Many issues often occur during the end of a project. The presenting (street) faces of units often have the better finishes, e.g. Smart glazing. The rear doors, which often give access to service areas andwhich take the brunt of the action, may be plain, broken, and rusting steel doors. It is these doors that security rated steel doorsets address.

Doorsets

The term doorset refers to a complete unit of a door including the leaf, frame, and the associated hardware, fittings and hinges, which are combined as a single element. Testing a doorset in a particular security rating simulates an attack on the doorset in its entirety. As such, an attack on a doorset or an attempt to overcome the security features of that doorset may not be successful if the doorset is disassembled and replaced with components of a lesser or different standard. It may also not be successful if the door is modified in any way. Modifications should be done in consultation with the manufacturer.

What rating to ask for

LPS 1175 is the standard used to assess the security of doorsets in the UK. Doorsets tested against this standard have a rating of LPS 1175 Issue 8, where the rating is represented by a letter and a number. For example, a doorset certified LPS 1175 Issue 8, B3 is resistant to attacks by tools in a set represented by the letter B, and will provide a minimum of 3 minutes attack resistance. Some manufactures test their doorsets against standards other than LPS 1175, and it is important that the rating provided on the doorset meets the specification of the end user, e.g. the doorset installer’s client (insurer or specifier).

One example where over-specifying is not prudent is for shop rear doorset. In this instance, a doorset rated to resist attacks by tools in a set represented by the letter B, for a minimum of 3 minutes (i.e. B3 doorset) is commonly specified.doorset

Other functions of a doorset

Rear exits from buildings are also fire escapes and therefore steel doorsets used in these locations need to allow means of egress in case of a fire. This means the doorset must be able to be opened without the use of a key from the egress side. Other doorsets used as fire escapes may also have panic hardware attached. As with other door hardware, security rated doorsets can also have panic hardware, however, if panic hardware is added to a security doorset after the design and testing of the doorset, the doorset may no longer meet the security requirements of the design.

There are specialized door sets for ventilating plant rooms and bin stores. If a door set requires both security and a fire rating, ensure the certifications are for the same door set. Some door sets are designed for both. The majority are not and a quote for a door set with both ratings does not always mean that one door set is provided with both features.

There are modular options for integrating features such as vision panels, hold open devices and access control. These need to be specified at the design stage.

There are a number of features to look for when assessing the security of a door set. Not all of these are readily visible. However, a number of features can easily be identified by a person not specializing in security. These include the presence of hinge bolts or dog bolts, multiple points of locking, and the presence of an anti-jemmy device along the edge of the door. In order to see these features, a person needs to inspect the door prior to it being painted.

Loss of performance is expected.

Steel doorsets are only as strong as the wall they are attached to. Steel frames have to be fixed to the wall at the spacings given by the manufacturer. If a doorframe is attached to failing blockwork and filled with timber and foam, the door will not perform to its rated characteristics. Make sure to verify who installs the doors to ensure they are certified by the door manufacturer and receive a certification report. Insurance companies are requesting this report more frequently.

Things to consider before ordering

Security doors are often modified to the client’s specifications and may take several weeks to produce. Make sure to measure the real opening (not the existing frame) to account for a misaligned or badly damaged frame and lintel. Let the manufacturer and installer know what rating you need, what doorset you have selected and verify the doorset’s performance attributes with the LPCB Red Book.