PAS 24 has long been the go-to document for security certification of domestic doors and windows. When the Approved Document Q was published several years ago, it made it compulsory for builders to provide a level of security in new build homes regarding doors and windows and this was the first ever requirement for security in building regulation. PAS 24 is the easiest way to meet the requirement of Approved Document Q.
Long before Approved Document Q was published, PAS 24 was developing into a very fit-for-purpose document and at this time, PAS 24 used to require certified cylinders as a minimum however a standard built (modern 1 star) Euro cylinder could be used as the handles or escutcheons gave the cylinder adequate protection against snapping. There were no cylinders that offered protection against snapping outside of a PAS 24 door set.
In 2009/10, a worrying criminal trend began to show its face in certain parts of the country and cylinder snapping began to become a serious issue. This led Sold Secure to develop a brand new test specification called SS 312 Specification for Cylinders for Locks which was the first ever UK upgrade for high security cylinders for doors. This enabled locksmiths to offer a serious security upgrade to any door and was a quick fix to an immediate problem. It was not feasible to expect everyone to replace their door to a PAS 24 door overnight.
SS 312 has now been referenced in the latest version of PAS 24 along with SS 301 Specification for Mechanical Security Systems for Domestic Buildings. You can choose a SS 312 Diamond cylinder that needs no protection from a security handle or escutcheon or a SS 312 Gold cylinder supported by a SS 301 Bronze security handle or escutcheon. The reference can be found in
4 Enhanced Security Requirements
4.1.2 Doorsets
- c) a cylinder meeting the requirements of Sold Secure SS 312: 2019 with a Diamond rating; or
- f) a cylinder meeting the requirements of Sold Secure SS 312: 2019 with a Gold rating, plus a handle or escutcheon protecting the cylinder meeting the requirements of Sold Secure SS 301; 2015 with a minimum Bronze rating.
This means that SS312 and SS 301 certified products can now be used as well as TS 007 products to meet the requirements of PAS 24 and therefore meet legal requirements of approved document Q. Both SS 312 and SS 301 are also referenced in the Bibliography under Other publications on page 92.
This is the first ever time that Sold Secure specifications have been referenced in a standard used to meet legal requirements and proves the credibility of the independent test lab and the vital work it does in helping to reduce crime.
Other upgrades to PAS 24 means that the General Vulnerability Assessment of PAS 24 is now in line with latest version of BS 3621 as an upgrade to the GVA of BS 3621 made the PAS 24 GVA slightly out of line but this is now harmonised.
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