More than a strong reputation
Steel has long been associated with strength, but today’s projects demand proof as well as perception. Russell Ager, Managing Director of Crittall Windows, discusses the role of PAS 24 in modern door design...
Steel has never needed much help selling its credentials. Its strength, solidity and durability are the measures against which many other materials are judged. Yet when it comes to modern building design, perceived strength and proven security are not necessarily the same thing. Today’s architects and specifi ers work in a world of measurable performance. Products are scrutinised for their thermal effi ciency, sustainability, longevity and security, with independent testing increasingly guiding specifi cation decisions. In that environment, assumptions count for little. This is why nationally-recognised standards have become so important. Rather than relying on reputation alone, they provide tangible evidence that a door or window system can withstand the kinds of attacks associated with burglary or other forms of intrusion. For manufacturers of steel glazing
systems, this presents a delicate balancing act. The challenge is to create a secure door or window while preserving the slim profi les and elegant sightlines that have made steel a defi ning architectural material for more than a century. Recent developments at Crittall Windows demonstrate how that balance is being achieved. Our Corporate W20® door system has achieved PAS 24:2022 certifi cation, covering both the standard W20® door and the thermally enhanced W20 TE® variant.
That latter is the only such system in the UK to hold the certifi cation. While PAS 24 itself is signifi cant, it also refl ects a wider trend within the steel fenestration sector: the evolution of systems that combine heritage- inspired aesthetics with the performance expectations of contemporary construction. PAS 24 has become one of the most widely recognised security benchmarks within the UK construction industry. Overseen by the British Standards Institution, the standard assesses the ability of doorsets and windows to resist methods commonly associated with burglary. Products are subjected to a series of tests designed to evaluate their performance under sustained attack, providing an independent measure of security. For specifi ers, that independent
verifi cation has become increasingly valuable. Security is now considered alongside energy effi ciency, weather performance and sustainability as part of a broader assessment of whole-life building performance. In many respects, steel is naturally suited
to these demands. Its inherent robustness has long made it a preferred choice for a wide variety of projects. Yet modern steel systems are expected to deliver considerably more than strength alone. The Corporate W20® system illustrates
how those expectations have changed. Designed to retain the slender sightlines and refi ned appearance traditionally associated with steel glazing, it also incorporates the performance characteristics required for modern
applications. Strong steel profi les, quality glazing and carefully engineered components work together to provide security as a fundamental part of the system. Importantly, achieving PAS 24
certifi cation has not required compromises in design fl exibility. The system remains available in a wide range of confi gurations, sizes and fi nishes, allowing architects to adapt it to both heritage and contemporary projects. The ability to combine proven security with architectural freedom is becoming an increasingly important consideration as designers seek products capable of satisfying multiple project requirements simultaneously. Ultimately, the signifi cance of PAS 24
certifi cation extends beyond compliance. It refl ects a growing emphasis on evidence-based specifi cation, where products are expected to demonstrate their capabilities through independent testing rather than reputation alone. For systems such as Corporate W20®, achieving PAS 24 certifi cation shows how modern steel glazing continues to evolve, combining the enduring qualities that made the material an architectural staple with the independently verifi ed performance standards expected in contemporary construction.
For more information visit
www.crittall-windows.co.uk
KC16
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