Enhanced Security Performance PAS24:2016 Testing
There are a few routes that can be taken to assist our fabricator network through PAS24 accreditations.
PAS24 can be a bit of a minefield as there is often a misinterpretation of what exactly is being asked for with regards documentation. It applies to all manufactured windows and door sets. A typical example of where confusion occurs is Approved Document Q and Secured by Design, which both link into PAS24.
To confuse matters even more, there are two versions of the Document Q standard. In England, all test evidence must conform to PAS24:2012 rules, whereas in Wales the test evidence must conform to PAS24:2016.
PAS24:2016 is the current standard in the industry, which is currently under review.
Don't ask for retrospective approval
The majority of enquires we receive are for retrospective approval, for example “I have just supplied a house full of windows and the Local Building Control Officer is asking for documentation, can you send it to me please”.
Unfortunately, it is not that simple as each test report will have a different profile and hardware fitted to the product most generally supplied.
Quite often, the locking mechanism on the window is not even capable of achieving a PAS24 security certificate.
Sometimes the enquiry can be sorted quickly with a conversation and e-mail.
Eurocell support
We can assist, through Carl Storer (Senior Testing and Research Support Technician) and our Field Engineers, not only in giving advice from the beginning, but also liaising with the hardware companies and in building samples in the factory, before samples are submitted for testing.
We can also witness all testing at the UKAS test centres, in the hope of a smooth passage through the testing criteria.
This also ensures that the our Field Engineers are happy with the set up of the product, and possibly rectify any issues that could arise on the day of testing.
However, nothing is a guaranteed to pass at these test labs, as a multitude of issues could occur, with failures incurred on profile, hardware and manufacture and manual manipulation methods, This is why we can carry out an indicative test at the Learning and Development Centre for the fabricator and hardware company, to improve the chances of passing.
So how can we help fabricators demonstrate PAS24?
The Smaller Fabricator
As a rule, smaller fabricators supply domestic and trade customers, so will probably only come across windows and doors that need to comply with Approved Document Q. This standard relates to security only and is for new build properties (although extensions are currently excluded) or change of use, such as a pub being converted into a house or flats.
To comply with the standard, a test report must be issued to prove that the windows and doors meet the requirement of the PAS24 standard, both in security, by means of a test, and where applicable glass and additional door hardware fitted.
Importantly, the Document Q standard does not ask for the fabricator to have test evidence in their own name, so it can be cascaded through the system supplier or another fabricator’s test evidence, provided they have given permission. So, if you use the same profiles and hardware as the test report, the LBCO must accept the report.
We can also conduct testing to comply with Doc Q for windows for the fabricator, as the standard does not state it must be a UKAS laboratory. Therefore we can conduct a window test exactly to the methods used in the PAS24 standard but can only issue an indicative report.
To date all Local Building Control Officers have accepted the reports submitted.
On each occasion, the fabricator must manufacture the product with the assistance of Eurocell and if it passes then manufacture all required PAS24 windows exactly as per the test report.
The test
Below shows a typical window subjected to a PAS24 mechanical loading test at our Learning and Development Centre. The black pen marks highlight where all the loadings will be applied. A 3kn load will be applied to all locking and hinge points.
The Medium Fabricator
This fabricator may supply domestic and trade customers, but also get involved in small new build and commercial developments.
This is when the client could ask for test evidence (as previously) to meet Document Q or ask for further evidence which may include air and water results under BS6375 Part1 and other standards.
Again, test data could be accepted merely on the back of the Eurocell test data or Kitemark, or even another fabricator's test data, proving that the system meets their requirement.
If not for Document Q, then a UKAS test report for both areas of the standard will be required.
Sometimes, we can ask a fabricator if we can use their data to assist another fabricator, providing that the two companies are not in direct business with each other.
The Larger Fabricator
The larger fabricator may well deal with all the above type of contracts but would possibly also be heavily involved with large scale commercial projects and large new build projects.
For this type of contract, test evidence for the products manufactured must be submitted in the fabricators own name, unless the client accepts alternative test data.
This will be assessed through a third-party certification body, to ensure they are manufacturing as per the Eurocell manual, but also maintain their own working procedures.
With regards to products, they will be annually audited, with the assessor requesting samples for PAS24 testing, costing up to £10,000 per year, depending on the range of manufactured products.
The products will then be sent to their chosen UKAS test house. This could also endure what they call a full type test, where other areas of the standard come into play, which includes operation of hardware, cycle testing of hinges and mechanism.
One of the main reasons for this is Secured by Design (SBD).
Secured by Design
This is a national police security initiative scheme, with emphasis on improving the security of properties.
There will be many new build sites, for example, that are run by SBD as well as commercial projects and schools. Windows and doors are only a part of the scheme.
Secured By Design will only accept test evidence that has been tested to PAS24:2016 regardless. Not be confused with Document Q.
Eurocell are a member of Secured by Design in their own right, but this does not cover the fabricator.
The fabricator will have to affiliate themselves and test products in their own right, involving a third party. SBD will accept test evidence from the system house or other to begin with, but will ask for their next audit to be tested in the fabricator's name.
For more information, please contact our Learning and Development Centre or email Carl Storer
