Prepared for Locksmith by Michael Skelding, general manager and secretary of the Door and Hardware Federation.
The DHF represents the UK’s leading manufacturers of locks and door hardware. This is the fourth of a series of articles in The Locksmith informing locksmiths and security professionals about the latest developments within the industry.
PAS 3621 is the standard for multi-point locks which offers a similar level of security to the long established BS 3621 standard for single-point locks. BS 3621 has been the gold standard for single-point locks having gained credibility when it comes to consumer understanding and acceptance. With PVCu and composite domestic entry doors now becoming the norm, PAS 3621 is developing a similar reputation as the accepted standard for replacement multi-point locks.
So what are the implications – and, more importantly, the business opportunities – afforded to the locksmith by PAS 3621, in particular in the replacement market?
The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), the trade association representing the UK’s leading lock makers, was one of four parties to sponsor the new standard. The other three sponsors were ERA, ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in door opening solutions, and Secured by Design (SBD), the official police flagship security initiative.
BS 3621 drove the domestic replacement lock market at a time when the market largely comprised single-point locks. However, the replacement lock market was seeing a growing swing towards multi-point locks and now largely comprises multi-point locks.
The social housing market, which represents up to seven million doors, widely requires doors to meet the requirements of Secured by Design. These requirements include certification to the PAS 24 standard and there is an obvious issue of maintaining Secured by Design status when the time came to replace the multi-point lock.
From the locksmith’s point of view what benefits does PAS 3621 deliver?
The standard delivers a solution where a multi-point lock in a Secured by Design approved door can be replaced with a Kitemarked PAS 3621 rated lock, so keeping the door’s PAS 24 rating in place. Most importantly, this avoids the need to fit exactly the same lock as was originally supplied with the door. The locksmith is consequently able to fit a suitable replacement on the first visit from a small range of stock in the van, rather than having to order a lock and then go back for a repeat visit to install it. This rapid resolution to the problem benefits the householder and, indeed, the landlord, who is concerned to avoid delay in order to comply with the tenancy agreement.
The Kitemark and the SBD status are well recognised and understood by the householder. When the time comes to increase security on a domestic front or back door, then the locksmith can provide reassurance by providing a replacement multi-point lock which carries the Kitemark and SBD approval.
PAS 3621 offers wider benefits to the marketplace, too. It gives housebuilders and door fabricators the opportunity to add value and extra security for their customers. The recently published Approved Document Q of the Building Regulations requires entrance doors that will meet new security requirements. To do this they must be both robust and be fitted with appropriate hardware. Document Q specifically states that multi-point locking systems incorporated within bespoke doors must meet the requirements of PAS 3621. This gives the housing developer the opportunity to add value to the building.
In summary, the PAS 3621 Kitemark standard is:
- A quality mark that consumers widely recognise
- A quality mark that is widely accepted by the police (SBD) and housebuilders (NHBC)
- A quality mark that is referenced in the insurance sector’s RISCAuthority guidelines and is increasingly being accepted (and required) by leading insurance companies.
PAS 3621-compliant replacement locks are now on the market and their availability is growing rapidly. This is giving a major opportunity to locksmiths to improve security by selling up, offering a superior product and adding value.
Contact the DHF telephone 01827 52337