National Home Security Month Week 2

In this weeks instalment we are focusing on physical home security and the relevant security standards which the lock should comply with to suit home insurance requirements.

Are your windows and doors secured with locks that meet British Standards?

If you are confused about security standards, don’t worry, we will be able to help you to assess whether the locks on your doors and windows meet the criteria for British Standards. You should ensure that your locks all have the British Standard KiteMark and conform to one or more of the following:

• BS7950 – the standard for window security
• BS3621 – the standard for locks
• TS007 – the standard for anti-snap locks
• PAS 24 – the standard for door security (PAS 24 differs because it is an independent test carried out on a whole door or window where components are tested within that door / window to certain standards. Individually, products cannot be tested to PAS 24 as it is the door or window that holds the test certification).

If, however, you would like to delve deeper into the details, then you can find out more here.

Timber doors more commonly have a type of Rim cylinder & Night latch or Mortice dead/sashlock fitted. For the locks to meet your home insurance policy requirements they will usually have to be British Standard BS3621 rated.

The British Standard BS3621 is a vigorous testing criteria that the lock has to withstand against before its granted the coveted BS kite-mark. Be sure to read the content of your home insurance policy and make sure your locks meet with the recommended standard, otherwise you could potentially find your home not covered! How to tell if your existing locks are BS rated?

The good news is, it’s very easy to check! If your locks are up to spec the kite-mark will be visible somewhere on the lock.

There are also many additional security options that can be fitted to wooden doors,  from basic surface mounted sliding bolts to more secure mortice door bolts that are fitted into the door and frame, security chains, spy hole viewers etc.

One of the most common types of door to date is probably uPVC and with the rise of new builds,  composite doors are now the popular choice for many home builders, so its fair to say they are becoming  increasingly more prevalent. These doors usually have a multi-point locking mechanism that runs the full length of the door, operated by the door handle and locked by the euro-cylinder. You have various security options with these types of doors from different types of mechs to vast ranges of euro cylinders with ascending security levels.

A very highly publicised issue with budget euro-cylinders is the fact that if they have been fitted poorly they become a snapping risk. This a very quick, crude and aggressive method that a potential burglar will try when attempting to break into your home.

However there are now a variety of very effective options to combat this threat. When upgrading/replacing euro-cylinders the very minimum requirement we advise is anti-snap. These type of cylinders are designed in such a way that in the attempt of snapping, a sacrificial part of the cylinder will break loose leaving the remaining cylinder body intact and more importantly still locked!

No matter what materials the windows are made of we recommend that they should be key lockable. On most modern uPVC Windows this feature will come as standard. However if you find this is not the case, don’t worry this very easily sorted by just replacing the window handle to one that is key lockable.

There are various styles and finishes to choose from that will match any existing specification. With wooden framed windows it will usually be a case of fitting additional locks that are the best match for the design of the window and frames you have.

While having key operated locks on every window would be a perfect scenario, if you are on a tight budget, depending what your insurance policy requires you may only have to secure all ground floor windows and any odd window above a flat roof, high wall etc. basically anywhere of high risk.