Building security in the UK faces a continually changing landscape with possible forced entry from a wider range of assailants and available tools.
Here, Iain Entwistle, Product Marketing Manager at Meesons A.I. Ltd, looks at why LPS 1175 sets the standard for physical robustness in relation to revolving doors and security portals.
The point of entrance is often the most vulnerable part of a building when it comes to attack by criminals, protestors or terrorists. Traditionally, larger premises have relied on a manned gatehouse at the perimeter and reception or security team at the building entrance.
However, as intruders become more willing to use force, or simply tailgate their way in by closely following the person in front, specifiers are looking for more robust ways of protecting people and assets, whilst still retaining architectural appeal.
An effective way of making sure the building façade is hardened against criminal attack using a range of tools such as hammers, screwdrivers and saws is to specify a Revolving Door or Security Portal that is approved to Loss Prevention Standard (LPS) 1175: Issue 8. With solutions available to provide ease of transit for wheelchairs, bikes, prams or trolleys.
Due to their proven ability to withstand a forced attack, they are a good choice where 24/7 unmanned access control is required or can be used in conjunction with a security team and here anti-tailgating detection can trigger an alarm if anyone attempts to make an unauthorised entry.
Our LPS 1175 Revolving Door remains the world’s first to meet this standard. It achieves Loss Prevention Standard (LPS) 1175: Issue 8 up to C5 (SR3) during normal operation and is also the first Revolving Door to be accredited by Secured by Design.
Meeting the requirements set out in Document Q of the Building Regulations, for the security of dwellings and communal entrances, means specifiers no longer need to compromise on their buildings’ security.
Being in a permanent state of attack-readiness ensures no user intervention is required and avoids any delay in activating a secondary layer of defence such as night security shutter.
It’s worth bearing in mind that some revolving doors rely on a secondary barrier because they are not in a permanent state of attack-readiness. Specifying an LPS 1175 version that is fully attack-ready combines functionality and forced entry protection into a single product.
When specified with anti-tailgating detection, the single-person authentication prevents unauthorised individuals from piggybacking their way into the facility by closely following the person in front. Legitimate building users can present their ID card or biometric data in order to traverse into the building.
For sites where access control is not required the Revolving Door or Security Portal can be configured with free-flow entry/ exit during the day and lock down mode during out of hours or when required.
Issue 8 of LPS1175 is the latest version of the standard. It retains the same rigorous testing procedures as Issue 7 with the addition of several new tests to reflect a broader spectrum of threat scenarios. Important updates include changes to reflect the scope of tools now available, size of tools, access to tools, portability of tools, power and effectiveness.
The new ‘matrix’ style security ratings defined within the revised standard facilitates LPS1175 being applied to a far wider scope of threat scenarios.
That means the previous single digit performance classification within Issue 7 (Security Ratings SR1 to 8) has been extended to form two elements that classify performance in terms of; Threat Level (letter A to H), corresponding with the tool kit used to evaluate the product’s intruder resistance and the number of attackers involved.
The second element assigns a numeric value (1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20), corresponding with the minimum Delay (in minutes) provided by the product when placed in a locked position.
Although the new standard covers 48 combinations of threat and delay it is envisaged that specifiers will achieve an extended delay by deploying a series of products in a layered approach. For instance, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation at the perimeter and LPS 1175 approved Revolving Door or Security Portal at the building façade. We were guided by LPS 1175 when developing a range of Security Portals that achieve A1 (SR1), B3 (SR2) and C5 (SR3).
A safer future
LPS 1175: Issue 8 is an important security standard when it comes to specifying Security Portals and Revolving Doors not least because the standard is now a requirement in many different sectors including: education, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, the public sector, residential, retail and utilities.
Several industry bodies are encouraging the uptake of LPS 1175. Richard Flint, LPCB's Physical Security Certification Scheme Manager, said: “When assessing the overall level of risk, correctly specified security products are critical in protecting buildings and their users against crime. We encourage the use of LPS 1175-approved products wherever possible because it hardens premises against criminal attack.
Specifiers should refer to the LPCB Red Book when looking for LPS 1175- approved Security Portals and other physical security products. Security Portals certified to these standards are able to resist experienced attempts by criminals at forced entry using a wide range of tools.”
He added: “LPCB’s LPS 1175 standard sets the bar in providing specifiers with confidence in specifying physical entrance security that is able to withstand forced attack. Specifying LPS 1175 products which has been independently third party tested provides confidence that the product will perform as claimed, whereas untested products may not perform as expected.”
Until relatively recently there were no Revolving Doors or Security Portals available to LPS 1175. Historically, that meant compromises had to be made between security and aesthetics, resulting in some buildings ending up looking fortress-like with little architectural appeal or buildings settling for a less secure solution in order to retain building aesthetics.
However, that has now changed with LPS 1175 approved Revolving Door and Security Portals removing the need for multiple or secondary security barriers and which are aesthetically pleasing.
For more information on entrance control solutions from Meesons A.I. Ltd., call; 0870 787 7846, email; enquiries@meesons.com or visit; www.meesons.com.
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