SCREENS | NEWS
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SECURITY SCREENS
Window screens and screen doors are common features of construction in most parts of Australia. They allow the circulation of air in hot weather whilst preventing insects from entering a premises. However effective they are in keeping insects out, fly screens offer very little security and can be easily broken through.
Security screen doors and window grilles on the other hand are strong enough to withstand most attempts at forced entry while retaining the advantages of flyscreens. They can also be installed on all types of windows and doors, including hinged, bifold and sliding.
As an extremely popular home security option, security screen doors and window grilles also provide protection in other areas, such as bushfire, falls, emergency escape and cyclone debris, and can improve the energy efficiency of a home through shading.
But, how do you know if your window and door screens are an authentic security product?
Australian Standards( AS) cover the security aspect of these products and must be followed when supplying a legitimate security door or screen product.
WHAT ARE THE STANDARDS?
There are three standards that need to be met for security products:
• AS 5039: Security screen doors and security window grilles
• AS 5040: Installation of security screen doors and window grilles
• AS 5041: Methods of test- Security screen doors and window grilles
AS 5039: Security screen doors and security window grilles was developed to provide both the industry and consumers with specifications covering the general requirements and performance of these products.
This Standard specifies the minimum requirements for the performance of all types of hinged and sliding security screen doors and hinged, sliding, removable and fixed security window grilles used primarily in residential situations.
It is concerned mainly with resistance to forced entry and does not address the important issues relating to egress in the case of emergency. The Standard covers movable and removable security window grilles that can be used in such instances.
AS 5039 is intended for use by regulatory authorities and all persons concerned with the manufacture, installation and general requirements of security screen doors or window grilles and gives protection to consumers.
For products to conform to this Standard, they must be tested by an accredited laboratory in accordance with AS 5041: Methods of test- Security screen doors and window grilles.
The tests include:
• Dynamic Impact Test
• Jemmy Test
• Pull Test
• Probe Test
• Shear Test
• Knife Shear Test
AS 5040: Installation of security screen doors and window grilles provides installers of security screen doors or window grilles with specifications covering the general requirements for installation of security screen doors or window grilles used primarily in residential situations. If a product is not installed correctly then it will not be secure.
ALTERNATIVE USES OF SECURITY SCREEN PRODUCTS
Security screen products can be effectively used for purposes other than security. These include:
EMERGENCY ESCAPE
When security screens are installed, it is important to remember that windows may
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01 Dynamic Impact Test. 02 Jemmy Test. 03 Knife Shear Test. 04 NSSA Compliance Label for security doors. 05 NSSA Compliance Label for security window screens. 06 Example of an NSSA Certificate of Audit
Compliance.
58 Summer 2017