Approved Document Q: Security – Dwellings 2015 Edition
Approved Document Q (2015 edition) provides statutory guidance on how to satisfy Requirement Q1 of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010. Issued by HM Government, this document took effect on 1 October 2015 for use in England. It also applies to excepted energy buildings in Wales as defined by the Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) (No.2) Order 2009. The guidance serves as a framework for providing reasonable resistance to unauthorised access in residential environments.
The scope of this document is limited to new dwellings only, including those created through a material change of use. It specifically addresses the performance of easily accessible doors and windows that provide entry to a dwelling from the outside, or into a flat from common parts of a building. The document is structured into two main technical sections—Section 1: Doors and Section 2: Windows—alongside four appendices that define key terms and provide specifications for bespoke timber secure doorsets and referenced standards such as PAS 24:2012 and BS EN 356.
Professional users must ensure that building work is carried out in a workmanlike manner using adequate and proper materials as per Regulation 7. While the solutions in this document provide a presumption of compliance, alternative methods may be used if discussed with a building control body.
Requirement Q1: Unauthorised Access
The legal requirement states that reasonable provision must be made to resist unauthorised access to any dwelling and any part of a building from which access can be gained to a flat. Compliance is achieved if doors and windows are sufficiently robust and fitted with appropriate hardware to resist physical attack by a casual or opportunist burglar.
- Easily accessible: Defined as a window or doorway within 2m vertically of an accessible level surface (ground level, basement, or access balcony).
- Roof access: Includes windows within 2m vertically of a flat or sloping roof with a pitch of less than 30° that is within 3.5m of ground level.
Section 1: Secure Doorsets
All easily accessible doorsets, including garage doorsets and communal entrance doorsets, should be secure doorsets. If a garage has no interconnecting door to the dwelling, the garage door itself does not need to meet these security standards.
- Design Standards: Doorsets should meet PAS 24:2012, STS 201 Issue 5:2013, LPS 1175 Issue 7:2010 security rating 2, or STS 202 Issue 3:2011 burglary rating 2.
- Letter plates: Must have a maximum aperture of 260mm x 40mm and be designed to hinder key removal with sticks or hand insertion.
- Main doors: Primary entrance doors should include a door viewer and a door chain or door limiter, except in specific cases like sheltered housing where warden access is required.
Section 2: Secure Windows
Windows located at ground floor, basement, or other easily accessible locations (including rooflights) must meet specific security requirements to resist criminal attack.
- Standards: Compliance is demonstrated by meeting PAS 24:2012, STS 204 Issue 3:2012, LPS 1175 Issue 7:2010 security rating 1, or LPS 2081 Issue 1:2015 security rating A.
- Installation: Frames must be mechanically fixed to the building structure following the manufacturer's specific installation instructions.
Appendix B: Bespoke Timber Secure Doorsets
Timber doorsets not tested to standard specifications may be considered secure if they meet the material and dimension requirements outlined in Appendix B for doors up to 1000mm wide and 2000mm high.
- Material: Manufactured from solid or laminated timber with a minimum density of 600kg/m³.
- Dimensions: Door rails, stiles, and muntins must be at least 44mm thick. Any panel within the doorset must be at least 15mm thick with the smaller dimension being 230mm or less.
- Locking systems: Main doors must feature a multipoint locking system meeting PAS 3621, PAS 8621, or PAS 10621. Alternatively, a mortice lock and surface-mounted rim lock to BS 3621 (or similar) may be used with 400–600mm spacing between locking points.
- Glazing: Any glass that could permit lock release if broken must be a minimum of class P1A in accordance with BS EN 356:2000.
Installation and Fixing
Correct installation is required to ensure the structural integrity of the security features. Special provisions apply to non-traditional wall constructions.
- Mechanical fixing: All door and window frames must be mechanically fixed to the structure.
- Lightweight framed walls: Must incorporate a resilient layer to prevent break-through and access to the locking system. This layer should be at least 9mm thick timber sheathing or expanded metal, extending the full height of the door and 600mm on either side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Approved Document Q apply to home extensions?
No, the guidance in Approved Document Q applies only to new dwellings and dwellings formed by a material change of use.
What are the maximum dimensions for a letter plate under AD Q?
Letter plates must have a maximum aperture of 260mm x 40mm and must be designed to prevent the retrieval of keys using sticks.
What is considered an 'easily accessible' window?
A window is easily accessible if any part of it is within 2m vertically of the ground, a basement level, or an access balcony, or within 2m of a flat or shallow-pitched roof (<30°) that is within 3.5m of ground level.
What glazing standard is required for secure doorsets?
If glass breakage would allow someone to release the internal lock, the glazing must be at least class P1A according to BS EN 356:2000.
Are door chains mandatory for all new dwellings?
Main entrance doors should have a door chain or limiter, though these may be inappropriate in sheltered housing where emergency warden access is necessary; alternative caller-identification systems can be used.
What are the material requirements for bespoke timber doorsets?
Bespoke timber doorsets should be made from solid or laminated timber with a minimum density of 600kg/m³ and stiles/rails at least 44mm thick.
How should frames be secured to the building structure?
Frames for both doors and windows must be mechanically fixed to the structure in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.
What security standard must a new window meet?
Secure windows should be tested to PAS 24:2012 or meet equivalent standards such as STS 204, LPS 1175 (rating 1), or LPS 2081 (rating A).
