or panel assemblies
result, the possibility of the impactor going completely
would prevent an object falling through, and to
through the panel.
serviceability, i.e. verification whether they would still
perform as intended (e.g. with reference to water The most onerous point of impact should be chosen.
vapour tightness).
In most cases this will be the centre of the panel, but, for
panels with reinforcement (studs, stiffening ribs, etc.)
behind a relatively weak face, the most onerous impact
3.2 Test apparatus
position is 25 mm (± 2) from the edge of the
For safety in use, the hard body impactor should be a reinforcement.
steel ball, with a diameter of 63.5 mm (± 1), with a
mass of 1030 g (± 40) (1 kg steel ball).
For serviceability, it should be a steel ball, with a
diameter of 50 mm (± 0.5), with a mass of 514 g (± 19)
(0.5 kg steel ball).

3.3 Number of tests

3.3.1 Serviceability impact resistance
The test shall be carried out on one test panel, and Figure 4 – Assembly for hard body impact test
generally consists of at least three impacts at
approximately the same point of impact.
3.6 Test procedure
The point of impact should be the one deemed most
onerous for the assembly under examination. In this test, the hard body impactor with mass (m) is
dropped from a height (h), so that the total impact
energy (E = g x h x m) corresponds with one of:
3.3.2 Safety in use impact resistance • hard body impact test (1 kg steel ball): 3 Nm or 10
The test shall be carried out on one test panel, and Nm;
consists of one impact.
• hard body impact test (0.5 kg steel ball): 1.3 Nm;
The point of impact should be the one deemed most 2.5 Nm; 3.75 Nm or 6 Nm.
onerous for the assembly under examination. Note - In most cases g = 9,81 m/s.
Note - The serviceability and safety in use impact test should not be
carried out on the same panel, unless the ETA-applicant of the test
The height (h) is measured between the designated
so wishes. point of impact and the height of release of the hard
body impactor.
 TR 001 page 6
3.7 Expression of test results The test report shall include:
The test result is pass/fail, depending on whether the • reference to the clause 3 of this Technical Report;
panel assemblies meet the following combined criteria:
• the name of the testing laboratory;
Safety in use:
• the name of the ETA Applicant (and manufacturer
• no collapse: the test result is favourable when, after of the panel);
the test, the panel or assembly maintains its
• date of the test;
mechanical integrity and is still capable of carrying
its own weight in the tested position; • description of the test instruments;
• no penetration: the test result is favourable when, • identification of the product tested (designation,
after the test, the impactor has not passed the test dimensions and any relevant identification
specimen; characteristic);
• no projection: the test result is favourable when, • surface structure (e.g. smooth, profiled, structured,
after the test, the impactor has not created parts of …);
the panel (e.g. core, face, reinforcement) to project
• description of the sample tested, and reference to
from the face of the panel, on the other side of the
its marking;
specimen than the impact side, creating sharp
cutting edges or surfaces likely to cause injury by • description of conditioning and preparation of the
contact. sample (if any);
Serviceability: • description of test conditions (temperature and
RH), where required;
• no penetration: the test result is favourable when,
after the test, the impactor has not penetrated the • results of the test, including a description of
face of the test specimen on the impact side of the damage (if any).
specimen;
• no degradation: the test result is favourable when,
after the test, there are no visible (to the naked
eye) cracks, depressions, protuberances or any
other defects in the materials, which may influence
the fitness for use of the panel or assembly.
Deformations, which only affect the appearance,
are allowed, but should be mentioned in the test
report.
For serviceability, the diameter and maximum indention
after each impact and the residual diameter and
indention shall be reported (in mm).
In a favourable test result, the report shall indicate any
damage (e.g. localized surface cavities of small
dimensions, scratches, wear marks in the form of
grooves, etc.).
For extended application of the test results, the general
rule is that test results for the most onerous assembly
can be used to reflect the behaviour of others.
Note: A list of products that are "deemed-to-satisfy without the
need for testing" shall be established in an accompanying
comprehension document.

