STS202 is changing the game for security standards across the construction sector. Ash Pearson, Sales Manager at Jack Aluminium, talks us through the specification and what security benefits it can offer for buildings.

Security: it should always be a concern, but never an issue. When it comes to the design and specification of a project, your clients are likely to be heavily concerned with the security of their building. Alongside thermal and acoustic efficiency, builders, developers, and end-users will want the reassurance that their building or renovation project will be secure, and designed with their needs in mind.

Entry-points such as doors and windows are going to be targets for theft, particularly for commercial buildings. Currently, the minimum standard for glazed window and door security is PAS24:2016, which is a prerequisite for Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation.

What is PAS24:2016?
According to PAS24, door sets and windows must be capable of offering a level of security suitable for dwellings. This is similar to the requirements of BS6375, which covers weather-tightness and other hardware considerations for windows and doors.

PAS24 accredits the door set as fit for purpose and the testing process is designed to mimic an attack by an opportunistic burglar, using tools that would be easy to conceal. PAS24 offers a rigorous testing procedure which focusses on the whole frame, testing for vulnerabilities in the system which allow a burglar to gain entry. PAS24:2016 has set a universal standard for the industry and has been instrumental in maintaining a level of accountability for contractors and fabricators.

STS202: Burglary Resistance
The updated STS202 standard is a requirement for burglary resistance on a range of products, such as door sets, windows, curtain walling, etc. STS202 specifies the use of a range of attack tools that would ordinarily be used by “professional” criminals attempting to gain entry.

The tests focus on high-intensity, consistent attacks on the door set itself, locking cylinders, beading, and most importantly, the glazing unit. These standards far surpass the type of attack ordinarily perpetrated by an opportunistic thief. Both tests offer strict standards that certify door sets as offering solid levels of resistance, however, STS202 specifies a range of attacks which focus on areas most likely to be targeted by burglars, such as glazing units.

Each system is graded along a scale of Burglary Resistance (BR), from BR1 through to BR6. Naturally, BR1 offers a lower grade security rating and BR6 a higher one.

Unlike PAS24, which is a pass/fail certification system, the different grades of burglary resistance provide an indication of how well each system would fare against a sustained attack on each of its components.

Ordinarily, increased security performance comes at the expense of aesthetics, and projects can quickly become compromised due to security concerns changing the nature of the installation. By testing glazed doors and shopfront systems to a higher standard, we remove the need for security measures that compromise the look and feel of a building.

What does it mean for the industry?
A reliance on high-security systems can only mean great things for those of us working in the construction industry. Buildings are more secure, as key entrance points that would usually be vulnerable, are far more difficult to enter — even for experienced criminals.

Clients in commercial or retail sectors will naturally want a higher degree of security than what is normally offered by PAS24. More robust, high-security options are crucial for protecting a client’s stock, assets, or anything of value to would-be thieves.

We should be offering higher levels of security as standard.  At Jack Aluminium, we want to practice what we preach, so we had our TD68 system accredited to STS202-BR2. This required no changes to our design or manufacturing process, which means that this extra peace of mind doesn’t come at the expense of lead times.

By expanding our range of fully tested commercial door options to meet today’s market demand, we can give architects and specifiers a full suite of high-performing door options that provide the excellent levels of security necessary for high-specification commercial projects.

When choosing window and door sets for a property, save you and your client valuable time on site by choosing systems accredited with STS202-BR. A more robust and comprehensive security testing option that offers peace of mind, without compromising on design.

Contact Details
Ash Pearson is the Sales Manager for Jack Aluminium. For more information about Jack Aluminium and their products and services, visit their website at jackaluminium.co.uk .