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Neighbourhood Watch Choose Finesse. - 28/07/2006

"Every week 1000's of homeowners across the UK order and install new PVCu windows and doors or build a beautiful conservatory without insisting that they have the best possible security designed into them" say S.C.A.N.

There are some simple standards that the window industry should work to, recognised by Government through FENSA, these standards however only cover safety in terms of design for glazing, escape in case of a fire and energy saving. The security issue has been left totally to the discretion of the homeowner and the suppliers; it is this area that is of the biggest concern. Poor locks and hinge systems, little if any reinforcement, fasteners screwed into a few millimetres of PVCu and glass that can be easily taken out or broken to gain easy entry.

S.C.A.N selected to speak to David Bown, director of Finesse Windows of Kings Norton, about this problem, Finesse have been manufacturing windows, doors and conservatories in Birmingham for over 25 years. Why Finesse? Very simply, when asked, more Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators recommended Finesse to the Neighbourhood Watch Home Services than any other company in the West Midlands . “I find it almost impossible to understand why so many homeowners don't take the opportunity to design security into their homes when they install new windows and doors or build a conservatory” said David. He continued “I know in many cases it depends on the advice they are given, or indeed if the supplier actually has the facilities to provide a security specified product, products for example that have been laboratory tested to BS7950:1997 and incorporate systems that meet the Police Security by Design criteria.”

What is critical to achieve Premium Security in PVCu Windows & Doors?

1. Steel multi-point shoot bolt locking mechanism certified by the manufacturer as ‘Secured by Design,' the anti-crime initiative overseen by the Association of Chief Police Officers, who's principal policy is to design out crime .
2. To resist jemmy attack, hi-specification 3 mm thick stainless steel friction stay hinges should be installed, (1.5mm thick is quite common and these bend easily), the stay arm extension should locate securely into the head of the hinge behind a steel pin and the head of the hinge should be screw fixed in two planes .
3. All hardware, both lock keeps and hinges, must be directly secured into the frames steel reinforcing (many PVCu windows are not fully steel reinforced). Failure to secure hardware into steel compromises the screw fixings ability to hold under jemmy or crowbar attack.
4. Handles that operate the locking mechanism should self locate, lock when closed, and should have a further facility to be key dead locked.
5. The inherent strength of PVCu windows is considerably enhanced by the maximum use of steel reinforcing . It is well known in the industry that mullions and transoms should be fully reinforced, not only to receive hardware fixings but equally important to resist deflection. The strength is further improved by fitting full length reinforcing wherever possible. For example, on a crucifix joint it is possible to use a full length of steel inside the mullion and two further lengths, one in each transom. (It is more common to cut the steel into four pieces to ease fabrication, two similar lengths for the transoms but two smaller lengths for the mullion. This in effect omits the reinforcing within the critical four way cruisifix welded joint)
6. The manner in which the glass is secured into the frames is probably the most overlooked item on the security checklist. It is an absolute must to ensure that windows are internally glazed . If the window is externally glazed, by definition the glass can be removed externally. This is an open invitation for a thief to flick out, relatively quietly, the glazing beads and clips to remove the glass and climb in.
7. Glass of course can be broken, though correctly manufactured double-glazed sealed units using two sheets of 4mm float glass are considerably more difficult to break than a single pane of glass. You can however choose from two further options: - Toughened glass and Laminated glass , both with different qualities. Toughened glass is ten times stronger than float glass but once broken shatters into thousands of pieces leaving access to your home. Laminated glass is as easy to break as ordinary float glass but it has a central layer of strong polythene, which holds the broken glass together preventing access. Doors, and windows adjacent to doors, should always be safety glazed as should low level glazing- glass below 800mm. It is very important that the types of glass being installed are discussed in detail as they relate to both security and safety.
8. Residential doors and patio doors particularly at the back of the house are high-risk areas. Both the frame and the door must be totally reinforced; this reinforcing, as with windows, provides rigidity to resist attack as well as a firm anchor for all screw fixings.
9. Multi point shoot bolt and hook bolts should be installed and extreme care should be taken to ensure you choose the highest standard of lockset. One piece reinforcing is important at the centre of the door and where glass or panelled units are used they must be packed extremely tightly.
10. It's imperative the key cylinder should be both drill proof and has a multi snap function. To identify these cylinders you should confirm that if tampered with the barrel will not snap in the centre and that after attack you are still able to use your key.
11. Keys should have a pin controlled number copy system, a pin card without which copies cannot be made.
12. If you are considering the purchase of a conservatory, make sure you insist on the same standards. If the security of a conservatory is breached and a thief is inside it's an ideal opportunity for them to work away confidently at the window or door between the conservatory and your home, hidden away and without being heard. You should insist also that your conservatory is built to the new Government code of practice.

If you would like to learn more about the security standards detailed in this article please call David Bown at Finesse Windows Ltd on 0121-433-3027, or visit the Finesse web site on www.finesse-windows.co.uk.