Aluprof UK: ‘Security Matters’
In this feature Wojciech Brozyna, MD of Secured by Design member company Aluprof UK, looks at PAS24 and Q-Mark, what these standards refer to and what they mean.
“With various security standards now sited for door and window installations, it can be difficult to determine which ‘standard’ should be acceptable when choosing new windows and doors. Often confusing is PAS24 and Q-Mark, so what do these ‘standards’ refer to and what do they mean?
“According to the British Standards Institution (BSI), there are currently twenty-three standards that are relevant when specifying windows and doors. Not all standards are applicable to any one product, but one product will need to pass a selection of these standards, depending on its design and material composition.
“One of the most basic specifications for all products, will be to meet ‘BS 6375-1:2015+A1:2016 - Performance of windows and doors - Classification for weather-tightness and guidance on selection and specification’. Basically, a standard which aims to determine that the window or door will keep the weather out when used in a given location, perhaps a product’s most basic function.
“With a simple latch, the door or window can be ‘closed’ against the weather and keep the warmth inside and help increase sound attenuation. Adding a simple lock will improve security, but will it meet current methods of possible attack when an intruder seeks access?
Wojciech Brozyna, MD of Aluprof UK
“The ‘PAS 24:2016 - Enhanced security performance requirements for door-sets and windows in the UK. Door-sets and windows intended to offer a level of security suitable for dwellings and other buildings exposed to comparable risk’ is a ‘Product Assessment Specification’ which is referenced to in the Building Regulations Approved Document Q1, Security in dwellings.
“By specifying multipoint locking arrangements for enhanced break-in security and allowing simple egress by the optional use of thumb turn devices on doors, forms part of this standard along with the testing of products. This enhanced security specification has quickly become the minimum requirement for home security, ease of use and what is required in products used in new build homes and home improvement.
“As explained, PAS24 is a BSI standard which measures a products performance level at a given time, this differs from a Q-Mark which is a mark of quality consistency over time. Coupled together Q-Mark can show potential customers that their production consistently reaches PAS 24.
Sometimes known as a ‘third-party’ certification process, the Q-Mark approach involves both initial and ongoing standards testing of products that are being produced, together with audits of the production facility. The reason for this? Random testing of products demonstrates that up to 50% of typical door and window production will initially fail the claimed security standard requiring remedial work to bring them up to standard. Quality certification, therefore, ensures that every door and window in production meets the PAS24 standard, not just the ones currently undergoing testing.
“BM TRADA offer the Q-Mark certification scheme which involves initial type testing and the implementation of factory production control audits. In order to maintain certification, a company undergoes periodic audit testing and factory production control audits from BM TRADA. This certification is regarded in the UK as one of the most rigorous and intensive processes currently awarded. The quality of the Q-Mark Certification scheme is recognised by the NHBC and the National House Building Council.
“Membership of the Q-Mark scheme is purely voluntary, but any company entering the scheme shows their commitment to offering quality products, as a result Q-Mark is increasingly being specified by contractors. Aluprof UK has several systems of doors and windows which meet PAS 24 and offer Q-Mark certification, more information is available on our website or on the BM TRADA portal where our certificates can be viewed.”
References
BSI Standards covering windows and doors:
BM TRADA certification:
ALUPROF UK Certificates:
The Secured by Design Police Preferred Specification
Secured by Design (SBD) operates an accreditation scheme on behalf of the UK Police Service for products or services that have met recognised security standards. These products or services – which must be capable of deterring or preventing crime - are known as being of a ‘Police Preferred Specification’.
Police Preferred Specification explained:
https://www.securedbydesign.com/member-companies/police-preferred-specification-explained
There are many hundreds of companies who produce over 7000 individual attack resistant crime prevention products in more than 30 different categories that have met the exacting Police Preferred Specification. This includes doors, windows, external storage, bicycle and motorcycle security, locks and hardware, asset marking, alarms, CCTV, safes, IoT connected products, perimeter security products and many others. SBD is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK.
SBD is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK.
Aluprof
Since setting up the Aluprof Office at the Business Design Centre in London, the company has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their high-performance architectural aluminium systems.
Further expansion of the company’s headquarters in Altrincham now provides specifiers with meeting facilities and an extensive showroom of commercial systems to view.
With overseas growth across Europe spreading into the Middle East and firm roots already in East of USA, the company has become a global player in facade supply. Further information is available on the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham on 0161 941 4005.