Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

Your industry news - first

We strongly recommend viewing Locks and Security News full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor

I’d like to thank the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF), Secured by Design (SBD), Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and BSI for listening to some of the concerns we raised about the TS007 Kitemark security standard for replacement cylinders and associated security furniture.

We’re pleased the testing method has been revised to make it more robust, and that locks and cylinders will now have to be tested on both PVC-U and timber doors.

I understand the need to launch a new Kitemark soon: Police and politicians need to show the public that they have listened to their concerns for security. But the revisions still don’t address the key points.

At its core, the star rating system is confusing and the opportunity for mis-selling is great. Who is going to police the standard and ensure the correct combination of products is installed? The onus shouldn’t be on consumers to check that the cylinder has the new Kitemark, and if it is used in combination with additional security measures, meets the required three star rating.

Secondly, the new standard may suit window fabricators making new doors but it is hopeless for the retrofit market where the problem lies. New doors are well covered by PAS024. However, locksmiths and installers are asked to retrofit cylinders to improve the security of existing doors. Each installation requires a different approach and the locksmith or installer carrying out the work won’t know what type of door is in place or what locks, cylinders or security handles are on it. So they need individual cylinders that can to do the job on their own whatever the installation, and not ones that need to be shielded by additional security handles and guards.

If the threat of burglary is to be reduced through security measures then we need to introduce quickly a simplified, well targeted standard to supersede TS007, one that is more appropriate to the retrofit market, and one that is easier to sell and to police.

Yours sincerely

Steve Stewart

Managing Director

ABS Secure

13th April 2011