The modern security door has come a long way technologically. Modern security doors literally works of science, designed for durability and reliability. Industrial quality testing is carried out on many different levels, to ensure that the security doors can do their job well and properly.
This testing is extremely important. Because modern security doors are designer doors, often custom made for designer homes, there’s a huge range of types and styles on the market. Each type of door must pass the Australian Standard tests for accreditation.
What makes a good security door?
The Australian Standard tests for security doors are extremely demanding, and include:
- Knife Shear testing: Knives are one of the common methods used to break through security mesh. The Australian Standard requires security mesh to withstand three tests of new heavy duty knife blades under mechanical force and to limit the resulting incisions to 150mm.
- Impact Testing: This is one of the most basic security issues with any type of door. The impact test relates to evaluating the effects of physical impacts delivered on the security door. This extremely important test assesses the ability of security doors to withstand physical attempts to break them down with brute force. Under Australian Standard requirements, a security door must withstand five direct hits measured at 100 joules, roughly the equivalent of a blow from a 10kg sledgehammer at 1 metre per second.
- Jemmy testing: A jemmy or small crowbar is one of the most common tools of the burglary trade, used to prise open doors and windows. The anti-jemmy test is designed to test the resistance of the security door to opening by leverage. Modern security door testing is conducted using a mechanical winch.
- “Pull” Testing The pull test is a measure of the ability to physically pull open a door or window after it’s been lifted by a jemmy or a physical impact. The test measures resistance to movement.
- Cyclone Screen Testing: Cyclone screens are used as protection from external forces like strong winds and impacts from flying debris. This test is particularly relevant in northern Australia, where storm damage is a major issue. The physical impact tests are on the same scale as those for physical impact testing, 100 joules.
- 10,000 Hour Salt Spray Tests Because so many Australian homes are on the coast, salt spray testing is a particularly relevant test, designed to evaluate the deterioration of metal security doors and screens under chemical attack from salt spray and air. Security doors are subjected to 10,000 hours of exposure to representative levels of salt.
To pass these tests, security doors and screens must survive each test at the required standard. Interestingly, the best security screen doors on the market, including the fragile-looking sliding screen doors with what seems to be light mesh, pass these tough tests quite easily, surpassing the required standards.
If you’re looking for great modern designer doors with lots of style options and the added peace of mind of very high performance security, shop around and look for the Australian Standard accredited security doors.
Security is so important, especially with break ins happening all the time. If people can’t afford a security system, some of the first places to start are the doors and windows.
Add A Comment