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FB4 Ballistic.
Bullet resistance, tested.

BS EN 1522 / 1523 classification at FB4 level on Fort Vault FB4 doorsets. Tested by D.J. Goode & Associates against .44″ Rem Magnum and .357 Magnum classification ammunition. Classified FB4 Pass “S”. The only ballistic-certified product in the Fort range, and the third leg of the Fort Vault FB4 triple-cert story.

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BS EN 1522 and BS EN 1523 are the European bullet-resistance standards for windows, doors, shutters, and blinds. They define a classification system (FB1 through FB7, plus FSG for shotgun-specific testing) tested against a defined set of “classification ammunition” at specified velocities and bullet masses. FB4 sits in the upper-middle of the civilian range, suitable for high-threat building applications.

Fort holds FB4 certification on the Fort Vault FB4 doorset, tested by D.J. Goode & Associates Ltd at their enclosed UKAS-accredited range in Suffolk in November 2020. The classification result is FB4 Pass “S” – meaning the door stops the test ammunition, with splinters observed behind the leaf under test conditions. This is a normal FB4 pass; the alternative is Pass “NS” which requires additional treatment behind the leaf.

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Understanding FB4

What the classification covers.

FB4 isn’t a single number – it’s a classification system with specific ammunition, defined velocities, and a pass/fail variant that matters for the spec. Worth unpacking, especially if you’re cross-referencing it against other ballistic standards (UL 752, NIJ).

01

FB1 to FB7

The FB scale runs from FB1 (rifled-barrel handgun, low velocity) up to FB7 (high-velocity military rifle rounds). FB4 sits in the upper handgun / lower rifle territory, covering the most common civilian ballistic threats.

02

FB4 ammunition

FB4 tests two cartridges: .44″ Remington Magnum and .357 Magnum. Both with full metal jacket, soft core bullets at controlled velocities. Each round is fired three times at the test specimen at specified angles.

03

Pass S vs Pass NS

BS EN 1523 has two pass classifications. “S” means the door stops penetration, with splinters or spalling observed behind. “NS” means no splinters behind the leaf – typically requires additional rear-face treatment.

04

UKAS Testing 4621

The test laboratory holds UKAS Testing accreditation reference 4621, which is what makes the cert a UKAS-accredited ballistic test rather than just a private firing-range report.

Spec writers: read this

What Pass “S” means for the project

Fort Vault FB4 holds FB4 Pass “S”. The door stops the FB4 ammunition. Bullets do not penetrate the leaf, frame, or threshold under the tested conditions. What the “S” classification flags is that splinters or spalling were observed on the unexposed face during testing – particles dislodged by the bullet impact reaching the rear of the assembly.

For most architectural applications this is acceptable. The door protects against the ballistic threat. Where Pass “S” needs further discussion is where occupants would be directly behind the door at the moment of attack – operating rooms during procedures, certain dignitary protection scenarios, panic rooms with personnel pressed against the inner face. In those cases the spec conversation should cover Pass “NS” treatment (rear cladding) or alternative approaches.

If in doubt, send us the application and threat profile. We’ll be straight about whether Pass “S” suits the use case or whether the spec needs to go further.

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The product

The Fort Vault FB4. Triple-certified.

FB4 ballistic is one of three independent certifications carried by the Fort Vault FB4 doorset. The same physical product that holds the LPCB scheme certifications for forced entry and fire integrity also carries the DJ Goode ballistic certification. One door, three rated threat profiles.

FB4 Pass “S”

Fort Vault FB4

Cert DGA028 · Issue 3 · February 2021

Single-leaf outward-opening security doorset. Plain Carbon Steel structural framework, Rockwool insulation infill, MDF-clad outer finish. The full FB4 specification is documented in the test report (Fort Engineering Ltd TS110/R), available with the certificate on request.

The FB4 classification applies to single-leaf outward-opening configurations only. The test result doesn’t automatically transfer to inward-opening variants, double-leaf assemblies, or alternative hardware sets without further testing.

– All three certifications on this one product

FB4 Pass “S”

Ballistic resistance · Cert DGA028

You’re on this page

For MOD List X / List N, embassy work, data centre critical rooms, or high-net-worth residential safe rooms where forced-entry, fire, and ballistic threats all sit on the same opening – the Fort Vault FB4 is the product that closes all three on one assembly.

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The test

What was actually tested.

The test data below comes verbatim from the DGA028 certificate. Two cartridges, three shots each, at specified velocities and masses. This is the actual evidence base behind the FB4 classification.

Ammunition A

.44″ Rem Magnum

Bullet type

Full Metal Jacket, Flat Nosed, Soft Core (Lead)

Velocity

440 m/s ± 10 m/s

Mass

15.6 grams ± 0.1g

Ammunition B

.357″ Magnum

Bullet type

Full Metal Jacket, Coned Nosed, Soft Core (Lead)

Velocity

430 m/s ± 10 m/s

Mass

10.2 grams ± 0.1g

– Test conditions

Test dates

19-20 November 2020

Location

Enclosed range, The Old Control Tower, Lavenham Airfield, Alpheton, Suffolk, CO10 9BT

Laboratory

D.J. Goode & Associates Ltd · UKAS Testing 4621

Signed by

David Robinson, Testing & Compliance Manager

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Documents

The actual certificate.

The DGA028 certificate is a single-page issued document, available on request. There’s no public verification register for D.J. Goode & Associates ballistic certificates the way LPCB runs RedBook Live – verification is via the certificate itself, or directly with the test house if a procurement team needs to authenticate independently.

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FB4 Ballistic Classification – Fort Vault FB4

DGA028 · Issue 3

Issued February 2021 · D.J. Goode & Associates · UKAS Testing 4621

Request PDF

Need the FB4 cert for a project?

Tell us the project brief and threat profile, we’ll send the cert plus the supporting test report TS110/R if the application requires the full technical evidence.

Request the ballistic certificate →

Specifying ballistic resistance on a live project?

Fort Vault FB4 is the manufactured product. The customer brand handles the procurement, the survey, and the installation. Tell us the project type and we’ll route you to the right brand.

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