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Understanding Security Ratings A Comprehensive Guide

Security ratings are essential in helping people choose the right product for their area. In this guide, we'll break down the main security ratings which are mainly encompassed into two primary categories: forced entry ratings and bulletproof ratings.

Forced entry ratings measure a product's resistance to break-in attempts using tools and physical force. These ratings, often determined by standards like EN 1627 or LPS 1175, range from basic protection against opportunistic attacks with simple tools to advanced protection against skilled intruders using sophisticated equipment. 

Bulletproof ratings, on the other hand, classify materials based on their ability to withstand ballistic impacts from firearms. The UL 752 standard is widely used, with levels ranging from Level 1 to Level 10. Lower levels offer protection against small-caliber handguns, while higher levels provide resistance against more powerful firearms, including rifles and military-grade weapons. 

Resistance Classes According to EN 1627

EN 1627 classifies windows, doors, and shutters based on their resistance to burglary attempts. These classifications, known as resistance classes (RC), range from RC1 to RC6, with each class offering different levels of protection.

  • Resistance Classes: Categorized from RC1 to RC6 according to EN 1627.
    • RC1:
      • Description: Basic protection against opportunistic attacks.
      • Details: This class offers the minimum resistance to burglars. It can withstand minimal attempts to break in using physical force, such as kicking, shoulder charging, or attempting to lift or pull open the window or door. There is no specific tool resistance required for this class.
      • Typical Use: Residential buildings in low-risk areas.
    • RC2:
      • Description: Protection against simple tools and basic attempts.
      • Details: Offers protection against casual burglary attempts using simple tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and wedges. The resistance time for this class is usually 3 minutes. It provides a higher level of security compared to RC1 by resisting more common and straightforward attack methods.
      • Typical Use: Residential homes and apartments.
    • RC3:
      • Description: Protection against more advanced tools and techniques.
      • Details: Designed to resist burglars who are using more advanced tools like crowbars and drills. The resistance time for this class is approximately 5 minutes. This class is suitable for environments where a higher risk of burglary is anticipated.
      • Typical Use: Residences in high-risk areas, small businesses.
    • RC4:
      • Description: High protection, able to resist experienced burglars using heavy tools.
      • Details: This class can withstand attacks from experienced burglars using heavy-duty tools such as axes, hammers, and cordless drills. The resistance time is around 10 minutes. This level of protection is necessary for premises where high-value items are stored.
      • Typical Use: High-risk residential areas, jewelry stores, and other high-value commercial properties.
    • RC5:
      • Description: Superior protection against prolonged and forceful assaults.
      • Details: Provides robust protection against burglars using power tools like electric drills, saws, and grinders. The resistance time for this class is about 15 minutes. RC5 is suitable for very high-risk areas and locations where the delay to entry is crucial.
      • Typical Use: Banks, military facilities, data centers, and other critical infrastructure.
    • RC6:
      • Description: Maximum protection, suitable for high-security environments.
      • Details: Offers the highest level of resistance against burglary attempts using high-powered tools over a prolonged period. The resistance time is approximately 20 minutes. This class is intended for the highest security needs where maximum delay in entry is critical.
      • Typical Use: Government buildings, embassies, high-security military and industrial facilities.

Applications

  • High-Crime Areas: Properties in areas with high crime rates.
  • Sensitive Locations: Buildings requiring strict security measures.

Resistance Ratings According to UL 752

UL 752 classifies bullet-resistant materials based on their ability to withstand ballistic attacks. These classifications, known as Levels, range from Level 1 to Level 10, with each level providing different degrees of bullet resistance.

Resistance Levels: Categorized from Level 1 to Level 10 according to UL 752.

  • Level 1:

    • Description: Protection against small-caliber handguns.
    • Details: This level can withstand shots from 9mm handguns. It provides basic bullet resistance and is suitable for areas where threats from small firearms are minimal.
    • Typical Use: Residential and commercial buildings in low-risk areas.

  • Level 2:

    • Description: Protection against larger-caliber handguns.
    • Details: Offers resistance to .357 Magnum handgun shots. It provides a higher level of security compared to Level 1.
    • Typical Use: Residential homes and businesses.

