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It’s been more than 3 years since I wrote my first guide to standards for Glass News and, although the standards market isn’t renowned for how quickly it moves, there have been a few significant changes since then so I thought that now would be a good time to cover the ones that affect door manufacture. I’ll cover windows in a future issue.
Door sets:
PAS24: 2016 (supersedes PAS24: 2012)
This is the current security standard for door sets in the UK and it certifies that a particular door, frame, lock and hardware set has withstood a series of physical tests based on the common methods of burglary. The tests include: bi-directional loading, hard and soft body impacts and manual attack with crow bars, screwdrivers, knives and chisels. The standard is split into 3 parts: Part A – Security hardware and cylinder test assessment, Part B – Enhanced security performance for doorsets and Part C – Enhanced security performance for windows.
The main differences between PAS24: 2016 and PAS24: 2012 are:
- The scope has been widened – 2016 includes more designs of doors and now includes single and double swing, sliding (single and multi-track), pivot, folding sliding (single and multi-track) and stable doors.
- Entry criteria – if an aperture of 50mm or greater is created during any of the tests, other than cutting test in zone 2, the door is classed as failed. This used to be 225mm x 380mm in PAS24: 2012 on a door using a removable key.
- The cutting test has been made more practical – the failure criteria is a 50mm diameter hole within zone 1 (400mm band above and below the unlocking point) and a 225mm x 380mm hole (body block) anywhere in zone 2.
- The classification has been simplified – door sets were previously classed as either DK (door with key entry) or DT (door with thumbturn entry) but in PAS24: 2016 they are all classed as D.
- More robust requirements for letterplates – A maximum aperture size of 260mm x 40mm, installation height stated in BS EN 13724: 2013 and it must also now meet the specification of TS008: 2015.
BS: PAS24: 2012 (standard withdrawn)
Although PAS24: 2016 supersedes PAS24: 2012 the building regulation Approved Document Q references PAS24: 2012 so, at the moment, fabricators can either test their doors to 2012 or 2016.
You’ll see from the differences stated in PAS24: 2016 that this can be significant, especially when it comes to the entry criteria, cutting test and letterplate test.
Door cylinders:
BS EN 1303: 2005
This is the minimum requirement to show that a cylinder is fit for purpose. It includes a series of tests on the cylinder which result in an 8-digit code (normally stamped on the keys). All cylinders submitted for testing in PAS24: 2012 and PAS24: 2016 must comply with this standard.
BSI Kitemark on cylinders
The Kitemark on a cylinder indicates that it has been submitted to the MLA (via BSI or a UKAS accredited test centre) for testing by three independent locksmiths to see if the cylinder is bump resistant. This can sometimes be misleading for consumers though as they understandably think that a Kitemarked cylinder has been tested for security but this is a General Vulnerability Assessment and not a PAS24 test.
TS007: 2014 + A1:2015 Enhanced security for replacement door cylinders and security hardware
A Door and Hardware Federation specification introduced to try to combat the problem of lock snapping. It works on a star system: 1 star indicates that a cylinder is bump resistant, 2 stars indicates that security hardware such as handles and cylinder guards can resist a three minute attack with the tools set out in PAS24, and 3 stars indicated that a standalone cylinder can resist the same three minute attack. Installers can choose either to combine a 1 star cylinder and a 2 star handle to meet the standard or to use a standalone 3 star cylinder. Our opinion is that it is better to fit a security handle and an anti-bump cylinder as this also works as a visual deterrent.
TS008: 2015 Enhanced security and general requirements for letter plate assemblies and slide through boxes
Also a Door and Hardware Federation specification, introduced to try to and combat the problem of opportunist attack on a door via the letterplate. The TS008 specification covers attack methods that include forced removal of letterplate, removing of posted items, ability to manipulate the unlocking point on the door and fishing. PAS24: 2016 requires the letterplate to achieve a security Grade 2.
Preventing manipulation of the unlocking point and fishing is usually achieved by fitting of a secondary security device e.g. a letterplate cowl. Letterplate cowls have always been used to combat security issues but TS008 goes a little bit further and states that prior to conducting any tests the letterplate or letterplate and security device should meet the criteria of clauses 5.4.4 and 6.4.4 described in the Postal service standard EN 13724:2013.
Click here to read part two
If you want any specific help in interpreting the standards or in specifying hardware which complies, contact me by email scooke@mila.co.uk or via Twitter @StraffordCooke
