Frequently Asked Questions
Concise information on products, standards, and technical details

Whether it’s technical details, product selection, or questions about standards – the FAQ section provides well-founded answers to the most common topics.
For further information or individual support, the appropriate contact persons are available.

General Information

  • The FSB product overview and all brochures are available on our download page.

    Prefer printed material? No problem - just send us an email at info@fsb.de to request printed materials.

  • On the ausschreiben.de platform, you’ll find our full range of specification texts.
    If you need assistance with your specifications, our international Specwrite team will be happy to support you.

  • We treat your application documents with strict confidentiality and in accordance with current data protection regulations.

  • Our distribution map lists all of our qualified FSB retail partners.

  • CAD data in DWG or DXF format can be found in our product finder. Each product comes with its own data set. Please note that the product must first be fully configured. Once configured, the CAD files will be available for download.

    If you can't find the files you need, please email us at info@fsb.de.

Standards & Regulations

  • No – any structural modification will invalidate the certified burglary protection.

    Requests such as a different lever handle or knob must be coordinated in advance with FSB’s internal sales team and custom-manufactured accordingly.

  • ASL levers can only be used on fire doors in international markets according to DIN EN 1634.
    We hold an internal certificate from a door manufacturer documenting the testing on the hinge side.

  • You can choose between a square or oval rose. However, this involves additional work and we charge a surcharge or discount accordingly. The price differences can be found in our price list.

    The price list can be requested by email and will be sent to you.

  • By default, FSB does not manufacture hardware to ANSI standards. If you require products to this specification, please contact our North American office. You'll find contact information in our Service and Contact section.

  • Fire rated hardware is subject to specific technical requirements defined in Germany by DIN 18273. This standard is listed in Part A of the building code register maintained by DIBt (Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik) and is therefore legally binding.

    Anyone placing fire protection fittings on the market that do not meet these requirements is acting illegally.

    Fire-rated hardware may only be supplied as a complete unit, including the approved mounting hardware specified for the hardware. Each fitting must also be clearly marked - in the case of FSB products, this marking appears on the spindle as "FSB FS DIN 18273".

  • No, that is not permitted. To comply with legal fire safety requirements, fire-rated hardware sets must always be supplied as a complete unit: as a lever set, a fixed/moving set, or—in the case of double-leaf doors—as a half set for the inactive leaf.

  • CAD data in DWG or DXF format can be found in our product finder. Each product comes with its own data set. Please note that the product must first be fully configured. Once configured, the CAD files will be available for download.

    If you can't find the files you need, please email us at info@fsb.de.

Door Hardware

  • By default, FSB does not manufacture hardware to ANSI standards. If you require products to this specification, please contact our North American office. You'll find contact information in our Service and Contact section.

  • You can choose between a square or oval rose. However, this involves additional work and we charge a surcharge or discount accordingly. The price differences can be found in our price list.

    The price list can be requested by email and will be sent to you.

  • ASL levers can only be used on fire doors in international markets according to DIN EN 1634.
    We hold an internal certificate from a door manufacturer documenting the testing on the hinge side.

  • No – any structural modification will invalidate the certified burglary protection.

    Requests such as a different lever handle or knob must be coordinated in advance with FSB’s internal sales team and custom-manufactured accordingly.

  • Window handles are not permitted for use on primary escape routes.

    According to safety requirements, hardware on escape routes must allow for downward operation and must open the lock within 1 second using a maximum force of 70 N. This is not feasible with a standard window handle.
    See also the requirements for door handles in DIN EN 179.

    Whether a window can qualify as a secondary means of escape must be clarified with the building authority, fire department, or a certified expert. We are not aware of any specific requirements that apply to the window handle itself.

  • Yes – the push-button version of lockable FSB window handles is RC-compliant and meets the requirements for burglar-resistant hardware in accordance with DIN EN 1627.

Materials & Finishes

  • FSB products are made of aluminum, stainless steel, and bronze. A wide range of surface finishes is also available—carefully selected to meet design intent, durability, and architectural context.

    Learn more about each material:

  • Anodizing refers to the coloring of the oxide layer on aluminum. This process—known as electrolytic oxidation—gives naturally silver-toned aluminum a range of metallic color finishes.

    Anodizing also protects the relatively soft aluminum surface against scratches and weather exposure (aluminum does not rust). However, in high-traffic environments like schools, visible wear of the oxide layer may occur over time.

    To achieve a refined texture and premium look, the aluminum is bead-blasted with fine steel shot before anodizing. This creates a subtly roughened finish that is unique within the industry.

    More on the finish “Bead-Blasted and Color-Anodized Aluminum”:

  • Aluminum hardware can be finished with a powder coating—an electrostatic painting process in which colored pigments are applied and cured on the surface.

    Available colors follow the RAL color system, with a semi-matte gloss level of around 25 %, giving the finish a refined, understated appearance.

    More on “Aluminum + Color”

  • Stainless steel is classified into different grades, primarily based on corrosion resistance—such as V2A or V4A.

    FSB uses high-quality V2A stainless steel, material number 1.4301 – a durable alloy known for its resistance to corrosion, longevity, and refined surface finish.

    More on this material—particularly suited for high-demand applications:

  • FSB offers stainless steel in two standard surface finishes:

    - Fine brushed matte
    - Polished (not mirror-polished)

    Both finishes are created using mechanical grinding belts and differ in their pre-treatment processes.

    A post-production change from matte to polished—or vice versa—is not possible, as each finish requires a specific surface preparation.

  • PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition—a highly advanced process in which a decorative and durable finish is vapor-deposited onto a base material.

    In a high-vacuum chamber, zirconium is vaporized using arc technology and chemically combined with gases to produce metallic-looking color tones. This technique is commonly used in the watch, jewelry, and eyewear industriesto imitate materials that cannot be used for the actual product.

    FSB applies PVD coatings exclusively to stainless steel. The resulting surface has a hardness of approximately 2100 HV(Vickers).

    Two PVD colors are available: brass tone and black.

  • FSB manufactures door and window handles from aluminum using the gravity die casting process (also known as permanent mold casting). The products are made from solid material and are anodized after casting.

    Learn more about this sustainable lightweight material:

  • Like our aluminum versions, FSB’s door and window hardware made of bronze is crafted from solid material. It is produced using sand casting or the lost-wax process—techniques traditionally used in casting church bells. Due to its high specific weight, bronze is noticeably heavier than aluminum or stainless steel.

    The bronze alloy used at FSB is a premium-grade copper-tin alloy (CuSn8), consisting of 92% copper and 8% tin. Over time, exposure to weather, humidity, or the natural oils from our hands creates a patina—a natural aging process that gives the material its distinctive character. This same transformation can be observed on copper gutters or old coins.

    FSB’s bronze hardware is pre-darkened (chemically patinated) at the factory and then vacuum-sealed before shipping. With regular use, touchpoints gradually lighten, creating a surface that reflects both time and use.

    Each bronze fitting comes with a care guide detailing material characteristics and maintenance.

    Learn more about the refined aesthetics of bronze:

  • The V2A stainless steel used by FSB (material no. 1.4301) offers a high level of corrosion resistance and is generally suitable for use in swimming pool environments.

    According to the German Stainless Steel Information Center, this material is approved for components that are not installed directly in pool basins and do not have large joints or weld seams—which applies to door and window hardware.

Newsletter

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