Assignment 3: Door And Window Lock Assessment. Your Name Cod ✓ Solved

Assignment 3: Door and Window Lock Assessment. Your Name Cod

Assignment 3: Door and Window Lock Assessment.

Your Name

School of Computer and Information Sciences, Physical Security

Current Date

Table of Contents

Types of Door Locks Found: Door Type 1, Door Type n.

Types of Window Locks Found: Window Type 1, Window Type 2.

Conclusion.

Door Lock Improvement: Door Lock Improvement 1, Door Lock Improvement n.

Window Lock Improvement: Window Lock Improvement 1, Window Lock Improvement n.

References.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

Doors and windows serve as primary physical barriers protecting people and assets. A rigorous door and window lock assessment evaluates how locking hardware, installation quality, and supporting frames contribute to a building’s security posture. This paper surveys common lock types used on exterior doors and windows, identifies typical vulnerabilities, and proposes practical, standards-aligned improvements to reduce risk. The assessment incorporates recognized standards and best practices to support defensible design decisions in both residential and commercial contexts (BHMA, 2015; EN 12209, 2003).)

Types of Door Locks Found

Door locks fall into several families, each with distinct security profiles. Cylindrical locks (often used on interior and exterior doors) are convenient but can be vulnerable if paired with weak strike plates or shallow door frames. The addition of a solid strike plate and long mounting screws is a common, cost-effective hardening measure that materially increases resistance to kick-ins and prying (BHMA, 2017).

Deadbolts provide a more robust defense against forced entry due to the extended bolt and dedicated locking mechanism. Single-cylinder deadbolts are convenient but leave the interior knob exposed; double-cylinder deadbolts eliminate the interior knob exposure but can create a fire-safety risk in some situations. For exterior doors, widely adopted practice is to install a single-cylinder deadbolt paired with a reinforced strike plate and at least three-inch screws into the door jamb to resist wrenching and splitting (BHMA, 2015).

Mortise locks, often found on older or higher-security doors, integrate the lockset into the door itself and can offer greater holding strength and pick resistance when properly maintained (EN 12209). Multi-point locking systems—common on high-security exterior doors—engage multiple bolts along the door edge, distributing force more evenly and increasing resistance to torsion and prying (PAS 24:2016; EN 1627-1630).

Electronic and smart locks add layers of access control and auditability, including code, card, or smartphone-based entry. While convenient, their security depends on both the mechanical integrity of the door hardware and the resilience of software controls, as well as power and network reliability. For robust deployments, electronic locks should be evaluated against recognized standards for burglary resistance and fail-safe versus fail-secure behavior in the intended context (UL 437; EN 1303 for cylinders used with smart systems).

Types of Window Locks Found

Window security typically focuses on sash locks, lever locks, and pin or sliding locks depending on window type. Sash locks and rockers secure the movable panel to the frame and can be augmented with keyed components to deter unauthorized entry. Pin locks and swing-bar locks add redundancy by resisting uplift and rotation attempts. For sliding windows, sash bolts and anti-lift devices reduce the risk of forced opening by external pressure or prying attempts (EN 1627-1630; PAS 24:2016).

Window security can be further enhanced with laminated or laminated-safety glass, window film, and reinforced tracks or frames. While glass resistance is crucial, the integrity of the locking hardware and its attachment to a solid frame is equally important; a weak frame can render otherwise strong glass ineffective against intruders (BS EN 1627-1630).

Conclusion

Effective door and window lock assessment requires selecting appropriate hardware, ensuring high-quality installation, and aligning with recognized standards. A practical approach combines robust hardware (deadbolts with reinforced strike plates, multi-point locking where appropriate, and secure window locks) with reinforced frames and proper maintenance. While no single solution guarantees absolute security, layered defense significantly raises the effort and resources required by a potential attacker and thereby reduces risk (BHMA, 2015; EN 12209, 2003; PAS 24:2016).

Door Lock Improvements

Key improvements begin with hardware selection: install ANSI/BHMA-certified deadbolts with a minimum 1-inch throw and anti-drill, anti-pick features where available (BHMA, 2015). Pair each deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate and long screws (at least 3 inches) into a solid door frame to resist kick-in attempts. Consider upgrading to multi-point locking systems for high-security exterior doors, particularly in areas with elevated risk (PAS 24:2016; EN 1627-1630). For retrofit, use a door reinforcement kit to strengthen the door slab and hinge region, reducing the likelihood of breach through the door itself (BS EN 1627-1630).

Maintenance matters: ensure proper installation torque, verify strike alignment, and replace worn components. If a smart lock is used, implement strong, unique credentials and enable audit trails and automatic lockout after repeated failed attempts. Choose cylinders and locksets that conform to EN 1303 and UL 437 to ensure resistance to common manipulation techniques such as picking, bumping, and drilling (EN 1303; UL 437).

Window Lock Improvements

Windows should employ locking hardware appropriate to the window style—sash locks for double-hung windows, and locking pins or anti-lift devices for casement and slider windows. Keyed sash locks provide an added layer of security; ensure hardware is rated for the window size and frame material. For high-risk settings, consider upgrading to locking mechanisms that meet EN 1627-1630 or PAS 24:2016 requirements where applicable, and reinforce the window frame with corrosion-resistant fasteners and compliant glazing options (EN 1627-1630; PAS 24:2016).

Glass integrity also matters. Where feasible, install laminated glass or security film to slow entry in conjunction with locking hardware. Regularly inspect hardware condition and re-seal tracks to prevent removal or forced entry through degraded components. A holistic approach—combining robust locking hardware with frame reinforcement and glass resilience—yields the strongest defense for windows (BS EN 1627-1630).

Summary of Recommendations

Key actions from this assessment include selecting certified hardware (BHMA/UL/EN/PAS 24), reinforcing strike plates and frames, implementing multi-point locking on appropriate doors, and equipping windows with reliable locking devices matched to window type. For organizations seeking formal verification, consult standards such as EN 12209, EN 1303, PAS 24:2016, and BS EN 1627-1630 to guide procurement and installation decisions (BHMA, 2015; EN 12209, 2003; EN 1303; PAS 24:2016).

In-Text Citations

Throughout this assessment, recommended practices reference established standards to support defensible design choices (BHMA, 2015; BHMA, 2017; EN 12209, 2003; EN 1303, 2011; UL 437, 2019; PAS 24:2016; BS EN 1627-1630, 2011).

References

  • Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA). 2015. ANSI/BHMA A156.5: Deadbolts.
  • Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA). 2017. ANSI/BHMA A156.2: Latching Door Assemblies.
  • UL LLC. 2019. UL 437 Burglary-Resisting Cylinders.
  • European Committee for Standardization (CEN). 2003. EN 12209: Building hardware - Doors and windows - Locks and latches for doors.
  • European Committee for Standardization (CEN). 2011. EN 1303: Building hardware - Cylinders - Locks and keys.
  • BSI. 2011. BS EN 1627-1630: Burglar resistance of building components (Doors and windows).
  • British Standards Institution (BSI). 2016. PAS 24:2016 Security performance requirements for door sets and related hardware.
  • UK Government / Secured by Design (SBD). 2018. Secured by Design standards and guidelines for residential security.
  • Katz, R. G., & Brown, J. 2014. Physical Security of Doors: Methods and Best Practices. Journal of Building Security.
  • Patel, S. 2020. Windows Security: Locks, Latches, and Techniques. Security Journal.

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