PAS 24 and Secured by Design Doors and What They Prove

When you compare quotes for a new door or windows, you will often see PAS 24 and Secured by Design listed in the paperwork. PAS 24 is a test specification, while Secured by Design Police Preferred Specification is a police backed certification scheme. The second asks for more than the first. Buying a PAS 24 door means the product was tested to a specific security specification, while a Secured by Design product must also have independent third party certification, regular re-testing and annual inspection of the factory.

Why these marks appear on quotes

People buying a new front door, back door or replacement windows see these terms on brochures and quotes but rarely know what they prove. Installers highlight them to show that their products offer a recognised level of security. They are used to demonstrate that the door or window is built to resist casual or opportunistic burglars.

The marks apply to the whole doorset, rather than just the wooden or composite slab. Secured by Design describes a doorset as the door, frame, locks, fittings and glazing, and says doorsets which allow direct access to your home should meet the Police Preferred Specification.

Understanding the difference between the two marks helps you decide what you are actually paying for. It also helps you understand whether a PAS 24 door is the same as a police approved door, and whether your specific home requires one by law.

What PAS 24 is

PAS 24 is a certifiable Product Assessment Specification published by BSI. It specifies test methods and acceptance criteria relevant to the enhanced security performance of doorsets and windows. The standard covers how to test and assess these products to ensure they can resist casual or opportunistic burglars.

The current version is PAS 24:2022, which was published on 30 September 2022. This updated document replaces the older PAS 24:2016 standard.

A passed test is a one off event. Secured by Design says a passed test does not ensure that the product tested is the same as the mainstream manufactured item. It is the preferred route to compliance with the UK version of the BS EN 1627 security standard.

What Secured by Design adds

Secured by Design is a police backed certification scheme. Secured by Design itself does not carry out any testing on doors or windows. Instead, it requires products to be independently tested to a relevant security standard and then fully certified by an independent third party UKAS certification body. Products can also be tested and certified by an approved body such as Sold Secure or Thatcham.

When a product achieves this, it meets the Police Preferred Specification. This certification goes beyond a one off test, because it includes ongoing auditing of production.

The Police Crime Prevention Handbook advises that if you are replacing your door you should always fit a security accredited product to a standard such as PAS 24:2022. These products are tested to British Standards and approved by the insurance industry, and Secured by Design accredits such products.

Why third party certification matters

A passed test does not ensure that the product tested is the same as the mainstream manufactured item. Independent certification is important to ensure continuity of production through ongoing auditing.

This ongoing auditing requires regular visits to the factory. There is an annual inspection of the manufacturing facility to check quality controls. Products also require regular re-testing to ensure standards do not slip over time.

If the security standard changes over time, the manufacturer is expected to upgrade their products to retain certification. This is why a Secured by Design doorset offers more reassurance than a product that simply claims to meet PAS 24.

The table below compares the two main security marks found on new door quotes.

Secured by Design does not carry out any testing itself.

Approved Document Q and new homes

Approved Document Q is a building regulation for England covering security in dwellings. It was published on 5 March 2015 and last updated on 22 November 2024. This document covers the standards for doors and windows to resist physical attack by a burglar, including being sufficiently robust and fitted with appropriate hardware.

Part Q covers entrance doors, ground floor windows, easily accessible windows and roof-lights. It applies to new dwellings and buildings converted into homes. It does not apply to existing homes, extensions or replacement windows. If you are simply replacing your front door on an older house, Part Q does not legally force you to buy a PAS 24 door. The Police Crime Prevention Handbook advises fitting a security accredited product to a standard such as PAS 24:2022 if you are replacing your door.

For new builds, Secured by Design certification goes beyond the level of security called for in Part Q, which asks for testing only. You can read the full Approved Document Q rules on GOV.UK. You should always check the gov.uk wording for your own case, as building regulations differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

What the marks do not prove

These marks do not guarantee a door cannot be forced. No security standard can make a home entirely immune to a determined attack. They are designed to resist casual and opportunistic burglars who want to get in quickly and quietly.

A certified door is only secure if it is used correctly. Secured by Design points out that even the most secure doors are vulnerable if they are not locked. With a multipoint lock, that means lifting the handle and turning the key every time.

The marks also do not prove that the person fitting the door is qualified. Correct fitting by a competent installer matters as well as the certification of the product itself.

How to check a door is genuinely certified

Most member companies of the Secured by Design scheme sell non-accredited products too. You cannot assume that because a company is listed on the scheme, every door they sell is certified. You must be specific about what you are buying.

You should specify that you want a Secured by Design accredited product before the point of sale. Do this before you order, as the Secured by Design FAQ advises.

To check a claim, see whether the company is listed on the Secured by Design website. You should ask them directly if they have provided you with an SBD accredited product. When the job is finished, ask for the certificate that proves the doorset meets the standard.

Locks and cylinders on a certified door

A certified door still needs a suitable cylinder and correct fitting to remain secure. On modern uPVC and composite doors, the most common lock is a euro cylinder. This is the barrel on uPVC and composite doors where you insert the key. It controls the multipoint locking mechanism, which is the strip of hooks and bolts worked by lifting the handle. The central part of that mechanism is known as the gearbox.

