THE AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS FOR SECURITY SCREENS

There are three Australian Standards that need to be met for Security Screens to meet compliance.

• AS 5039: Security Screen Doors and Window Grilles

• AS 5040: Installation of Security Screen Doors and Window Grilles

• AS 5041: Methods of Test - Security Screen Doors and Window Grilles

Security Screens V Barrier/Safety Screens

Screen doors and window screens that do not meet the Australian Standards AS 5039 and AS 5041 are simply classified as barrier screens, safety screens or fly screens, and must not be promoted, advertised, sold or considered security screens.

Barrier, safety and fly screens are great at keeping the flies out, but it is highly likely they will not withstand the attempts of a home invasion.

AS 5039: Security Screen Doors and Window Grilles

Australian Standard AS 5039 was developed by a committee of experts from the broader fenestration industry including the Australian Window Association, now the Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA), Master Builders Australia, Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia and the National Security Screen Association. 

AS 5039 was developed to determine requirements,  materials and performance under strength testing, providing both the security screen industry and consumers with specifications in order to meet compliance for security screening products.

AS 5039 specifies the minimum requirements for the performance of ALL types of hinged and sliding security screen doors and hinged, sliding, removable and fixed security window grilles used primarily in residential situations.

The Standard is concerned mainly with resistance to forced entry and does not address the important issues relating to egress in the case of emergency. The Standard covers movable and removable security window grilles that can be used in such instances.

AS 5039 is intended for use by regulatory authorities and all persons concerned with the manufacture, installation and general requirements of security screen doors or window grilles and gives protection to consumers. 

For products to conform to this Standard, they must be tested by an accredited laboratory in accordance with the following Australian Standards, AS 5041 and AS 5040.

Look for the AS 5039 Compliance Label.  If it's labelled, it's compliant.

AS 5040: Installation of Security Screen Doors and Window Grilles

While a security screen must be manufactured to meet the Australian Standards AS 5039, Australian Standard AS 5040 provides installers of security screen doors or window grilles with specifications covering the general requirements for installation of security screen doors or window grilles used primarily in residential situations. 

The Australian Standard AS 5040 includes installation guidelines and requirements that need to be followed when installing security screen products. 

Hinge Doors: 

Some of the requirements for a hinge door installation include:

• The clearance of the sill and head should not exceed 5mm unless to compensate for irregularities in the door opening. 

• Clearance between the lock striker and lock face should not exceed 3mm

• Lock side jamb clearance must not exceed 5mm

• Hinge side jamb clearance must not exceed 4mm

Note: Your NSSA Member may use accessories, such as doing a jamb build out, to strengthen the opening, straighten crooked jambs, or close unacceptable gaps.
 

Sliding Doors:

• Sliding Doors should be fitted with interlocks on the rear edge.

Note: Your NSSA Member may need to use accessories such as head and sill tracking or receiver channel extrusions, to ensure your tracking system is appropriate for a security installation. 

Windows: 

• To comply with the Australian Standards, any fixings that are accessible from the outside must be tamper resistant. 

Note: In some states and territories, the installer and/or security screen provider must hold a building or security licence to install security screen products in your home. Always check your installer is licensed.

AS 5041: Methods of Test - Security Screen Doors and Window Grilles

There are six tests that make up the Australian Standard AS 5041 - Methods of Test, Security Screen Doors and Window Grilles AS 5041:

The Knife Shear Test
The Knife Shear Test simulates a knife attack on your security screen. A heavy-duty trimming knife is dragged along a 250 mm line with a force of 150 N (15 kg) vertically and up to 350 N (35 kg) horizontally. The test is repeated three times – each time with a new blade, along the same line.

Impact Test
The Impact Test is designed to simulate an intruder trying to kick their way through a security door or window. The test is performed with a bag full of lead shot and sand, weighing more than 40 kg. The bag is smashed into the security screen with a force of 100 joules. The test is repeated five times.

Jemmy Test
The Jemmy Test is designed to simulate an intruder using a lever to get past the security door or window. The test is performed with a large screwdriver at all locking, hinging and fastening points. The force applied is up to 450 N (45 kg) for 20 seconds – far beyond the capability of most potential intruders. View video.

Pull Test
The Pull Test simulates an intruder trying to pull out a security screen. The security door or window must be able to withstand pulling forces of up to 2 kN (200 kg) for 20 seconds at various positions.

Probe Test
The Probe Test simulates an intruder, having created a gap, trying to get their hand inside to unlock a door or a window. A deflecting force of 1.5 kN (150 kg) is applied to each opposite side of the opening to increase the space enough to get a hand through.

Shear Test
The Shear Test simulates a cutting plier attack on a security screen. The shearing tool applies increasing pressure until the sample strand breaks. The force required to break one strand must be at least 3 kN (300 kg).

All screens that have undergone and passed ALL of the tests can then be called a security screen and should be labelled with an Australian Standards Compliance Label.