Strengthening the weak

With the introduction of PAS023 and 024 and the ‘Designing out Crime’ initiative from Secured by Design, doors and their hardware have seen significant performance and security improvements.

Testing standards need to be continually evolving in order to keep pace with improved solutions and techniques as the ‘intruder’ becomes more devious.

When introduced, PAS023 & 024 was the minimum standard to which all door and hardware manufacturers measured the performance of their product.

PAS 023 relates to the general performance of the door, its functionality and resistance against the elements.

It is under PAS 024 that additional amendments have been proposed and implemented. PAS 024 identified a series of tests to replicate a potential attack on the body of the door and at each of the locking points including the hinges to determine the door resistance to potential vulnerable points of entry.

French and patio doors

A major weakness of the test has always been patio and French doors which are often the commonest means of entry at the rear of a property usually through a conservatory.

In 2005, amendment no 3 was issued to extend the standard to cover French doors with sliding patio doors following shortly.

Manufacturers have largely anticipated the changes by offering lockable slave and master locks with shoot bolts into the outer frame which along with low threshold solutions under the new DDA requirements can easily meet these revised amendments.

The increase in the attack and resulting break-ins through euro-profile cylinders and the recent national press coverage relating to the vulnerability of these cylinders has led to a further revision of the standard. Working in conjunction with ACPO (The Association of Chief Police Officers) and trade representatives, BSI believes that further amendments relating to the security of the whole doorset is necessary.

A door is only as strong as its the weakest point, even with the latest security components, if a sharp instrument can cut an aperture in the fabric weakening the door suffiently to allow entry.

Whether homeowners will wish to live behind steel reinforced doors with multi locking points is debatable, but it may be the final chapter for the PVC door

European Harmonisation

UK standards are, however, likely to be supplanted by the introduction of prENs 1627-30, a Europe-wide harmonisation of standards designed to create a level playing field across all members states.

The proposed standard will create a requirement for substantially stronger doors to be able to withstand the greater reliance upon manual attack tests with consequential implications for both profile and hardware manufacturers.

Ensuring that those tests are carried out equitably by different test houses is a critical element of this proposed standard.

Whether homeowners will wish to live behind heavy duty steel reinforced doors with multi locking points as seen in mainland Europe and in the USA is debatable but it may be the final chapter for the traditional PVC door.

Seizing the Challenge

Laird is at the forefront of technological developments including the launch of an innovative security solution for the protection of locking cylinders called Euro-Secure (recently commended by the Construction Products Association).

Additionally the company has invested in an automatic access control system for doors operated by an electronic key fob system called Locca, which is ideal for the old and disabled in providing a secure but easy access to their home.

In partnership with ERA Security Products (a Laird Group company), it has improved significantly its range of Multi-point locks door locks and introduced a host of new features including improved corrosion resistance and security.

The introduction of a new central hook positioned centrally in the gearbox has improved the resistance to disengagement and reinforced customer perception in the security and performance of their door.

The locks are designed with a low operating force and are supported by stronger 3D ‘easy to adjust’ hinges, hinge-side door bolts, sash lifters to overcome droop and integral safety-guards to help the homeowner young, elderly or disabled with a long-term trouble-free operation.