Door Industry Journal - Winter 2021

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk THE door industry journal winter 2021 Industry News 14 Your Guide to Secured by Design To ensure safety and security, it is paramount that locks and physical safety products installed at properties exceed the minimum standards and adhere to the Police Preferred Specification accreditation scheme, Secured by Design. Here, Scott Copeland Category Manager at IronmongeryDirect explores the factors to consider when selecting door security solutions. The UK Police Service established the Secured by Design (SBD) initiative in 1989 to offer guidance on how to improve the security of homes, businesses and public buildings. SBD emphasises that the layout of properties and their boundaries, as well as the correct specification of key property features such as door and window locks and latches, can all significantly improve security. Although SBD is not mandatory, it is important that professionals adopt the guidance as part of a best practice approach when working on new developments or refurbishments, to increase the level of security beyond that outlined in the Building Regulations. Approved Document Q Part of the Building Regulations, Approved Document Q sets out the minimal level of security required for easily accessible doors, windows and roof lights in all new homes and existing buildings underdoing a change in use. ‘Easily accessible’ access points refers to: • A window or doorway, any part of which is within 2m vertically of an accessible level surface such as the ground or basement level, or an access balcony, or • A window within 2m vertically of a flat or sloping roof (with a pitch of less than 30°) that is within 3.5m of ground level. To prevent unauthorised access to a dwelling, Approved Document Q says that doorsets and windows should be manufactured and tested to meet the security requirements of PAS 24:2016, and Appendix B for bespoke timber secure doorsets. Secured by Design: door security SBD goes beyond the requirements of Approved Document Q and looks to ensure that properties are as secure as possible. It recognises that every property is different, and therefore advises that doorset components (including the door, frame, locks, fittings and glazing) should be carefully selected so that they are in line with the building’s use and occupants’ needs. For example, residential properties with a shared entrance will require products like the ERA Keyless Egress Nightlatch that prevents keyless access from the outside but allows occupants to open the door from the inside at all times without needing a key to ensure safe evacuation in an emergency. Whereas the ERA Double Locking Nightlatch is a more suitable solution for properties without a shared entrance, as if an intruder breaks the glazing in the door or adjacent window in an attempt to open the door from the inside, the handle will not turn. To improve the security of the door further, a high- quality cylinder should be combined with a PAS 24 compliant high-security door handle. When selecting any doorset that provides direct access to the property – including front, rear, garage, patio and balcony doors – always make sure that it is certified to the PAS 24: 2016 standard (or the equivalent STS or LPS standard). Adopting the best practice guidelines outlined in SBD will go a long way to improving the safety and security of a property. To find out more about IronmongeryDirect’s range of security products, including those with SBD certification, visit www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk .