Let’s talk certification and standards with ERA Experts

ERA has a wealth of experience navigating standards and legislation for our industry. Here we look at some of the more common standards and accreditations and look at what they are and how they help our customers. 

Jump to section:

• Certifire
• PAS 24
• Secured by Design

Certifire

What is Certifire?

Certifire is an independent third-party passive fire product certification scheme that assures performance, quality, reliability and traceability of products and systems. The Certifire brand is recognised by regulatory authorities worldwide as an international mark of fire safety across a diverse range of passive fire products.

The benefits of Certifire

Certifire helps give the regulator, specifier, customer and end-user confidence as to the stated performance of the product, providing an informed choice when purchasing or selecting the product. Choosing a product that carries the mark of a reputable third-party certification body gives assurance as to the performance of the products. Using certified products, correctly installed, provides a powerful demonstration that due diligence has been served.

How does ERA use Certifire for our product range?

For a hardware manufacturer, Certifire enables us to put our products through their paces. Not all products are suitable for use on fire doors, so we must choose the right product to test and certify. We think about where our customers will use the product and on what application. Then, testing that product on a fire door, with an accredited UKAS and EGOLF approved fire test laboratory, not only enables our customers to be assured of the product's performance and suitability for fire doors; but also allows us to provide test evidence specific to the hardware product for customers to use their own primary fire door test evidence.

We sometimes select a range of products to be tested on a fire door, so you may see certificates that contain multiple products, such as a hinge, a door closing device or a lock/latch. Fire doors are timed according to the scope and requirements of the associated standards and generally, a pass is granted on either a 30-minute or 60-minute fire rated door providing either integrity or insulation failure has not occurred on the product being tested. This measurement equates to the length of time a doorset or assembly is required to resist an active fire to indicate the correct application for the product.

As an ERA customer, what do test evidence and a Certifire approved product give me?

Any fire test evidence gained demonstrates that ERA has conducted an independent fire test on a specified doorset fitted with the named hardware products, fulfilling our requirements as a premium hardware supplier. The evidence can then be used by door manufacturers towards primary fire assessment reports for their respective doorsets. Customers MUST undertake their own applications with their notified body to update those fire assessment reports.

The mark of Certifire on ERA products helps give customers and end-users further confidence in the fire performance of the product, providing them with an informed choice when purchasing or selecting the product. Choosing a product that carries the mark of a reputable third-party certification body gives assurance as to the performance of the products. Using certified products, correctly installed, provides a powerful demonstration that due diligence has been served.

What does the fire test evidence NOT give me?

As with any secondary fire test evidence on a hardware product, ERA gained test data is specific to the product, door type and intumescent kit fitted for the test. However, customers can not use this to claim suitability on any other door type of doorset or with an alternative intumescent kit without prior written approval from the notified body or test laboratory.

It remains the responsibility of the door manufacturer to ensure that their doorset has primary full-scale test evidence, including all components that will eventually be supplied when installed, before their doorset can be called a “fire doorset”. This cannot be achieved using secondary hardware-specific fire evidence.

To conclude, door manufacturers will still need to complete their respective assessments or fire testing, using this evidence as a basis to work from. However, Certifire approval and up to date fire evidence can also be used to identify products that you can use on a fire door (once tested) as secondary and supporting evidence.

Which ERA products currently have Certifire?

• ERA Fortress Mortice Locks (BS 5 Lever Deadlock and Sashlock, 44mm and 56mm)
• ERA Fortress Euro Cylinder Locks (BS Deadlock and Sashlock, 44mm and 56mm)
• ERA Viscount Mortice Locks (5 Lever Deadlock and Sashlock, 44mm and 56mm)
• ERA Viscount Euro Cylinder Locks (Deadlock and Sashlock, 44mm and 56mm)
• Fab&Fix Nu Mail Shield TS 008 Letterplate

Further information

For more information on what is involved with Certifire, please visit Warrington Fire. 

PAS 24

What is PAS 24?

PAS 24 is a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) standard for the enhanced security performance requirements for doorsets and windows in the UK. It includes a testing standard for doorsets and windows and is intended to offer a level of security suitable for dwellings and other buildings exposed to comparable risk.

The tests are designed to mimic an attack by an opportunistic burglar, using tools which are easy to conceal. Measuring the security performance of the tested doorset or window to confirm that can resist the specified level of attack.

The latest test standard is PAS 24: 2022 which supersedes PAS 24: 2016 (withdrawn with effect from 20th September 2023) and covers doorsets and windows of all material types. A PAS 24 test is undertaken on the overall doorset or window, it is those that are accredited. However, within the PAS 24 test specific elements of the hardware, glass etc are tested e.g. door lock.

How do you achieve PAS 24 for a doorset or window?

To achieve PAS 24:2022, a manufacturer must submit their doorset or window to an independent testing company certified by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). PAS 24 is a minimum standard so it doesn't have a grading system, a window and doorset either pass the PAS 24 standard and receive the accreditation or not. During the PAS 24 test, windows and doors are tested in two main areas – security performance and weather resistance. 

What does PAS 24 cover?

There are specific tests carried out as part of PAS 24 but products must also meet the general performance requirements.

PAS 24 Tests for Windows

• Glazing test (security) – pressure is applied to each of the four corners (the weakest point) to test the strength of the glazing bead and the tensile strength of the glass.
• Mechanical load test (security) – a machine applies hydraulic force to the window to replicate the action of someone trying to prise open the window. Designed to test the strength of the profile alongside the locking mechanisms and other security features installed in the window.
• Manual attack test (security) – a test engineer has a ‘toolkit’ of specified equipment and has 15 minutes to try and break the frame. The engineer can use a combination of tools to 'attack' the window to test for vulnerabilities. This replicates the methods an opportunist burglar would use to get into a property.
• Weather resistance test – a rig is used to simulate weather to test for water tightness and check for leakages. The window is placed in a pressure chamber where varying levels of air are exerted to simulate wind pressure against the glazing and jets of water are sprayed against the window to replicate rain.

PAS 24 Tests for Doors

• Mechanical load test (security) – a machine applies hydraulic force to the door to replicate the action of someone trying to prise open the door. Designed to test the strength of the profile alongside the locking mechanisms and other security features installed in the door.
• Solid impact test (security) – to test the door's resistance to shock forces. A sand-filled leather bag is dropped in a pendulum motion designed to replicate the door being struck with a uniform force across a wide area of the door.
• Hard impact test (security) – to test the individual components of the door and their resistance to shock forces. A metal battering ram on a pendulum is pulled back and released designed to replicate the door being struck with a concentrated force.
• Manual attack test (security) – a test engineer has a ‘toolkit’ of specified equipment and has 15 minutes to test the strength and security of the door frame and lock cylinder. The engineer can use a combination of tools to 'attack' the door to test for vulnerabilities such as mole grips (to grip the cylinder to see if it can be snapped). A cut-through tool is also used to see if the blade can make a significant hole in the door to aid the attack. This replicates the methods an opportunist burglar would use to get into a property.
• Weather resistance test – a rig is used to simulate weather to test for water tightness and check for leakages. The door is placed in a pressure chamber where varying levels of air are exerted to simulate wind pressure against the glazing and jets of water are sprayed against the door to replicate rain.

Is PAS 24 required for all new door installations?

PAS 24 is part of Approved Document Q and is now required to meet Building Regulations for new build properties. Building Regulations now require that all new build properties can “resist unauthorised access to any dwelling; and any part of a building from which access can be gained to a flat within the building.”

For the RMI market, PAS 24 accreditation demonstrates a manufacturer’s commitment to providing products that offer the very best in enhanced security and is a great way to offer customers peace of mind when it comes to their investment in windows and doors.

Which ERA products currently have PAS 24?

As mentioned above, a PAS 24 test is carried out on the overall doorset or window. Many ERA hardware and smart security products are tested as part of wider PAS 24 tests, to give customers confidence in the performance of our products. For further details please contact our technical department. However, for a specific door or window to be accredited to PAS 24, that window or door must be tested independently in a UKAS test house.  

Further information

For more information on PAS 24, please visit:

Secured by Design https://www.securedbydesign.com/guidance/standards-explained/doors

BSI https://www.bsigroup.com/

At ERA offices in Wolverhampton, we have an independent testing laboratory accredited by UKAS, that conducts PAS 24: 2022 testing, for more information please see our UKAS page.

Secured by Design

What is Secured by Design?

Secured by Design (SBD) operates an accreditation scheme on behalf of the UK police for products or services that have met recognised security standards. Such products or services must be capable of deterring or preventing crime and are known as being of a ‘Police Preferred Specification’.
Police Preferred Specification ensures that products have been:

• Independently tested to a relevant security standard
• Fully certified by an independent third-party, United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) certification body

Or

• Tested and certified by an approved body such as Sold Secure or Thatcham

It should be noted that SBD does not undertake any testing itself.

Which ERA products currently have Secured by Design?

IOT Smart Homes Security

• ERA TouchKey - Secure Connected Device accredited

Locks & Hardware

• Double Cam Lock (Super Espag) Range
• ERA BS 3621 Nightlatch (40mm and 60mm)
• ERA 2 Large Hook Locking System Composite PVC-U
• ERA 3 Hook Locking System PVC-U
• ERA 3* Invincible Cylinder
• ERA 3* Fortress Cylinder
• ERA 3* SSD Cylinder
• ERA 1* Cylinder
• ERA Bifold Door Locking System
• ERA Challenger Composite Door Hinge PVC-U
• ERA Extreme VS1 Window Locking System
• ERA Extreme VS3 Window Locking System PVC-U
• ERA Fortress Euro Cylinder Mortice (Deadlock and Sashlock)
• ERA Fortress 5 Lever Mortice (Deadlock and Sashlock)
• ERA Viscount Euro Cylinder Mortice (Deadlock and Sashlock)
• ERA Viscount 5 Lever Mortice (Deadlock and Sashlock)
• ERA Heavy Duty TS 003 Door Bar Restrictor
• ERA Heavy Duty TS 003 Door Chain
• ERA Horizon Friction Stay PVC-U
• ERA Maxim Window Handle
• ERA Nexus 100 Door Hinge
• ERA Patio Door Lock
• ERA Standard Surefire Locking System
• ERA Vectis French Door Lock Kit
• ERA Vertical Sliding Locks
• Fab&Fix Anchorage Heavy Duty Door Hinge
• Fab&Fix Architectural Euro Door Handle
• Fab&Fix Balmoral Euro Door Handle
• Fab&Fix Balmoral Invincible Door Handle
• Fab&Fix Classic PVCu Door Hinge
• Fab&Fix Connoisseur Window Handle
• Fab&Fix Pembroke Patio Door Handle
• Fab&Fix TS 007 2* Berwick Security Door Handle

Mail Delivery

• Fab&Fix Nu Mail Shield Letterplate

Further information

For more information on Secured by Design, please visit https://www.securedbydesign.com