VdS 5478en : 2004-03 (01) Windows
We wish to thank the Police, in particular the Kommission Polizeiliche Kriminalprävention der Länder und des Bundes - KPK (German Police commitee for crime prevention) for the good an constructive cooperation in producing this brochure. VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH Security Amsterdamer Straße 174 50735 Köln, Germany Phone: +49 221 7766-173 Fax: +49 221 7766-377 Email: security@vds.de Copyright 2005 VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH. All rights reserved.
Windows A window is more than just a transparent construction element. It provides protection against noise, rain, cold, heat but not necessarily against intrusion. Protection against intruders and burglars is provided by burglarproof windows. These are available in wood, plastic, aluminium or steel. These are characterised by a particularly high mechanical stability of the frame, the sash and the window fittings. A further characteristic of the burglary-resistant window is the high-quality glazing: It is impact-resistant or even penetration-resistant. Weak points Windows without special security features against intrusion and these include the vast majority of windows in buildings today can be easily overcome, often in just a few seconds. Even the simplest craftsman s tools are sufficient to enable a burglar to open a closed window; the police speak here of levering open. You will often search in vain for visible signs of damage on windows that have been levered open. Lockable window handles (catches) such as those generally installed unfortunately offer no protection alone against levering open. They merely prevent unwanted opening from the inside. And burglars smashing the glass to open the window with the catch from the inside afterwards is seldom the case in less than one of ten situations. What then does a good window constitute in view of burglar protection? 3
Window frame First it is important that the window frame is securely anchored into the surrounded masonry. Otherwise the forces exerted in trying to open the window can tear the window as a whole out of the wall. This danger exists in particular if the frame was mainly only fixed with PUR fitting foam glue. Window fittings The window fittings combine the operating and locking elements. The fittings often have revolving round (roll) pins as shown in the figure below that ensure the necessary contact pressure between window sash and window frame. This ensures that wind and weather are kept out and that there are no draughts. But a window that is only held closed by such round pins is no obstacle to a burglar. These round (roll) pins jump out almost immediately under the force of the jemmy or lever. Security upgrade Even existing windows with only simple fittings can be graded up significantly by the professional installation of retrofit products. These are available for a variety of applications and offer effective protection against burglary and theft. Retrofit products offer good protection against burglary if they are Solid enough (recognisable from the VdS approval), Installed in sufficient numbers, Professional installed. Retrofit products can be used both as an additional lock with one or more locking points as a replacement for the conventional window catch and for protecting the hinge side. Under certain circumstances, even burglary-resistant fittings can be retrofitted. This allows invisible security to be achieved. Whether and at what expense the retrofitting of burglary-resistant window fittings is possible has to be determined on a case by case basis. The fitting should therefore have several mushroom-head pins (e.g. two to three pins on each side of the window). These ensure close fitting and locking of the window sash and thus offer considerably greater protection against intrusion. In order to achieve protection for the whole window, the security devices should be installed at several points. After all, only the burglar knows where he is going to attack the window. The recommended installation positions differ, depending on the window type. When deciding on the installation positions it should not be forgotten that the products remain easily accessible and therefore simple to operate. Glazing Isolation (double) glazing is very widespread in Germany today. Its main task is to prevent heat loss. But isolation glazing offers no resistance to deliberate destruction of the window; it is neither particularly stable nor contrary to widespread belief does it implode with a loud bang when broken. 4
