Guidelines for security requirements for domestic property
from Master Locksmiths' Association
This technical guidance from the Master Locksmiths' Association (MLA) is intended to inform people intending to secure doors and windows within domestic properties. Whilst primarily intended to provide security, the guidance also stresses the importance of considering occupier safety, particularly with respect to fire.
Title: Guidelines for security requirements for domestic property
Author: Master Locksmiths' Association
Number of pages: 16
Date published: April 2007
Availability: Download full guidance 
PDF 589Kb
Theft from domestic property causes major problems for the Insurance industry and for specifiers of security products who may not be familiar with the industries involved. The reasons for these guidelines are:
the Insurers requirement on the policy holder to maintain a minimum level of security to protect their premises, to use it when the premises are unattended or in part when they are occupied.
the requirement of the householder to take reasonable security precautions for their own good.
to provide easily understood information for the use of those not familiar with the Security or Insurance industries.
These guidelines are not intended to be applied to new construction or major refurbishment. For these applications British Standards BS 7950:1997 with Amendment 3, Specification for enhanced security performance of casement and tilt/turn windows for domestic applications and PAS 24 Enhanced security performance requirements for door assemblies – Part 1:1999 with Amendment 4, single leaf, external door assemblies to dwellings apply. These specifications are based on complete doorsets and window assemblies i.e. the door or window, including frame, hinges, locks, and fixings as a whole unit. The specifier is recommended to obtain doors and windows certified to these specifications. Further guidance is given in BS 8220-1: Guide for security of buildings against crime – Part 1:2000 - Dwellings
Currently European specifications ENV 1627-1630 also exists for the security of doors, windows and shutters. Products certified to the appropriate grades of these specifications are equally suitable.
These Guidelines assume that occupants are all able bodied. For disabled users seek professional assistance before any installation.
Every attempt is made in these guidelines to be as practical as possible with recommendation or the specification of products, but there will always be occasions where alternatives will need to be sought because of the nature of a particular design, size or other feature of a door or window to be secured. In these circumstances the advice of a specialist in this field should be taken. A member of the Trade Division of The Master Locksmiths Association should be contacted for such advice, and then be checked with the Insurers where applicable.
To comply with the requirements of most insurers for thief resistant lock assemblies that necessitate the use of a key for egress it is generally accepted that locks used on traditional external timber doors are certified to BS 3621:2004 Thief resistant lock assemblies – Key egress. This indicates that the lock is part of an ongoing test and audit programme to show it meets the requirements. A list of door locks currently certified to BS 3621:2004 as at 01.04.2007 is included in the full document.
No door locks claiming compliance with earlier editions of BS 3621 should be considered.
Where there is a requirement for means of escape (from fire) from the inside without the use of a key while maintaining security from the outside, lock assemblies to BS 8621:2004 Thief resistant lock assemblies – Keyless egress should be installed. Certifying to BS 8621:2004 commenced in April 2005 and a list of lock assemblies certified as complying with this Standard are included in the full document.
However with the introduction of new materials (e.g. Aluminium, PVC-U and Composite Materials) and designs used in the construction of doors and windows, these locks may not be suitable. Therefore some non British Standard locks designed more specifically for the particular material or design from which the door or window is constructed will be acceptable in most cases. Such lock assemblies may be found in the full document.
About the Master Locksmiths' Association
The MLA is the leading trade association for the locksmithing industry. A not-for-profit organisation promoting the skill and integrity of its 1400+ members, it was established to set and promote standards of conduct, practice and materials within locksmithing. Recognised as the authoritative body for locksmithing by the police, Home Office , BSI , ABI and BRE . The MLA also has a subsidiary company, Sold Secure , which performs certification of security products via manual attack testing.
MLA member companies, who undergo strict vetting (including Criminal Records Bureau - CRB - checks, regular inspections to ensure quality etc), are able to provide advice based on knowledge and experience, recommend products that are fit for purpose as well as provide professional installation and maintenance services. Details on your nearest MLA approved company can be found on our website.
The MLA also provides training from its purpose built training facility based at the company headquarters in Daventry, consisting of a classroom type environment for theory work and fully equipped workshop for the hands-on practical elements (N.B. due to the content of some courses they may only be open to MLA members). Courses currently include general locksmithing; opening; access control and safe engineering, with others (e.g. Auto Locksmithing) being developed.
The MLA's advice when choosing for a locksmith is to look for a locksmith who is
- vetted (ideally CRB checked)
- assessed (to ensure quality of service - i.e. the can do what they say they can do)
- qualified (i.e. they've not only done a course but have passed an exam also)
- a member of a recognised association (e.g. the MLA, ideally somebody who can provide an arbitration service should it be required and an association that has value behind their logo, i.e. it's not a case of paying your money and getting the use of a logo)
- adequately insured (all bona fide locksmiths will have the required insurance cover)
- upfront with pricing (there should be codes of practice that the locksmith has signed up to. E.g. on pricing, the customer should be told what the price of the work will be upfront, and if during the job something unforeseen means this may change this should be immediately explained to the customer along with the implications)
In short look for an MLA approved company (visit www.locksmiths.co.uk or ring 01327 262255 to find your local MLA Approved Company)
Getting a copy
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Last update: Friday, August 17, 2007