Annex A
3.8 Test report Recommendations on the use of this
 TR 001 page 7
(kg) impacts (Nm)
Technical Report Soft body impact 50 1 700 or 900 no collapse and
no penetration and
no projection
Hard body impact 1 1 10

This Annex provides information regarding the known

energy levels used for impact resistance tests in EEA Serviceability
countries, at the time of writing. Test Impactor No. of Energy Criteria
(kg) impacts (Nm)
Soft body impact 50 3 100 - 130 - 300 no penetration and
In some cases, several energy levels have been or 400 no degradation
Hard body impact 0.5 3 1 - 3 or 6
identified, depending on the regulatory requirements in
different countries.

A.3 Roofs/Ceilings
A.1 Internal walls
Safety in use
Safety in use Test Impactor
(kg)
No. of
impacts
Energy
(Nm)
Criteria
Test Impactor No. of Energy Criteria
Soft body impact 50 1 900 or 1200 no collapse and
(kg) impacts (Nm)
no penetration and
Soft body impact 50 1 100 - 200 - 300 no collapse and
no projection
- 400 or 500 no penetration and
Hard body impact 1 1 10
no projection
Hard body impact 1 1 10

Serviceability
Note - For soft body impact, depending on the use of the space the Test Impactor No. of Energy Criteria
product encloses, the following types may be foreseen: (kg) impacts (Nm)
Soft body impact 50 1* / 5** 700 no penetration and
Type I: Zones accessible primarily to those with high incentive to no degradation
Hard body impact 0.5 1 5* - 10**
exercise care. Small risk of accidents occurring and of
misuse (100 Nm).
* Roofs, accessible for installation and maintenance only
Type II: Zones accessible primarily to those with some incentive to
exercise care. Some risk of accidents occurring and of ** Accessible roofs
misuse (200 Nm).
Type III: Zones readily accessible to public and others with little
incentive to exercise care. Risk of accidents occurring and A.4 Floors
of misuse (300 Nm).
Safety in use
Type IV: Zones and risk as II and III. In case of failure, risk includes Test Impactor No. of Energy Criteria
the fall to a floor at a lower level (400 or 500 Nm, (kg) impacts (Nm)
Soft body impact 50 1 no no collapse and
depending on regulatory requirements) recommendation no penetration and
available no projection
Hard body impact 1 1

Serviceability
Test Impactor No. of Energy Criteria
(kg) impacts (Nm)
Soft body impact 50 3 60 or no penetration Serviceability
120 and Test Impactor No. of Energy Criteria
no projection (kg) impacts (Nm)
Hard body impact 0.5 3 2,5 * or Soft body impact 50 3 no no penetration
6 ** recommendation and
available no degradation
Note: Hard body impact 0.5 3

* Zones I and II as indicated in the note above

** Zones III and IV as indicated in the note above.

A.2 External walls

Annex B
Safety in use
Test Impactor No. of Energy Criteria References
 TR 001 page 8

B.1 References to clause 2

This test method is derived from the following reference
documents:
- ISO 7892:1988 Vertical Building Components -
Impact Resistance - Impact Bodies and general Test
Procedures.
- ISO/DIS 7893:1990 Performance Standards in
Building - Partitions made from Components - Impact
Resistance Tests.
- M.O.A.T. No 43:1987 UEAtc Directives for Impact
Testing - Opaque Vertical Building Components.
- ETA Guideline 003 Internal Partition Kits.
- EN 1195:1998 Timber structure - Test methods -
Performance of structural floor decking.
- Nordtest Build 493 Resistance to Impact from a large
soft body.

B.2 References to clause 3

This test method is derived from the following reference
documents:
- ISO 7892:1988 Vertical Building Components -
Impact Resistance - Impact Bodies and general Test
Procedures.
- ISO/DIS 7893:1990 Performance Standards in
Building - Partitions made from Components - Impact
Resistance Tests.
- M.O.A.T. No 43:1987 UEAtc Directives for Impact
Testing - Opaque Vertical Building Components.
- ETA Guideline 003 Internal Partition Kits.