SAFETY & SECURITY 57
SAFE AND SOUND WITH PART Q
Kevin Bonnar of Velfac explains why housebuilders should make a virtue of Part Q of the Building Regulations, to underline the security benefits of their developments.
are a common target for burglars, but police statistics show that most intruders are opportunistic and will give up in under three minutes if they can’t force their way into a property. With generous glazing being a key feature of many new build homes in the UK, it’s vital that ‘burglar-proof’ products are specified, not just to meet customer needs, but also to comply with Part Q of the Building Regulations. These demand enhanced security for easily accessible doors and windows. So, by specifying Part Q-compliant products from the start, prospective buyers will get the security features they want, while you can be sure that your development will pass a Part Q inspection first time, and get to market as quickly as possible.
S
Despite being launched with much publicity in 2015, Part Q is often misunderstood or ignored by many housebuilders, especially smaller develop- ers. In the context of glazing, Part Q applies to any window or door that can be accessed easily by opportunistic burglars, so not just those on the ground floor but also units installed 2 metres above a flat or sloping surface such as a balcony, garage or porch. In many low rise housing develop- ments, especially those with communal
afety and security are a top priority for most homeowners, especially when it comes to windows and doors. These
balconies or walkways, this could mean that every glazed unit has to be Part Q compli- ant, satisfying the stringent PAS 24 test which is part of the Part Q regulation, and with up to date test evidence to prove it. To meet these requirements, glazed units should feature at least one pane of strength- ened, laminated 6.8 mm glass – this provides enhanced resistance to forced entry, and breaks safely if shattered. Beading (the seal holding the glass in place) should ideally be placed on the inside to prevent a burglar from removing the glass pane externally. Window units with external glazing beads can pass PAS 24 if the glazed unit is glued inside the window frame. However, if the window unit is damaged – from forced entry or accident – this can result in the whole window unit needing to be replaced, with associated extra costs. Multi-point locking, together with lockable handles and restrictors, is also essential, especially on patio doors (a traditional weak point when it comes to home security). Multi-point locking secures the window at a variety of points around the frame, also minimising damage if an intruder attempts to force or deform the frame using tools such as crowbars or screw- drivers.
Failing a Part Q inspection can be very
costly, as every non-compliant window or door will have to be replaced, adding to costs and putting a brake on final delivery.
DESPITE BEING LAUNCHED WITH MUCH PUBLICITY IN 2015, PART Q IS OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD OR IGNORED BY MANY HOUSEBUILDERS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER DEVELOPERS
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
