An Englishman's Home Is His Castle?
LETTER BOX ADDS TO DOOR MISERY
FACT
External doors are absolutely critical to the safety of premises and occupants. They must meet specified performance standards to demonstrate appropriate levels of security and fitness for purpose, in particular PAS 23-1:1999 and PAS 24-1:1999 (now replaced with PAS 24:2007 since December 2007) in the UK.
The building owners and occupants rely on the door's tests results and the Certificate of compliance to the standards. However, 4mln property crimes were recorded in England and Wales in 2006/2007 only and, as a matter of fact, few doors are safe.
This is partly due to serious lapses with letter box security. Residents and businesses suffer from arson, criminal attacks and vandalism through the external doors that were claimed by the manufacturers to be in compliance with the security standards. It absolutely clear that letter box security is an issue.
This happens because UK specifications are tailored to the needs of the UK manufacturers rather than the customers. Industry is very powerful, it sits on all committees and they object to accepting European standards for doors security. Pas 24:2007 is not burglar resistance test. It is a low-grade test with no levels - only one level, whereas European specifications ENV 1627-1630 provide 6 levels for door security.
Protecting the letter box would add up to the door security but to the price too and door manufacturers are resisting this obvious and essential door improvement claiming that they are under ever increasing pressure from competition to reduce the costs.
MOST EXTERNAL DOORS IN THE UK DO NOT MEET EUROPEAN PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SECURITY
Some manufacturers claim that they try the security of their door with crow bars, sledge hammers, credit cards and other tools of destruction. They may even swing a 30 kg ball into the door in several different places to check it will stand up to shoulder barge. They then pronounce that they have tested the security and durability of their door.
However, it is essential that after the manufacturer's tests door specifications do not change after installation and during use. The problem is that according to the standards currently used in the UK, doors are tested for fire resistance, security and acoustic performance with the letterplate either not fitted, or when it is in a closed position or specifically excluded from the test. Then these doors are used by customers with a letterplate because 'the mail must go through'. Doors characteristics change after fitting of a letter plate.
The letterplate is the only part of the property that is publicly accessible 24 hours a day and makes the property vulnerable and exposed to all four main risks defined by the insurance: from fire, water damage, malicious damage and weather - related damage. With the letterplate fitted the door will not pass the test for European specifications ENV 1627-1630 and even PAS 24:2007.
With the problem widely recognised, some customers go for the fitting of the so called 'fire rated letter box system'. Ask yourself: would a door or a letterplate or the 'fire rated letter box system', which were tested with the letterplate flap closed, protect a property and the occupants when the flap is open?
THE QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCESS OF THE DOOR WITH THE LETTERPLATE COLLAPSES AT THE POINT OF INSTALLATION AND USE
THE UNPROTECTED LETTERPLATE IS OFTEN THE MAIN CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS, WHICH MANY DOOR PRODUCTS HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT AGAINST
ENTRANCE DOORS WITH UNPROTECTED LETTER BOX CAN BE REAL KILLERS
The unprotected letter box offers an easy and attractive route into the property for vandals, arsonists, thieves, burglars and terrorists - whatever locks may be installed in the door. This security drawback often turns fatal for property occupants.
The risk of crime starting through the unprotected letter box in the entrance door is well known and identified by the Insurance, Fire Brigade, Police Service, Master Locksmiths Association, etc.
Statistics on crime and incidents that have heavily featured in media reports have highlighted the need for improved security in the letter box without disrupting the mail delivery. Common sense tells us that considering the shocking statistics and for the same reason that you have your front doors locked, you must also have security against crime and vandalism in your front door letter box.
Since the New Fire Safety Order 2005 was introduced from 1st October 2006 in the UK, the owners and managers of non-domestic premises are personally responsible for the fire safety of their premises and must take measures to eliminate all known risks of fire.
Therefore, protecting the letter box is essential in all non-domestic premises for complying with the law. In the case of an accident, they face the risk of not complying with the legislation, hefty fines, difficulty with getting insurance and even imprisonment.
IS YOUR DOOR UP TO THE JOB?
Who Commits Arson and Why?
Source: The Home Office
Youth Disorder and Nuisance: Vandalism, Boredom, Excitement, Curiosity, Peer pressure, Gang culture
Criminal: Financial gain, Fraud, Concealing evidence of criminal activity (e.g. car theft/burglary)
Psychological: Mental illness
Malicious: Revenge, Anger, Frustration, Racism/Clash of beliefs, Homophobic
Other: Attempt to be re-homed, Family argument, Drugs, Truancy, Personal animosities, etc.
THE DIVERSE MOTIVES OF ARSONISTS, VANDALS AND CRIMINALS MEAN THAT NO HOME OR BUSINESS IS IMMUNE FROM AN ATTACK
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE IN THE LETTER BOX YOU COULD BE VISITED BY A CRIMINAL OR AN ENFORCEMENT OFFICER