Unlocking True Protection: Understanding Security Ratings for Roller Shutters, Featuring LPS 1175

In a market flooded with claims of "high security," how do you truly know if a roller shutter will stand up to a determined attack? This is where independent security ratings become invaluable. They provide a standardized, verifiable measure of a product's resistance to forced entry. Without such ratings, businesses and homeowners risk investing in security solutions that offer only perceived, rather than actual, protection.

This is particularly crucial for:

• Commercial Security Shutters: Protecting valuable retail stock, office equipment, and sensitive data.
• Industrial Security Shutters: Securing large warehouses, factories, and equipment depots.
• High-Risk Sites: Where the threat of vandalism or forced entry is significant.
• Insurance Requirements: Many insurance providers require specific security accreditations to validate policies.

LPS 1175: The Gold Standard in Physical Security Testing

LPS 1175 is a comprehensive and highly respected standard for the burglary resistance of building components, strongpoints, and security enclosures. Developed by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), it's renowned for its practical, real-world testing methodologies. Products certified to LPS 1175 have undergone rigorous attack testing by experienced professionals using a defined range of tools for a specific duration.

The LPCB is a third-party certification body, meaning their assessments are independent and impartial. When you see a product with LPS 1175 certification, it assures you that it has been physically attacked and proven to resist forced entry under controlled conditions. This often aligns with the Police Preferred Specification, known as Secured by Design, which champions effective crime prevention.

The LPS 1175 Testing Regime: How Resistance is Proven

The testing process for LPS 1175 certified roller shutters is robust and systematic. Each security shutter model is subjected to simulated attacks using various tool categories, with the aim to create an access hole large enough for a person to pass through.

Key elements of the testing regime include:

• Attack Tools: Specific categories of tools are used, ranging from basic hand tools to more sophisticated powered tools.
• Attack Duration: Each test is limited to a pre-defined time (e.g., 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes), representing how long a burglar would have to work at a product before being disturbed or giving up.
• Skill Level: The testers simulate an attack by an experienced individual, not just a casual attempt.
• Failure Criteria: The test fails if an aperture is created that meets specific dimensions (e.g., a minimum width of 250mm for human access).

The combination of tool category and attack duration determines the Security Rating (SR).

Understanding LPS 1175 Security Ratings (SR1 to SR5)

The LPS 1175 standard classifies products into different Security Ratings (SR) based on their ability to withstand a defined attack. Higher SR numbers indicate greater resistance.