Glazing with wire mesh inlay (wired glass) or so called security glass (e.g. single-pane safety glass - SPSG) also neither offer protection against burglary this glazing is merely intended to avoid personal injury. When the glass breaks, it produces only very small pieces without sharp edges instead of dangerous glass splinters. Real protection is offered by burglary-resistant glazing that do not necessarily differ visually from the normal window glass. They consist of a combination of glass and transparent plastics. Burglary-resistant glazing are produced in a variety of security levels. Impact-resistant glass offers protection e.g. against thrown stones or bricks. The features are stringently tested in the laboratory. These tests include allowing solid steel balls to drop onto the glass from heights of up to 12 metres. Impact-resistant glass can even prevent a burglar gaining access with a heavy hammer. In many cases, simple isolation (double) glazing windows can be replaced by burglary-resistant glazing. The installation of burglary-resistant grills or roller shutters can also increase the protection against burglary and theft. It should be remembered, however, that although roller shutters offer protection when closed, they should never be left closed for prolonged periods in order not to signal to potential burglars that there is no-one at home. Intruder alarm system (IAS) If an intruder alarm system (commonly known just as alarm system ) is to be installed, surveillance of the windows is crucial. Alarm glass (illustrated in the figure: alarm loop) is just one of many potential solutions. It can be integrated directly into the glazing and apart from the routine inspection require no further attention after installation. 5
order to achieve comprehensive protection against theft or vandalism, not only the protection of the building as a whole but also security measures for certain objects, e.g. through the use of safes or the installation of intruder alarm systems can be expedient. Special security guidelines that VdS Schadenverhütung offers for both shops and businesses and private households provide qualified and practical assistance here. Resistance classes Product tests are performed in accordance with both DIN EN standards and with VdS guidelines. The table shows the resistance classes of windows and glazing with VdS certification and DIN approval. The requirements on the elements listed in the table increase from top to bottom. To monitor the locked state and opening of the window it can also be equipped with detectors during the original manufacture. But later also glass break detectors can also be installed, e.g. passive glass break detectors that are stuck directly to the window glass. Conclusion All the components of the window have to fit and function together. For this reason, the physical security-upgrading or replacement of windows or glazing should always be carried out by specialists. If a particularly high degree of protection is required, the installation of burglary-resistant windows is to be recommended. Here all the details have been matched and the elements have been tested and approved as a complete unit. Security guidelines For an efficiently functioning overall concept, the balancing and compatibility of the individual security elements to one another is of fundamental importance. In Glazing, falling ball test (impact resistance) VdS 2163 DIN EN 356 DIN 52290 (superseded by DIN EN) No correspondence P1A No correspondence No correspondence P2A No correspondence No correspondence No correspondence A1 No correspondence P3A No correspondence No correspondence No correspondence A2 No correspondence P4A No correspondence EH01 No correspondence A3 No correspondence P5A No correspondence EH02 No correspondence DH4 (not published) Glazing, tests with tools (burglar resistance) VdS 2163 DIN EN 356 DIN 52290 (superseded by DIN EN) No correspondence P6B B1 EH1 No correspondence No correspondence No correspondence P7B B2 EH2 No correspondence No correspondence No correspondence P8B B3 EH3 No correspondence No correspondence Burglar-resistance window (complete element) VdS 2534 DIN EN 1627ff DIN 18054 (superseded by DIN EN) N WK2 EF0/EF1 A WK3 EF2 B WK4 EF3 C WK5 No correspondence 6
Listings All VdS-certified products are itemised in lists by VdS Schadenverhütung. These lists are available in printed form or on the Internet. Here a potential user can check whether, for example, a lock or locking cylinder has undergone VdS testing and in which class the approval was granted. VdS publications Brochures VdS 5477en Key deposit boxes VdS 5479en Doors VdS 5480en Intruder alarm systems VdS 5483en Safe storage units and strongrooms Listings of VdS-approved products and services VdS 2829 Einbruchhemmende Fassadenelemente (Burglarproof façade elements) VdS 2523 Errichterfirmen für mechanische Sicherungseinrichtungen (Installation companies for physical security systems) VdS 2137 Errichterfirmen für Einbruchmeldeanlagen (Installation companies for intruder alarm systems) Other publications VdS 271en Protect yourself against intrusion, leaflet VdS 691en Security guidelines for households VdS 2333en Security guidelines for shops and business VdS 2570 Publikationen zur Sicherungstechnik auf CD-ROM (Publications on security technology on CD-ROM) All listings and other information are also available on the Internet under www.vds.de. Visit us on our homepage. 7