Since the 7/7 London bomb attacks in 2005, the police and security services have successfully disrupted 34 terror plots targeted against the UK, according to Andrew Parker, the Director General of MI5. Although this “active detection and intervention” is going some way to counter terror, Brian Sofley, pictured, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Security Doors explores the features and benefits of correctly specifying security doors into a range of buildings, to protect against the ever-evolving threat of terror.
According to the National Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals, there are six distinct types of terrorism. All of them share the common traits of being violent acts that destroy property, invoke fear and attempt to harm the lives of civilians. From non-political terrorism of a religious nature, to a quasi-terrorism attempt of an individual criminal, every type of terrorism uses distinct methods of violence to get its message across. Although actual attacks have been infrequent, they could occur at any time, using anything from assault weapons to explosive devices, so it is crucial that the right physical security systems and protocols are in place to protect against and prevent such attacks.
Business owners need to play their part in prevention, by staying informed and preparing for the varying threats the country faces. Security doors form part of a whole specification of products, people and protocol that could contribute significantly towards protecting civilians against terror attacks.
Fire safety is a top priority for doorsets being installed in public buildings; from transport hubs, to leisure arenas, to public sector and commercial buildings, it is fundamental that doorsets provide at least 60 minutes of fire resistance to BS EN 1634-1 to prove the door’s integrity. Special attention should also be given to the associated hardware components that are required to enable the desired functionality of the fire door. These components should have evidence that they can be safely installed on the type of fire door specified without compromising its performance, along with complying to all relevant BS or EN standards. Without full consideration to the complete doorset; door, hardware, and finishes, the integrity of the door may be compromised.
Maximum-security doors must be provided for high profile buildings at risk of attack, such as governmental and military organisations. It is crucial that the right balance is struck between advanced protection and discreet designs that will not attract unwanted attention. Considering the material a doorset is made out of or its finish can help it to blend in to the surrounding environment, for instance installing a timber doorset creates an unassuming appearance whilst offering a robust security performance. To verify the protection offered by the doorset, it is strongly recommended that the type of door chosen including its hardware components are tested by means of physical attack. Testing under standards such as LPS1175 or EN1627-30 can demonstrate a door’s capability to withstand physical attack with a wide variety of tools and within timed attack durations.
With the increase in both gun crime and risk of terrorist attack, doorsets that have been designed to achieve ballistic protection must be specified. It is crucial that doorsets have been proven to offer protection against a wide range of firearms, from 9mm handguns through to armour-piercing rounds. Independently testing on both inward and outward opening configurations, as well as vision panels and locking systems ensures that doorsets will be able to resist varied ballistic projectiles. All testing must be to European Standards EN1522 and EN1523 or equivalent, as this not only involves ‘straight on’ shots but also ‘angular’ shots, which helps to recreate a more life-like situation, this was not a requirement in previous British Standard testing.
Regrettably, attacks such as the 7-7 bombings involve explosive devices that cause significant impact to a building and often serious destruction. To mitigate such devastation, buildings and areas around or within establishments, such as post rooms, should be designed to absorb or resist the explosive and implosive forces produced when a blast occurs. Blast products can be tested with charges from 1kg to over 500kg and for ranges from 1m to 30m. Given the variety of configurations and functionality expectations required of modern buildings, understanding the science behind the propagation of blast waves is fundamental for manufacturers who need to apply these elements to the structural loading of products. Through using computer software it is possible to model blast situations and then determine the most suitable product ranges to meet client’s requirements.
During testing, the conditions of a blast wave are simulated to prove that a door has the ability to withstand the full force of a blast wave and the impact of blast fragmentation that can travel at speeds of around 3000m/sec. Using this information a door can be designed to prevent significant damage to a property and reduce the risk of bodily injury to its occupants. Having blast resistant doors around the perimeter of a building is also essential in providing emergency exits from a building, should the need ever arise. Blast doors must be easy to operate by all end users on a daily basis, so that a building is easy to access and exit in the face of all situations.
By ensuring doorsets are supplied with recognised and certified standards such as LPS 1175, EN1522 and EN1523 and products that meet fire safety standards, BS EN 1634-1, is an effective way for building owners to start protecting against the ever evolving threat of terror. Integrating the right products in to the correct systems and protocols to counter terror could ultimately save lives.
About ASSA ABLOY Security Doors
The arm of ASSA ABLOY provides a range of steel and timber doors that offer fire protection and resistance against physical, ballistic and blast attack. Their Powershield and Safeguard range are available in single, double and leaf and half configurations, in a variety of steel and timber finishes. Visit www.assaabloy.co.uk/securitydoors
