Member Article

IronmongeryDirect guides tradespeople through new regulations with new home security checklist

Following the launch of new door and window security regulations, IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products to the trade, has created a new home security checklist to help trade professionals ensure all new windows and doors are installed with the correct ironmongery and meet the new security requirements.

After coming into effect on 1st October 2015, at the start of National Home Security Month, Approved Document Q is a new regulation which sets out requirements to ensure that all newly installed windows and doors are able to withstand physical attacks from casual or opportunistic burglars. The introduction of the regulations will ensure that all new windows and doors comply with recognised standards and will therefore deliver the highest levels of security.

To ensure trade professionals are up to speed as soon as the new regulations come into effect, IronmongeryDirect developed the handy checklist to inform tradespeople on everything they need to know when installing a new door or window so that it complies with the new guidelines.

The simple and easy-to-use checklist contains an annotated illustration of a front door to highlight all of the ironmongery components covered by the regulations, from hinges and multipoint locking systems to door viewers, letterboxes and door frames. It details the requirements for each component, including the standards they must comply with and the minimum and maximum sizes.

It also includes in-depth information on door sets to clearly outline how the requirements must be met, making it easier for tradespeople to adhere to the regulations.

In addition, the checklist also outlines the regulations that must be complied with when installing new windows. This includes ensuring that all windows meet PAS 24:2012 and that the frames are mechanically fixed to the building.

As building regulations can often contain jargon that is hard to understand, the checklist also features a handy ‘jargon buster’. This explains key terminology in a simple way so that the regulations are easier to understand and tradespeople are clear on exactly what is required when it comes to fitting new windows and doors.

Jamie Johnson, product manager at IronmongeryDirect, said: “With 62% of burglaries taking place atnight, it is important to ensure that homes are properly secure, particularly in winter when it gets dark quicker. Keeping a home safe is of the utmost importance to all home owners, and as windows and doors are the two main entrance points into a property, these should require the most attention.

“With Approved Document Q due to come into force, it has become even more vital to ensure that new windows are doors are up to scratch and are able to prevent intruders from forcing entry into the property. To help tradespeople understand the new regulations, IronmongeryDirect has put together the easy to use checklist, which highlights all the correct components that new doors are required to have to make them compliant and legal.

“The handy guide has been designed to make the task of installing doors and windows more simple, and can be used for quick reference whilst tradespeople are completing work on a property. We are dedicated to supporting our customers and the trade industry and by putting together informative checklists such as this one, we are able to offer sound advice and make their job a little easier.”

For more information, please visit www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/home-security

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ursula Hutchinson .