  • Level 3:

    • Description: Protection against high-powered handguns.
    • Details: Designed to resist .44 Magnum handgun shots. This level is suitable for environments anticipating higher threats from powerful handguns.
    • Typical Use: High-risk residential areas, small businesses.

  • Level 4:

    • Description: Protection against rifles.
    • Details: Can withstand shots from .30-06 caliber rifles. This level offers significant resistance and is intended for locations requiring protection from rifle attacks.
    • Typical Use: High-risk areas, military facilities, and sensitive commercial properties.

  • Level 5:

    • Description: Protection against high-velocity rifles.
    • Details: Provides resistance to 7.62mm rifle shots. It is suitable for very high-risk areas where there is a threat of powerful rifle attacks.
    • Typical Use: Banks, data centers, military installations.

  • Level 6:

    • Description: Enhanced protection against high-powered rifles.
    • Details: Can withstand shots from 7.62mm rifle with increased velocity. Offers robust protection in extremely high-risk environments.
    • Typical Use: Government buildings, high-security military and industrial facilities.

  • Level 7:

    • Description: Maximum protection against high-powered rifles with greater velocity.
    • Details: Designed to resist 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifle shots with armor-piercing capabilities. This level is intended for the highest security needs.
    • Typical Use: Embassies, high-security government buildings.

  • Levels 8-10:

    • Description: Highest level of protection against military-grade weaponry.
    • Details: These levels provide resistance against multiple shots from military-grade weapons, including high-velocity armor-piercing rounds.
    • Typical Use: Critical infrastructure, high-security military and industrial facilities.

Resistance Ratings According to LPS 1175

LPS 1175 classifies physical security products based on their resistance to forced entry. These classifications, known as Security Ratings (SR), range from SR1 to SR8, with each rating providing different levels of protection.

Security Ratings: Categorized from SR1 to SR8 according to LPS 1175.

  • SR1:

    • Description: Basic protection against opportunistic attacks.
    • Details: This rating offers minimal resistance to basic tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. It is suitable for low-risk areas.
    • Typical Use: Residential properties in low-crime areas.

  • SR2:

    • Description: Enhanced protection against more determined attacks.
    • Details: Provides resistance against basic hand tools including hammers and crowbars. This rating is suitable for residential and low-risk commercial properties.
    • Typical Use: Homes, small businesses.

  • SR3:

    • Description: Protection against more advanced tools.
    • Details: Designed to resist tools such as drills and heavy-duty cutting equipment. This rating is suitable for areas where a higher level of security is required.
    • Typical Use: High-risk residential areas, commercial properties.

  • SR4:

    • Description: High protection against experienced attackers.
    • Details: Can withstand attacks using tools such as sledgehammers and power tools. This rating is necessary for premises storing high-value items.
    • Typical Use: High-value commercial properties, sensitive residential areas.

  • SR5:

    • Description: Superior protection against prolonged and forceful attacks.
    • Details: Offers robust protection against heavy-duty power tools and other advanced entry techniques.
    • Typical Use: Banks, data centers, military facilities.

  • SR6:

    • Description: Maximum protection against highly determined attackers.
    • Details: Designed to resist a wide range of power tools and techniques over an extended period.
    • Typical Use: Government buildings, critical infrastructure.

  • SR7:

    • Description: Protection against sustained and sophisticated attacks.
    • Details: Provides resistance against multiple high-powered tools used simultaneously.
    • Typical Use: High-security government and military facilities.

  • SR8:

    • Description: Ultimate protection against the most sophisticated attacks.
    • Details: Offers the highest level of resistance against the most advanced and prolonged forced entry attempts.
    • Typical Use: High-security military and industrial facilities, critical national infrastructure.

Applications

  • High-Crime Areas: Properties in areas with high crime rates.
  • Sensitive Locations: Buildings requiring strict security measures.

At Iron Villa, we offer a range of high-security windows and doors tailored to meet the toughest security standards. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how we can help safeguard your property.