The Secured by Design (SBD) membership and licensing scheme has been created to ‘design out crime’ through physical security in the built environment by adherence to well researched and effective design solutions, innovative and creative product design, coupled with robust manufacturing and performance standards.
Even for an expert with years of experience, understanding the latest Building Regulations can be difficult. That’s why the Secretary of State has approved a series of documents that give practical guidance about how to meet the various requirements.
Trying to understand the Building Regulations can sometimes feel like navigating a maze; everything seems to refer to something else and it’s easy to find yourself going round in circles. For example, Part Q of the building regulations offers practical guidance on how to meet security requirements for new dwellings, and it refers to PAS
If you’re specifying doors or windows, there are a number of regulations and guidelines to consider. For example, there’s BS 6375, a British Standard that provides guidance on the selection of performance characteristics for windows and doorsets intended for the UK market.
‘What are DDA compliant door widths?’ is a question that we’re often asked. It’s important to note that although referred to as ‘DDA compliant’, the Disability Discrimination Act or DDA is no longer in effect. Despite this, DDA compliance is still the way many people refer to accessibility regarding doors.
Approved Document M of the Building Regulations (access to and use of buildings) is often referred to as Part M or ADM, and provides guidance on the design and construction of buildings to ensure access and inclusion for all.
BS 8300 is the code of practice that helps disabled people make the most of their surroundings through architectural design in the built environment.
When specifying doors and associated elements such as openings and ironmongery, it’s clear that the regulations are, well, not very clear.
Offering safe and inclusive access to all buildings is important for ensuring everyone who wants to enter or leave a building can do so. Here in the UK, it’s also required by the Building Regulations Part M and various other standards and regulations. Part M deals with the access to and use of buildings. It
March 2013 saw the introduction of the new EU timber regulations to prevent illegal timber being sold in the European market. Since the implementation of the scheme companies involved in the timber and timber product supply chain must have either, introduced systems to ensure compliance, or ensured that the systems already in use are compliant.