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Décor Grille leads into the next decade with its new Security Web Site
2010 marks the launch of Décor Grille’s new “Security Direct” web site. Much more comprehensive information, many more products in an ever expanding market but “simplified buying for the customer,” was the brief given to Décor Grille’s in house web designers.
Customer’s requirements are catered for across probably the largest “Physical Security” product range from Door Security, Window Security, Security Grilles, through Roller Shutters, to protection of portable items such as Computers, Laptops and Servers and even Garden Shed security.
The one stop shop is there in one very simple and easy to use web site.
For Professional’s requiring technical information and installation guidance, dimensions etc, the prospective buyer has the facility of looking at all this through a series of illustrated buttons on the web page. If your proficiency on websites is as a beginner then Security Directs unique pictorial gallery is an easy way to select the right product to suit your particular needs and site requirements.
Pricing guides have not been forgotten either, each page has an easy to use pricing matrix covering the products selected on view. The new website has made choosing the right products and information so very easy and as they say; product selection is now only a very simple click away.
What is LPC or Loss Prevention Council Approved??
The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), is an independent third-party approvals body. Though LPCB’s links with the Association of British Insurers (ABI, insurance industry professionals frequently refer to LPCB approval schemes or specify the use of LPCB-approved products. The LPCB is now owned by the Foundation for the Built Environment and retains links with UK insurers.
General advice from insurers on protecting premises is to use “layered security”. This ensures good measures of physical security, both externally and internally, backed-up by appropriate electronic security. An excellent start when it comes to physical security is the use of products approved by the LPCB to LPS 1175. The standard LPS 1175:”Specification for testing and classifying the burglary resistance of building components, strongpoints and security encloses” covers several types of device and has six levels of security.
The purpose of the different levels is to:-
- Simulate various degrees of attack, from the opportunist burglar to break-in attempts by “professionals”, possibly working in teams, and-
- To provide clear security ratings to enable specifiers, consultants etc. to select products that will provide the level of protection required for an individual application.
LPCB approval schemes are all written in conjunction with insurers, professionals from the relevant industries, some trade bodies, end-users and, on occasion, government and police representatives. This process ensures that no one industry or commercial interest can predominate. Specifiers can be assured that products and services listed by the LPCB have reached nationally or internationally recognised standards of performance and reliability.
Currently, products approved to LPS (Loss Prevention Standard) 1175 by the LPCB include roller shutters, security gates, doors and utility access covers but it can also be applied to turnstiles, vents, windows and temporary buildings.
To qualify for the coveted LPS 1175 Security Rating Classification from the Loss Prevention Certification Board. Security Gates, Shutters and other physical products have undergone a series of tests which are both comprehensive and practical.
The stringent testing procedures operated by the LPCB demonstrate the care taken by the industry to ensure that products which successfully gain the certification at the different levels offer genuine protection to the purchasers.
They represent extreme conditions with an ideal scenario for the thief which would rarely be duplicated in the outside world. There are also a number of other factors which would have a bearing on the effectiveness of any would-be assailant.
Using a Combination of Tool
The LPCB engineers can use a number of tools in combination during testing, which may prove the mechanical advantage of individual tools. They are operating in well-lit, dry, warm and comparatively comfortable conditions unlike the dark, possibly wet, cold and windy environment which could be the scenario for a burglar and would-be thief.
Every Opportunity to Discover Any Weak Spots
The stringent testing have the opportunity to study the detailed technical drawings and design documents for months in advance. They then spend up to a week examining the items to be tested, in addition to refining their techniques for attacking the gate or shutter through a series of preliminary tests carried out on an identical item. By the time they launch their final assault they know the item as well as the company which made it or the installer who fitted it, and are guaranteed to find any flaws in design or manufacture.
Experienced Engineering Background
The test is carried out by two experienced engineers with a detailed knowledge of manufacturing and fabrication, so they can be relied upon to use the range of attack tools to maximum effect.
Time to Take Breather
Even within a comparatively limited time span, the testers can take turns in attacking the gate to ensure that the assault is unrelenting and highly concentrated. They can stop the clock for a rest, then set it running when refreshed to continue the attack.
No Looking Over your Shoulder
The testers do not concern themselves with carrying the tools to the target point of entry, or anticipate having to flee with those tools if they are discovered. Moreover the risk element is missing- the tester can be secure in is attack on the gate and does not have to perpetually keep on looking over his shoulder.
Prior to the “manual intervention attacks” products are subjected to “static load tests” to highlight an structural flaws in a product’s design. Moreover a 30kg weight suspended on a pendulum is swung against the product. This “soft body impact test” is designed to simulate shoulder blows and kicking.
Failure or success in the test is determined by the capacity to pass a test block through the barrier after a successful attack, to simulate a person gaining entry to premises. The block as an elliptical cross section (400mm major axis by 225mm minor axis), and is at least 300mm long.)
No Broken Glass
The genuine burglar would almost certainly be attacking a security gate through broken glass, since they are primarily fitted internally.
What is Secured By Design??
Secured by design is one of the new approaches in the fight against crime. It is a national scheme, operating throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The need for ’secured by design’ is as a result of our changing society. Communities themselves are changing and need to be kept safe and to feel safe.
