Clearview 278 - January 2025 | Page 66

Hardware & Security

Letterplates should not be forgotten in building regulations requirements

» DOOR HARDWARE manufacturer ARRONE , a HOPPE Group brand , is encouraging door manufacturers to ensure letterplates are not the weak link when it comes to door security .
Approved Document Q of the Building Regulations calls for doors and windows to be able to resist unauthorised access . This includes protection against letterbox fishing . It covers security in new homes and applies to retrofit and refurbishment of existing homes at the time the work was done .
It follows the latest data released in July 2024 from the Crime Survey for England and Wales ( CSEW ), showing that entry via a door occurred in 72 % of reported burglaries
between April 2022 and March 2023 .
Andy Matthews , head of sales at HOPPE ( UK ) says :
“ Homeowners sometimes aren ’ t aware of the role that high-quality door hardware plays in deterring and even preventing certain burglary methods , they often think of the latest technology and other visual deterrents like burglar alarms first .
“ Door sets must now adhere to PAS24:2022 on enhanced security performance for doorsets and windows in the UK , which replaced the old standard in September 2024 . The standard refers to Building Regulations Approved Document Q , which confirms letterplates should have a maximum aperture of 260mm
x 40mm . They should be designed to hinder anyone who attempts to remove keys with sticks or inserts their hand – and located on a doorset in a way that prevents this too . This might be achieved , for example , by incorporating a flap or other features to restrict access .”
Door manufacturers should also check specifications for confirmation that the product has been tested to the Door and Hardware Federation ’ s ( DHF ) technical specification TS 008:2022 , on ‘ Enhanced Security and General Requirements for Letter Plate Assemblies and Slide Through Boxes ’. This has been shown to protect against
letterbox fishing attacks . ARRONE ’ s new AR708HS TS 008:2022 letterplate is tested in accordance with this technical specification . As well as meeting Approved Document Q requirements , it offers protection from key fishing by opportunistic burglars looking to gain entry via a front door .
www . hoppe . com

Hardware with Italian Flair

Hardware specialist , VBH , is experiencing increased sales of tilt and turn hardware thanks to the addition to their range of the ArTech tilt & turn system from respected Italian hardware manufacturer , AGB .
» IN RECENT MONTHS VBH HAS widened the reach of the system by developing profile related parts for a number of new PVCu profile systems , including Profile 22 Optima and Rehau Artevo .
VBH advise that one of the main reasons that they have picked up so much new tilt and turn business with ArTech is the product ’ s impressive anti-corrosion performance .
ArTech is treated with ‘ Activeage Hi-Protection ’ coating that enables the hardware to withstand over 2000 hours of testing in a neutral salt spray environment .
Activeage is a three-stage finish , incorporating layers of zinc , chromic passivation with silica Nano particles , and finally an organic mineral protection coating .
In addition to its impressive weather resistance , VBH advise that another reason tilt and turn manufacturers are embracing ArTech is the system ’ s security performance . Security spec windows have been tested to forces of
5.5KN , nearly double the forces specified in PAS24 . ArTech is covered by ‘ hardware Kitemark ’ KM727991 and is listed as a Police Preferred Specification by Secured by Design .
Dan Powell , Head of Brand at VBH , says : “ ArTech is built to resist the effects of harsh climates , including our wet and salty environment here in the UK . Figures of 2000 hours salt spray test resistance are phenomenal when you consider that the ‘ Very High Resistance ’ top grade of BS EN 1670 equates to 240 hours .
“ Add to that the PAS24 performance of nearly double the forces specified in the standard and you can see why AGB ArTech has become a mainstay of our range in a short period of time .”
www . vbhgb . com
66 JANUARY 2025 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM