What to Look for When Specifying Security Steel Door Sets for a Commercial Building

Why Doors Are the First Line of Defence

Commercial buildings rely heavily on their doors. From offices, to warehouses and retail, each needs entrance ways that keep the premises secure when unoccupied, but that also easily accommodate staff and delivery access and provide for the safe exit of employees in an emergency. If your door is weak or inadequate, it negatively impacts the strength of all the other security measures you have in place.

What Makes a Door Set Different From a Door

Door sets include everything needed to complete a door assembly. A set includes the door leaf, frame, hinges, locking hardware, and other items. This is very different from purchasing a strong, secure door and attempting to install it in a standard, weak frame. If you are considering security steel door sets for your premises, the advantage is that an entire door set has been tested as a complete door assembly, not as separate components.

Understanding Security Ratings

When choosing steel door sets, recognised standards like LPS 1175 and PAS 24 are often referred to. Both standards involve defined attack tests and provide an assessment of the resistance provided. The assessment of the resistance and the consequences of failure to withstand such an assessment will normally depend on the type of premises and the risks inherent to the storage facilities. Specifying a level of resistance higher than is necessary increases cost, and specifying a level of resistance that is too low may create a risk. It may assist in speaking with the local insurance representative early in the design process, as some policies stipulate minimum assessment of resistance for entrances.

Fire Performance and Escape Routes

In the case of an emergency, people should be able to easily escape through the doors. Many commercial entrances are also fire exits, so hardware should allow for a quick release from the inside while still being secure from the outside. Also consider fire resistance. Fire door sets go through various tests to determine their level of resistance, so ensure the door set you purchase has the right certification and that any glazing, vision panels, or seals are a part of the test.

Frames, Fixings and the Surrounding Wall

No door set is as good as its opening. A masonry wall and/or a steel surround of sufficient strength is critical. Fixings must also be as indicated by the manufacturer. A weak wall means an attacker will simply focus on the wall instead of the door. Therefore, professional installation is part of the specification, not an extra.

Locks, Hinges and Hardware

Multi-point locking spreads the load across several bolts, making forced entry much harder. Hinge bolts provide extra resistance to prevent a leaf being lifted off its hinges. Anti-drill and anti-pick features offer additional protection. Choose hardware to suit actual usage of the door. A high usage staff entrance needs robust, easy-to-use and -operate components that will take daily usage.

Appearance and Finish

Security and design can be harmonious. Some door sets come in colour options and finishes to coordinate with your building. Well thought out design allows a door to maintain security and meet building performance requirements while integrating aesthetically with design. Powder-coating resists the elements to help the door maintain its looks.

Maintenance and Ongoing Checks

Doors, like other items on a building, require regular maintenance in order to operate as designed. Hinges, locks, closers and seals all wear out. Doors that do not close correctly do not latch properly. Inspecting doors and checking if they close and latch correctly is a good practice, and combined with periodic service by a competent installer helps catch issues before they become a security threat.

Cost, Value and Lifespan

Steel door sets are not cheap. When looking at door sets it is important to look at the long term costs of the door sets. Door sets that have been certified to meet specified building standards can be expected to have a long service life with routine servicing. Poorly made door sets that are not certified to meet the building standards can be expected to have a short service life and may not provide adequate protection from unauthorised entry. When deciding which door sets to purchase consider the availability of spare parts for seals, closers and locks.

Working With Your Installer

A good installer will survey the opening, check surrounding structures and will be able to explain how the door set should be fixed. They will check clearances for any floor finish and will check the door set operates smoothly. Once the work has been completed, ask for documents relating to the work. This information is often useful when claiming from your insurance company and will also be useful for future maintenance records.

Questions to Ask Before You Order

• Which standard and rating has this exact door set been tested to?
• Can the supplier provide test certificates and installation guidance?
• Does the rating include the frame, locks and any glazing?
• Will installation be carried out by trained fitters?
• Does the specification meet any requirements set by my insurer?

Answers to these questions should be straightforward. If they are not, it may be a good idea to consider using a different supplier. Answering these questions in detail will help you specify documentation that will reliably protect your premises for many years.