Secured by Design is a partnership between the police, local authorities, businesses and local residents ‘pulled’ together by central government. In fact, it is implicit upon the police in line with the Crime and disorder act 1998 to work together with the above associations to produce a safer environment. There are three strategies within this partnership.
1. To reduce criminal opportunities by achieving better protection.
2. Increase the risk of detection using such tools as DNA and CCTV systems.
3. Increase the risk of apprehension.
The police are working with the local authorities and architects to ensure developments are to ‘ secured by design’ standards. The police are promoting the adoption or ’secured by design’ standards with the unitary development authorities and research shows that Secured by design development authorities, and research shows that ‘Secured by design’ developments suffer lower levels of crime compared with non-’Secured by Design’ sites in similar and comparable areas, together with a reduction in the fear of crime. There has been little indication of displacement.
In future, the ‘Secured by Design’ principles should be expanded to achieve more partnerships and create a greater focus on designing environments in conjunction with architects.
ACPO CPI is funded by licensed companies who meet the laid down standards and whose products are accredited by SBD.
Decor-Grille Security of Leeds was the first company supplying as installing Grilles and Shutters to receive Accreditation be ‘Secured by Design’
Decor-Grill Security and the Built in Shutter Company have been working closely with the Police over the last 10 years to “Secure” properties properly, applying the risk assessment approach. We operate a full design service together with professional Installation Teams who ensure that the products are installed to provide the best possible security levels.
With one of the largest ranges of Grilles, Shutters and other physical Security products means that we can offer a real choice, to enable our clients to choose the right product for them to fit in with the risks and budgets of a particular situation.
This is achievable because we grade all of our products from Low up to High Security, with High Security being LPC or Loss Prevention Council Approved.
It is the LPC approved products that we have to install to qualify for ‘Secured by Design’ status.
Secured By Design Certificate
Prickly Plants for Security
Decor Grille Security offer a large if Prickly Plants which can be used for security. No problems with planning persmission or maintenance and is very cost effective compared with roller shutters.
We have a range of plants varying in heights, pricklyness and ideal conditions. For futher information see our Prickly Plant range.
Fitting Security Internally vs Externally
Fitting Security Grilles or Shutters
Internally or Externally
On the continent they fit Security Grilles and Shutters externally; this is usually for Shading and Ventilation reasons.
In this country the Police and Insurance companies recommend that grilles are fitted internally. The reasons for this are;
| |
Fitted Internally |
Fitted Externally |
| Physical Attack |
The thief would have to break the glass and then break through the grille, while the alarm is sounding. |
The grille can be attacked all day without anyone knowing about it. |
| Fixings |
The fixings are concealed within the grille, so it would be very difficult to undo the fixing through broken glass and with a door/window frame in the way. |
The fixings are fully exposed, even if security fixings are used the bricks that hold the fixings, can easily be broken. |
| Product Life |
As the grille is fitted internally the product is not going to subject to weathering and corrosion. |
Even if the grille is Fully Hot Dipped Galvanised and Powder Coated, it is vulnerable to getting chipped and rusting, which reduce the life of the product. |
| Ease of Use |
The grilles fitted internally require the minimum amount of maintenance and can be easily operated from inside. |
Grilles fitted externally, require regular maintenance and sometimes have to be operated from the outside, which could mean going out in the dark and wet conditions. |
Roller Shutters are usually fitted externally; this is usually because they are used for Vandalism as well as security. To achieve a Maximum Level of Security we would always advise fitting them internally.
Security Measures & Fire Safety
INTRODUCTION
There are occasions where added security is required to prevent unauthorised entry to premises and this is often achieved by the provision of security doors and window shutters. Whilst this Authority is sympathetic towards individuals and companies wishing to improve security measures, the need to maintain means of escape in case of fire should not be overlooked. It is also sometimes necessary for fire-fighters to gain access into premises in an emergency and some security measures can add significantly to the time that this takes, resulting in increased danger to both life and property from fire. The following guidance is therefore considered appropriate.
The Fire & Rescue Authority has no statutory powers to enforce the under-mentioned standards in domestic premises occupied as a private dwelling which is not used in common by the occupants of more than one such dwelling. The final decision on the installation and type of doors, gates or grilles must, therefore, rest with the local authority, private landlord or owner/occupier. The provision of suitable means of escape can be enforced by the Fire & Rescue Authority in premises where the escape route is shared by more than one family.
Standards are necessary so that the Fire and Rescue Service will not be unreasonably hindered in its job of rescuing trapped occupants or fighting fires. Householders must consider the possible dangers of entrapment that extra security devices can create.
In this Note the terms ’security doors’ and ’security gates’ refer to purpose-made products, sold and supplied as such, usually comprising an integral door and frame assembly, but the same applies to domestic doors/gates which have been upgraded to create similar standards.
SECURITY DOORS/SHUTTERS
Where doors/shutters are installed the complete fastening mechanism should comprise of a single device operated manually from the premises side of the door/shutter which is an integral part of the fastening mechanism.
Removable keys, electronic pass cards or digital key pads should not be used.
