1.1 Product definition This specification contains the initial, start of life dimensional, optical, mechanical and environmental performance requirements of a fully installed splice closure in order for it to be categorised as an EN standard product. 1.2 Operating environment The tests selected combined with the severity and duration are representative of an outside plant for subterranean and/or aerial environments defined by: ETSI EN 300 019 class 8.1: underground locations (without earthquake requirement) EN 61753-1 category S: subterranean environment category A: aerial environment 1.3 Reliability Whilst the anticipated service life expectancy of the product in this environment is 20 years, compliance with this specification does not guarantee the reliability of the product. This should be predicted using a recognised reliability assessment programme. 1.4 Quality assurance Compliance with this specification does not guarantee the manufacturing consistency of the product. This should be maintained using a recognised quality assurance programme. 1.5 Allowed fibre and cable types Although the performance tests are carried out on test samples with dispersion unshifted single mode fibre (see Annex A), the closure, once tested according to this product specification, will be also suited for other fibre types like dispersion shifted, non-zero dispersion shifted and multi-mode fibres. This closure standard allows both singlemode and multimode fibre to be used and covers all IEC standard optical fibre cables with their various fibre capacities, types and designs. This includes, but is not limited to, optical fibre cable standards EN 60794-2 (indoor), EN 60794-3 (outdoor).