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.
For example, there’s Approved Document Q: Security – Dwellings, also known as Part Q. It was published in March 2015 and took effect from 1 October 2015. By 1 October 2016, all accessible doors and windows supplied to new build properties must comply with Part Q by proving that they are secure on the basis of testing to PAS 24:2012 or 2016 (or other means).
‘Easily accessible’ doors are those that are within 2 metres vertically of an accessible level surface. Easily accessible windows are those that are within 2 metres vertically of a flat or sloping roof (up to 30 degrees) within 3.4 metres of ground level.
Part Q is scheduled for revision in 2018.
If you’d like to learn more about Part Q, or have other questions regarding the security standards set out for doorsets and windows, download our eBook: Specifying ‘Secured by Design’ doorsets and windows; what do the regulations really mean?
