Our trained surveyors offer a free survey in a geographical area North of the River Thames and the Northern Home Counties. We would encourage you to take advantage of this service.

However, should you wish to assess the risk yourself before buying, please go through the security audit yourself.

Domestic

To assess your own security needs, imagine you are a burglar attempting to gain entry to your house - how would you get in?

Front Door
Should have a BS 3621 mortice lock together with top and bottom key operated bolts.

Side and Back Doors
Ideally fit a 5 lever BS 3621 mortice lock together with top and bottom key operated bolts.

Ground Floor Windows
Windows are the most common point of forced entry, especially at the rear of the house. Fit window locks on all ground floor windows.

Upstairs Windows
Pay particular attention to upstairs windows that could be accessible from flat roof, drainpipe etc.., or which are protected from view by trees or fences. All vulnerable windows should be fitted with a window lock.

French Windows/ Patio Doors
Fit appropriate locks to top and bottom of doors.

Outbuildings
Sheds and garages often contain tools that would be useful for a burglar, so ensure all outbuildings are secured by an appropriate mortice lock or padlock.

Security Lighting
Passive Infra Red Lighting which is activated by movement offers a great deterrent to burglars as well as offering courtesy lighting for owners. Should be fitted on front and rear of house.


Commercial and Industrial

to which shops, offices, schools, factories etc. are vulnerable.

• Will the window locks on the ground floor offices stand up to the determined burglar.
• Are your computers secured to avoid theft of hardware and chips?
• Is the access to your building adequately controlled during working hours?
• Do you have a system to control the issue and unauthorised duplication of keys?
• Is the Master Keyed Suite, which you considered to be protected from illegal duplication of keys, protected by the new European Patents?
• Are your safes up to the required insurance standards?
• Is your computer data stored in fire resistant containers?

General

The Association of British Insurers guidelines require all final exit doors to be fitted with a 5-lever mortice deadlock conforming to BS 3621. The following are the requirements of any kitemarked lock.

• A minimum of 5 levers
• At least 1000 key combinations
• Saw resistant bolt with a minimum 14mm throw
• Bolt able to withstand 300lbs side and 5000lbs end pressures
• Drill resistant lock case
• One or more anti-pick features

The locks featured are specifically for wooden doors. There are special insurance guidelines and problems relating to metal and upvc doors, and usually we would wish to survey before recommending an upgrading solution.