No part of the fastening mechanism or operating control device which is permanently attached to the fastening mechanism should be constructed from plastic, wood or other materials which are combustible or have a melting point below 800oC.
EMERGENCY ACCESS
When anyone is inside the premises, it should be possible for the Fire and Rescue Service to affect an entry without undue delay using hand-held rescue equipment. The breaching should be sufficient to allow the manipulation of the internal operating device of the fastening mechanism manually from a position on the outside or public side of the door/shutter. To this end the structure should be free from reinforcement, bracing, locking bars or other construction that would impede the breaching of the door at a point adjacent to the locking mechanism.
Where in cavity doors the space between two skins is filled with insulation material, the material should be of a type which will not present a hazard once exposed and which will not clog or impede the blade or tool of the rescue device in use. Where it would be necessary to remove part of the insulation material to expose the inner skin of a cavity door (in order that the hole be cut), the insulation material at the most likely point for the hole to be cut should be easily removable by hand.
The principles for security gate fittings should be similar to those used with security doors. Generally they should be easily opened from the inside without the need to search for a key. It should also be possible to breach the gate without delay by using hand held equipment.
Security doors and security gates should not be installed together at the same access point to the premises. Therefore, no more than one security door or gate should need to be breached to gain access to any dwelling.
Where there is concern that a proposed security device will cause an excessive delay to the Fire and Rescue Service when affecting an entry, details of the premises and the proposals should be passed to your local fire station before installation.
WINDOW SECURITY GRILLES
Non-openable external/internal grilles should not be fitted to the windows of premises that have security doors/gates to the main entrance.
All window grilles should have openable area of sufficient dimensions to facilitate escape for the occupiers in the event of any emergency (see below).
All grilles should be easily opened from the inside without the need to search for a key.
ROLLER SHUTTERS/SECONDARY STEEL DOORS
Roller shutters and secondary steel doors are not recommended as a means of security other than when premises are unoccupied. Where these have been installed on unoccupied dwellings they should be removed before any future occupancy is allowed.
DOUBLE GLAZING (FIXED OR SECONDARY)
When fitting double-glazing the following advice from Approved Document B (Section 2) of the Building Regulations 2000 should be followed
“Except for kitchens, all habitable rooms in the upper storey(s) of a house served by only one stair should be provided with an openable window (or external door). A window should have an unobstructed openable area that is at least 0.33m2 and at least 450mm high and 450mm wide (the route through the window may be at an angle rather than straight through). The bottom of the openable area should be not more than 1100mm above the floor. The window(s) concerned should be opened from the inside without the need to search for a key.
SMOKE ALARMS
In all instances where any of the above security measures are taken it is most strongly recommended that smoke alarms be fitted within the premises.
The smoke alarms should be so arranged as to be audible in all rooms of the dwelling and of sufficient audibility to raise occupants from their sleep. It may be wise to fit the type of alarms that can be linked together so that the activation of any one unit activates all the others in the premises.
Smoke alarms for individual dwellings should comply with BS 5446: Part 1. Smoke alarms for larger premises should be installed as part of a fire alarm and detection system complying with BS 5839.
For further Public Advice leaflets from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service visit:
http://staging.westyorksfire.gov.uk/fireSafety/fsa_publicAdvice.htm
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
Fire Safety Group Oakroyd Hall, Birkenshaw,
West Yorkshire
BD11 2DY
Tel: 01274 682311
Fax: 01274 655888
Fixing Security Grilles and Shutters
With over 18 year’s experience of fitting Security Grilles and Roller Shutters, we can provide expert advice on the best ways of securing your product.
When surveying for a Grille/Shutter bear in mind that what you are fitting the product into, as the product is only as secure as the fixings!!
We would always advise on fitting into Masonry and Recess Fix the product rather than Surface Fix as this gives a stronger fixing. We appreciate that this is not always possible and an alternative fixing is required. Please ring our technical team for further advice.
Décor Grille Security provides masonry fixings for all our Grilles and Shutters FREE OF CHARGE with every order. The FREE fixing pack includes the Screws, Wall Plugs, Masonry Drill Bit and Screwdriver Bit.
Security Screws are available but we don’t use them when fitting a grille or shutter internally. The problem with security screws are they are generally a lot more expensive and they are not all that secure as the majority of the security heads are readily available at your local DIY store. We tend to spoil the heads of the screws by either drilling them out or filling the heads with Araldite.
LPC Tested Security Grilles and Shutters have specific fixing methods. This includes the number of fixings, type and size of fixings subject to what the product is being fixed into. Also the fixings MUST be spoiled either by drilling out or filling the heads with Araldite. All these requirements must be followed to ensure the product can be certificated to LPC standards.
Security Grilles vs Burglar Alarms
Most people have a Burglar Alarm fitted and believe that it provides a sufficient deterrent to thieves. Unfortunately this is not the case, I would say that nearly 90% of the burglaries I have attended has had a Burglar Alarm fitted.
The problem is that people ignore burglar alarms, because of the frequency of false alarms. The Police no longer accept direct alarm call outs, they go through a monitoring company, who usually won’t respond unless they get two forms of activation.
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