Door Industry Journal - Winter 2018

7 THE door industry journal winter 2018 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Industry News Traditionally, home security is a reactive purchase once an incident has already happened as opposed to proactively preventing theft. The industry needs to work together to highlight the effectiveness of simple security solutions to help take potential victims out of the equation. Securing entry points A recent crime survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics found that around 15 per cent of burglaries took place because doors were not locked, while in around seven per cent of cases a window was open or could be pushed open. This shows that a shocking number of homeowners underestimate the importance of sufficient door and window security and still need to be educated on how to properly secure these entry points and provide protection against common methods of attack. Lock snapping is one such method amongst burglars as it requires little or no experience or skill. In response to attacks, fabricators and installers should be promoting cylinders that meet the TS007 standard – developed in conjunction with the Door and Hardware Federation. Under the TS007 three-star system, the cylinder, or a combination of the cylinder and security furniture, must have an accumulative three stars to meet the minimum-security requirements. To achieve the highest TS007 3 Star accreditation the Yale Platinum 3 Star cylinder has been independently tested by BSI (British Standards Institution), against known cylinder attack methods. The benefit of the three-star accreditation means no additional specialist security door furniture is necessary to achieve the highest level so any door furniture can be used. Fabricators and installers should also highlight the importance of securing windows and doors in garages and outbuildings. Garages often provide access to the rest of a house and typically contain ladders and tools that could prove useful for a burglar to gain access to other areas of the property. Delivering a compliant letterplate It’s easy to forget that letterplates also represent a potential entry point to a home. However, as of 1st October 2018, PAS 24:2016 is now mandatory for all new developments or refurbishment projects that wish to meet Secured by Design (SBD), and this includes the requirement for TS008 letterplates to be installed on all doorsets. What’s more, a recent advice note from The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) stated that any one supplying or installing new products into existing properties should meet the requirements of Part B, E, L, M and Q of the Building Regulations. TS008:2015 certified letterplates are specifically referenced within the Building Regulation’s Approved Document Q as being shown to protect against various attack methods, including letterplate ‘fishing’. As a result of this new mandatory legislation, we’ve developed our new Yale Postmaster Professional letterplate, which is the most rigorously tested TS008 product on the market and helps OEMs meet the demand for compliant doorsets. It combines superior security, a modern design and a range of unique features, making it an unrivalled product within the current letterplate market. Smart Security Also meeting the requirements of TS 007 and offering a whole host of additional features the Conexis ® L1 Smart Door Lock allows users to configure, control and unlock their door all from their smartphone. Offering multiple benefits for installers and homeowners alike, the lock has been designed to provide a high level of security, including a tamper alarm and secure thumbturn to protect against letterplate fishing. This gives trade professionals an easy entry point into the smart home market, enabling them to capitalise on a new revenue stream. Door and window fabricators and installers can capitalise on the Yale brand and provide assurance to their consumers that one of the key components of the design – security – is in tried and tested hands. By working together, the door and window industry can help to ensure that homeowners across the UK are prepared for the darker nights, with the necessary security upgrades in place to offer protection from any opportunist criminal. For further information on the products available from Yale Door and Windows Solutions, please visit www.yaledws.co.uk or follow @YaleDWS on Twitter.