Don’t be ‘locked out’ by Doc Q - warning
7th April 2015

Suppliers have been warned that they could be ‘locked out’ of the new-build sector if they don’t get up to speed with the new Building Regs Document Q on minimum security standards for doors and windows.

The warning comes from Sliders UK Managing Director Ian Longbottom who says manufacturers and installers could be ‘sleep-walking’ into the changes and could pay the price of being barred from any new-build work if their products are not tested and proven in accordance with the regs.

He said the changes mean that manufacturers and installers who cannot show the products meet PAS24:2012 or Secured by Design will be ‘locked out’ of the new build market with immediate effect, and he added: “We welcome the new regulations as driving higher standards in home security and increased professionalism within our industry what is less positive is that the industry has been slow to recognise the impact of these changes.

“There are manufacturers and installers who have sleep-walked into change and as something which has the potential to exclude them from the new build sector, the ramifications are huge, unless they now urgently review their supply chain.”

He explained that Approved Document Q of the Second HSR Consultation (now ‘Part Q Security’ of the Building Regulations) states that ‘doorsets should be manufactured to a design which has been shown to meet the requirements of PAS24:2012 or be designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of PAS24 . Doorsets demonstrating compliance with the police ‘Secured by Design initiative will also meet the provisions of this Approved Document.

The amendment to Building Regulations applies immediately but will not be enforced until the autumn.
Ian concluded: “We have always seen security as the critical factor in our product range irrespective of the market they’re in, offering an SBD composite, bi-fold or inline-sliding door, delivers immediate commercial advantage.

“But now there is a real regulatory driver towards PAS24:2012 products and that is going to deliver a step-change in the industry’s approach.”

www.sliders-uk.com