Jumping the Queue
This October sees the introduction new minimum physical security requirements with the publication of Building Regulation Approved Document Q (ADQ).
From this month, all new homes must meet minimum standards for the attack resistance of doors, windows and roof-lights, which are the most common points for intruder entry.
ADQ lays down guidelines primarily regarding the security of new homes, but also applies to refurbishment and replacement situations arising from a change in use of an existing building. This includes the conversion of commercial premises, warehouses and barns into homes. Buildings within conservation areas are also included within the regulation.
The regulations will apply to any new projects started after 1 October 2015, or for which applications have previously submitted where work does not start until after 1 October 2016.
As a police initiative with over 26 years’ experience in supporting the principles of designing out crime through physical security and processes, Secured by Design (SBD) is already providing support to assist specifiers and developers with ADQ through its approved product licensing scheme.
Member status is awarded to companies producing security products that pass standards and tests nominated by the police service. Under the SBD licensing scheme products must demonstrate the product effectiveness in preventing or resisting crime, including resistance to attack. ‘Police Preferred’ products recognised under the scheme are not only tested and approved to the security standards specified by ADQ - such as PAS 24, STS 202, LPS 1175 and LPS 2081- but crucially must be certificated by independent third-party certification bodies.
Currently the licensing scheme includes thirty categories of security products, including doors, locks, windows, fencing, asset marking, and many more. Offering a reference source for specifiers, the SBD website www.securedbydesign.com gives the relevant accreditation details. All the listed products listed have been tested and certificated to the relevant industry standards; in the case of doors, windows and roof-lights, in some cases not only meeting but exceeding ADQ requirements.
To support developers faced with the additional headache of compliance on a larger scale, SBD has simplified the approvals process still further with the introduction of the SBD National Building Approval (NBA) Scheme. This effectively takes care of all the necessary checks on behalf of the developer by agreeing all aspects of physical security within buildings of a given type before any development or refurbishment scheme is planned or built. NBA Approval lasts for three years and building types or products can be changed at any time.
The NBA certificate issued under the agreement is accepted by Local Authority Building Officers and Approved Inspectors - discharging the requirements of ADQ together with other regulatory standards, as well as obligations placed upon developers by third parties to gain SBD approval. A tiered Awards scheme provides alternative pathways to achieve ADQ compliance according to individual requirements.
In addition to the licensing and approval scheme, SBD also offers further tools to assist with interpreting and applying ADQ guidelines on-line.
Visit http://www.securedbydesign.com/
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Note: Interviews available by request
Visit www.securedbydesign.com, email marketing@acpo-sbd.co.uk or call Edelweiss Arnold on 0207 084 8961
About Secured by Design
Secured by Design (SBD) is a national Police crime prevention initiative which aims to reduce burglary and other crime using the principles of good design and appropriate physical security measures.
SBD was founded in 1989 as a subsidiary of the UK Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) bringing together a national Police network focusing on the design and security for new and refurbished homes, commercial premises and car parks, as well as the acknowledgement of quality security products and crime prevention projects.
SBD works with the design, construction and security sectors to develop security standards for products within the built environment, with the aim of incorporating security features that are ‘designed in’ and ‘invisible’.
Developments and buildings that are given a Secured by Design Award are inspected by specially trained Police staff and consistently achieve large reductions in burglary (up to 75%), criminal damage, auto-crime and antisocial behaviour year-on-year.
There is a national network of about 250 such crime prevention staff who administer Secured by Design across all UK forces. The scheme is nationally managed by a team of 12 staff, with the main office in London but other staff located across the UK.
The organisation has played a key part in the legislative reform of building regulations coming into force in October 2015 and endorses almost 500 suppliers of recognised security products and services throughout the UK.
SBD services:
Free information and advice on safe building design - http://www.securedbydesign.com/industry-advice-and-guides/
Pathways to Part Q compliance,SBD and ADQ - http://www.securedbydesign.com/approved-document-q/
Police preferred specification licensing scheme- http://www.securedbydesign.com/join-secured-by-design/
Developer’s award (National Building Approval) - http://www.securedbydesign.com/national-building-approval/
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