Are doors tested to PAS24 secure?

Building regulations in England state that all newly built properties and material change of use of properties to dwellings, will require their easily accessible doorsets tested and certified for enhanced security with PAS24 being a commonly accepted standard. Currently, this does not mean that any front or entrance doors that are not PAS24 rated will have to be replaced, but any residential developers will need to source PAS24 entrance doors for their current and future projects.

But are doors tested to PAS24 secure?

PAS24 is a publicly available specification published by BSI that provides a method for testing and assessing the enhanced security performance requirements of doorsets and window types intended to resist the levels and methods of attack experienced in the UK and normally associated with the casual or opportunist burglar.

Much like fire certifications, having a set standard for doorsets will give developers confidence that they are providing maximum safety, as well as the certification to show every step has been taken to ensure security on their development.

PAS24 doors are rigorously tested

PAS24 doors are rigorously tested to ensure the doors are as secure as possible. These tests include:

Annexe A

The doors subjected the security hardware and cylinder test and assessment to determine if they can resist attacks using 3 set toolboxes of specified tools commonly used by opportunist burglars. If entry is gained the doorset has failed. Each of the activities follows a set of predefined requirements for duration of attack from what would be the exterior side of the door. The activities include limitations on attack time and rest time which allow the tester to change tools and rethink the attack method for maximum opportunity for success. The method is spilt into a number of parts to test the door and its ironmongery as a system rather than any item itself in isolation. The methods and the tools in the toolboxes are periodically reviewed as new successful methods of attack are discovered so the standard remains current.

Annex B

The objective of this annex is assess the ability of the doorset to resist mechanical loading. Again it is deemed to have failed if entry is gained.

The tests consist of a series of soft and hard body pendulum style impact tests, cutting attack tests and mechanical load tests. All designed to test the doorsets ability resist entry from applied forces. A series of manipulation attacks are also carried out to try and disengage or disassemble ironmongery and gain entry. Tests to try and remove infills or weaken the door to enable entry are also included in this annexe. There is also a manual check test to explore any other vulnerabilities that can be exploited that are not covered by the standard loading cases. This is conducted with full knowledge of the samples construction.

The PAS24 test is considered to be a current and effective way to meet requirements of building regulations in England and Wales.

Conclusion

No door or certification are full proof but by sourcing a doorset tested to PAS24, you can have the confidence that the door has been rigorously tested by BSI and you have the certification to provide maximum security at your project.

If you have any questions about PAS24 timber doors, or timber doorsets, please contact us today.