We are often asked about insurance requirements for external doors and we are always keen to stress the importance of British Standard locks being fitted in all situations.
Not only do they offer much higher standards of security, but in most cases are a minimum requirement of many insurance policies. Failure to comply can nullify your policy.
So what is a British Standard lock and how do I know if I have them fitted?
The best way to tell is to check if the faceplate of the lock contains a kitemark logo with the BS 3621 number alongside. Without this and you need to upgrade as soon as possible.
So what makes a lock to the standard of BS3621 and what is different. Well, the lock must have a mininum of 5 levers or pin tumblers and the screws must not be accessible when the door is closed, to make it much harder to tamper with.
For insurance purposes the locks in all your external doors should be BS 3621 but please note that if you have more than one lock on the door, only one of these has to be BS3621.
We urge you to check your door locks today and make sure they are up to standard. If not and you need to upgrade, we’d be delighted to assist on this or any aspect of home security.
Please either contact us or phone 0800 999 2828 today for advice and guidance.