A euro cylinder can be attacked by lock snapping, so ask for a snap-resistant cylinder. The standards to look for are TS007 three star, or a one-star cylinder combined with two-star security handles. Another high standard for cylinders is Sold Secure SS312 Diamond. You can learn more about these ratings in our guide to how anti snap locks work.

If you are fitting a timber door, the internal lock is usually a mortice deadlock or a sashlock, fitted inside a timber door. The standard to look for is BS3621. This is the British Standard for mortice and rim locks on timber doors, shown by a Kitemark on the lock faceplate. You might also have a night latch or rim lock, which is the surface latch often called a Yale lock. This operates via a rim cylinder on the outside. If you have multiple doors, you can ask for the locks to be keyed alike, meaning one single key opens all of them. You can compare these setups in our overview of different types of front door lock.

How the locksmith trade works for repairs

If a lock on a certified door fails, you will need a locksmith. There is no government licensing of locksmiths in the UK, meaning anyone can trade as one, which is why vetting matters. The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is the main trade association. Its approved companies are vetted, have criminal record (DBS) checks, employ locksmiths who have passed the MLA exam and are inspected regularly. This is a voluntary approval scheme, not a legal requirement.

Jobs are usually priced as labour plus parts, either by the hour or as a fixed price per job. Price is driven by the time of day, as evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays cost more. Location also plays a part, and London and the South East cost more. The type and security grade of the lock, and how entry is gained, will also affect the final price.

Many locksmiths charge no separate call-out fee but some do, and VAT may or may not be included, so you must ask. Most single lock changes and lockouts take well under an hour. A good locksmith will say whether a lock can be opened without drilling it, which is called non-destructive entry. If your home is broken into, they can provide a boarding up service to secure the property. Auto locksmiths are a separate specialism covering vehicle entry, key cutting, transponder and remote programming.

Consumer rights and avoiding common scams

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 a service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price if none was agreed, and within a reasonable time. You have a right to have poor work put right or your money back. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 there is normally a 14-day cancellation period for work arranged at home or by phone. This does not apply where the customer specifically asked for a visit for urgent repairs, although extra work sold during that visit is not covered by the exception.

For rented homes, tenants should check their tenancy agreement and get the landlord's agreement before changing locks. A landlord who changes the locks to keep a tenant out without a court order commits illegal eviction, a criminal offence. For your own situation, contact Citizens Advice or Shelter.

You should watch out for national call centres advertising as a local locksmith and passing the job to whoever is nearest. A common scam is a very low price quoted on the phone that multiplies on the doorstep. Bad traders may drill a lock that could have been opened without damage, or replace a whole multipoint mechanism when only the cylinder or gearbox had failed. Avoid traders fitting cheap cylinders at premium prices, refusing to give a price before starting, demanding cash only, providing no invoice, or arriving with no ID in an unmarked vehicle.

Questions to ask your installer

Before you agree to buy a new door or hire a locksmith to upgrade your locks, you should ask clear questions to protect yourself and your home.

• Get a total price before work starts, including parts, VAT and any out-of-hours charge.
• Ask whether they are supplying a fully certified doorset or just a standard door slab.
• Specify that you want a Secured by Design accredited product before the point of sale.
• Ask what standard the new lock meets and look for the TS007 three-star or BS3621 marks.
• Ask how entry will be gained if you are locked out, and whether drilling is likely.
• Check the business has a real local address and consistent reviews over time.
• Verify any MLA approval claim on the Master Locksmiths Association's own website.
• Ask for ID on arrival and insist on a written invoice when the job is done.

Common questions

Is a PAS 24 door required for a replacement door?

No. Approved Document Q applies to new dwellings and buildings converted into homes. In England it does not apply to existing homes, extensions or replacement windows, so it does not require a PAS 24 door for a replacement door in an existing home. The Police Crime Prevention Handbook still advises fitting a security accredited product to a standard such as PAS 24:2022. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Is PAS 24 the same as police approved?

No. PAS 24 is a test specification that a door can be tested to. Police approved means a product meets the Secured by Design Police Preferred Specification, which requires independent third party certification and ongoing factory audits.

Do these marks apply to windows as well?

Yes. In England, the building regulations for new homes cover ground floor windows, easily accessible windows and roof-lights. The Police Crime Prevention Handbook advises that easily accessible windows should meet a standard such as PAS 24:2022.

Will my home insurance insist on a certified door?

Insurers often ask what locks are fitted. You should check your own policy wording carefully to see exactly what your insurer expects you to have fitted.

Can I wait until daytime to fix a broken multipoint lock?

If the door is secure and you have another way in, the job can usually wait until the daytime rate applies. If the door will not lock at night, the repair cannot wait and you will pay an out-of-hours rate.

Next steps before you order

Taking the time to check the exact specification of your new door will help you avoid paying a premium for a product that lacks genuine certification.

• Check your quotes to see if they specifically mention a PAS 24 doorset or Secured by Design.
• Search for the installation company on the Secured by Design website to see if they are a member.
• Tell the installer in writing that you require a fully accredited product before you pay a deposit.
• Check your home insurance policy to see what lock standards they expect you to maintain.
• Ask the installer for the certificate of compliance once the door has been fitted.

If you need to upgrade the locks on an existing door to meet these high standards, take the time to find a locksmith near you who can fit the correct cylinders and handles securely.