Bk Security Services

Most companies will describe the benefits of their product. We’re more interested in your requirements. What is the function of the opening? What is the threat? Can the Local Authority enforce any restrictions?

The information on this page will provide an overview of security shutters, grilles and doors and provide more detail in specific product areas.

Roller shutters provide the highest level of security andcan be manufactured to provide a degree of privacy. This type of shutter can be used to conceal unsightly displays and equipment. A fully closed shutter can give the appearance of a deserted street.

The use of a grille provides an open, latticed, barrier. A grille will not provide protection against a physical attack. A determined person will be able to gain access through the grille, or behind it. A grille is less obtrusive than a shutter and is commonly used in Town Centre Environments.

A security door is required for employees to use repeatedly, such as for a back exit, stock room or a delivery/service door. A doorset is a complete door and frame unit. Steel doorsets are very heavy and if installed in a timber frame, that frame is potentially being wasted.

The same security questions are regarding windows and doors to the house and are on our home security questionnaire.

Ratings

LPS 1175 is the security rating for doors, windows and shutters. It is conducted by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB). In LPS 1175 issue 8 and onwards, the rating consists of a letter from A to H representing the tool set and number of attackers used in the test, and a number representing the minimum duration for which the test was done. A rating of A1 represents a tool set of hand tools and a single person, and a test duration of 1 minute. Similarly, a rating of B3 represents a tool set and a duration of 3 minutes. A rating of C5 represents a wide tool set and a duration of 5 minutes. The tool set can include power tools. Older brochures of the manufacturer may refer to the old SR ratings. Then, A1 would represent a tool set and duration of 1 minute, like B3 and C5.

In general, ratings of A1 and B3 are used for houses and lower risk public/commercial premises and ratings of C5 and above are used for higher risk public/commercial premises.

Two things people often get wrong. A bigger number doesn’t mean a better security shutter. An A20 shutter can only protect against an attack up to 20 seconds in length, whereas a D5 shutter can protect against an attack up to 24 hours in length. Also, security shutters cannot be considered “built to standard” unless they have been independently tested and certified to the standard. Therefore, if a shutter is only stated to have been built to a particular standard, the end user should ask for the test report and check the shutter against the information provided on the LPCB’s “Red Book” website. Also, check what your insurance company states is an acceptable security measure before you purchase security shutters. It is less expensive to purchase the correct security shutter the first time.

Planning Permission

This is often the part of the security shutter project that catches people out the most, and is often discovered after the shutters have been installed. Security shutters that close off the opening of a shop from the exterior are usually classified as a change of use to the building, and therefore require Planning Permission. Interior shutters that are installed behind the shop glass usually do not require Planning Permission. Listed buildings usually require Planning Permission and Building Regulations Permission for all work, including internal work. Conservation Areas usually impose strict controls and restrictions on what kind of security shutters can be installed. Each local authority usually has different and stricter policies regarding security shutters. The best place to find a local authority’s policies is usually on their website, and often requires a Freedom of Information request to be made in order to access it. If you are considering security shutters for your shop, check your local authority’s website first. If an installer states that Planning Permission will not be required, have the installer send you a signed letter stating this.

The majority of commercial shutters have been motorised. Consequently, there are additional requirements to provide machinery safety and testing upon installation. These include provision of safety devices, a functional tests and a Declaration of Conformity. BS EN 13241 provides the safety of powered doors during manufacture and BS EN 12453 addresses the same during use.

The paperwork is critical. Without it, there is no documentation to show the shutter was installed in a safe manner. Consequently, injuries that may occur with an installed shutter become the responsibility of the customer.

There are many factors that affect the life of an powered shutter. These include cycle times, guide and motor obstructions, shutter curtain weight and balance, and regular shutter maintenance. A shutter that operates many times a day (i.e. a curtain wall shutter) has different design requirements than a shutter that only operates a few times a month (i.e. a door shutter).

The reason retrofitting can be challenging is because contractors must work with what already exists. Soft timber frames offer little to no support to attach new elements. Brick and block work vary in their ability to accept new elements. Finding an appropriate location to mount the shutter box can be difficult, and may require significant effort and evaluation to determine a suitable location, particularly on residential locations. For example, on a house where all of the windows are above the lintels, there is little to no clear space to conceal shutters. If a survey does not locate an appropriate site for shutter concealment, a price can not be given for the fit.