Clearview National March 2019 - Issue 208 | Page 44

PROUD SPONSOR OF DOORS & WINDOWS
DOORS&WINDOWS
Safe and secure thanks to the new
generation of entrance doors
» » ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CRIME
Survey for England & Wales, there were
650,000 domestic burglary incidents in the
UK from March 2016 - 2017*, equating to
two in 100 households being victim to theft.
Here David O’Mara, Marketing Manager at
Hörmann UK, explores the latest technologies
being adopted by manufacturers to provide
the highest quality and most secure entrance
doors.
It’s common knowledge a home with no
safety measures is five times more likely to be
broken in to than those with security measures
in place, with windows and doors posing the
highest risk due to being a central point of
entry. This has prompted an industry shift
within the sector, with manufacturers focusing
on the development of highly sophisticated
entrance doors that offer the greatest levels of
security at an affordable price.
Below I explore some of the latest
technologies installers and fabricators should
be recommending to potential and existing
customers in order to provide the highest levels
of security and safety, without compromising
on quality or aesthetics. These solutions also
enable professionals to get one step ahead of
the competition, with the opportunity to cross
sell to corresponding product ranges including
garage doors and sectional glazing systems.
As you know, entrance doors must comply
with the burglary resistance as outlined in
European Performance EN 1627. Whilst
many manufacturers will offer solutions that
offer security in line with Resistance Class 2,
professionals should look to take this a step
further by providing their customers with
solutions that are compliant with Resistance
Class 3, or even Resistance Class 4, such as
Hörmann’s latest offering of entrance doors.
For Resistance Class 3, five-point locking
should be offered as standard, with the option
of nine-point locking on some Resistance
Class 3 and all Resistance Class 4 models. The
addition of multipoint locking within the door’s
construction enables the hinge side to also be
protected against forced opening, for additional
peace of mind and security.
Entrance doors should also be resistant
to typical tools such as screwdrivers, pliers,
crowbars and wedge, as these are most
commonly used by burglars. Nine-point
locking should feature the addition of five steel
swing bolts and four bolt locks that pivot into
the stainless steel lock plates, protecting the
door with a single turn of the key.
Impact resistance should also be considered,
with some of the latest aluminium entrance
doors available on the market, such as
Hörmann’s ThermoCarbon range featuring
high-tech leaf profiles constructed of carbon
glass-fibre hybrid materials. This offers an
impressive degree of rigidity and resistance to
impact for increased security.
Tamper-proof profile cylinders, in
accordance with EN 1303, play a pivotal
role in improving the overall security of
the entrance door, with latest technologies
offering anti-picking systems, drill protection
and an emergency function. This enables the
door lock to still be operated when a key is
inserted on the inside and can be supported
by the addition of security rose escutcheon
and continuous stainless steel closing strips for
secure locking at all times.
Whilst glazing has traditionally been one of
the most common points of entry due to its
easy shattering, the introduction of laminated
safety glass featured on both the interior and
exterior of glazing panels for entrance doors
provides maximum security. In the event of
breakage, the glass splinters are bound to and
adhered to the interior plastic film, making it
harder to break through the property.
For additional levels of security, automatic
lock variants are also growing in popularity, with
fingerprint, code or radio options providing
additional security and more convenient
operation. Latest fingerprint scanners recognise
up to 100 fingerprints and can be installed
without a computer for ease of installation,
whilst automatic lock codes are a popular option
for those wanting greater security.
Hörmann’s unique BiSecur automatic
locking system features an optional hand
transmitter or radio switch, which prevents
all unauthorised individuals from copying the
radio signals and can be managed via a phone
app for remote monitoring.
As security continues to be a leading factor
for customers during the purchasing process of
entrance doors, professionals can go above and
beyond in recommending the highest standard
of products that feature the latest technology,
whilst also offering the greatest visual appeal.
For further information on Hörmann UK’s
aluminium and steel entrance doors, call
01530 516850 or visit:
www.hormann.co.uk/architects/doors
44 » M AR 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M