What Is PAS 24?
PAS 24 is a British Standards Institution (BSI) publicly available specification that sets minimum security requirements for doors and windows in residential buildings. The full title — PAS 24:2022 Enhanced Security Performance Requirements for Doorsets and Windows in the UK — tells you a good deal about its purpose. It establishes a baseline level of physical attack resistance that door and window products must meet before they can be considered secure enough for new-build dwellings.
The standard was first published in 1999 and has been updated several times since, with the most recent revision in 2022. It applies to all external doorsets including front doors, back doors, French doors and sliding patio doors. For homeowners navigating the world of security standards, PAS 24 is often the first certification they encounter — but it is far from the last word in entrance door security.
PAS 24 is the minimum security standard required by Building Regulations for new residential properties in England and Wales.
How PAS 24 Testing Works
PAS 24 testing is carried out by an independent, UKAS-accredited laboratory. The doorset — meaning the door leaf, frame, hardware and locking mechanism as a complete unit — is subjected to a series of standardised tests designed to simulate the methods used by opportunistic burglars.
The Test Sequence
The testing protocol includes several distinct phases:
Manipulation testing assesses whether the locking mechanism can be defeated using tools inserted between the door and frame, or through the letterplate. Testers use implements such as wire, tape and hooked tools to reach and manipulate the lock from outside.
Mechanical loading applies static and dynamic forces to the door at its weakest points — typically around the lock, hinges and the centre of the door leaf. Hydraulic rams push against the door to test deflection and resistance. A 50kg sandbag pendulum delivers repeated impacts to simulate kicking and shoulder-barging.
Manual attack testing is the final phase. A trained operative uses a defined tool set — including screwdrivers, pliers, wedges and a small crowbar — to attempt forced entry. The attack is time-limited, typically to three minutes of active working time. If the operative cannot gain entry or create an opening large enough to reach the internal hardware, the door passes.
It is worth noting that the tools permitted in PAS 24 testing are deliberately limited. They represent what a casual or opportunistic burglar might carry. Heavy-duty equipment such as angle grinders, drills with masonry bits, and large crowbars are not part of the PAS 24 test protocol.
PAS 24 and Building Regulations
Since 2015, Approved Document Q of the Building Regulations for England has required all doors and accessible windows in new dwellings to meet PAS 24 or an equivalent standard. This applies to:
- New-build houses and flats
- Dwellings created through a change of use (e.g. office-to-residential conversions)
- Extensions that create new ground-floor entrance points
The requirement does not automatically apply to replacement doors in existing dwellings, though your local authority may impose conditions — particularly in areas across London and the Home Counties where burglary rates are above the national average.
For the purposes of Approved Document Q, a doorset that has been tested and certified to PAS 24:2022 is considered to satisfy the security requirement. However, it is important to understand that this is a minimum threshold, not a recommendation or a mark of excellence.
Approved Document Q sets PAS 24 as the regulatory floor, not the ceiling of residential door security.
PAS 24 vs SR Ratings: Understanding the Difference
This is where many homeowners become confused. PAS 24 and the SR (Security Rating) system under BS EN 1627:2011 are different standards with different testing protocols, tool sets and performance expectations. They are not interchangeable.
The SR Classification System
The European standard BS EN 1627 defines six resistance classes, commonly referred to as SR1 through SR6. Each class specifies progressively more severe attack methods:
SR1 — Resists bodily force only. No tools permitted in testing. Roughly comparable to the lower end of PAS 24.
SR2 — Resists attack with simple hand tools (screwdrivers, pliers, wedges). Three minutes of active attack time. Broadly comparable to PAS 24, though the testing methodology differs.
SR3 — Resists attack with heavy-duty tools including crowbars up to 750mm, drills, chisels and angle grinders. Five minutes of active attack time with professional-grade equipment. This is the highest rating commercially available for residential entrance doors.
SR4 to SR6 — Military, government and high-security commercial applications. Not applicable to standard residential properties.
Key Differences
The critical distinction between PAS 24 and SR3 lies in the severity of the simulated attack. PAS 24 tests against opportunistic intrusion using limited tools over a short period. SR3 tests against determined, professional-level attack using tools that could defeat most standard doors within seconds.
A door that passes PAS 24 testing may offer no meaningful resistance to a burglar equipped with a large crowbar or battery-powered angle grinder. An SR3-rated door is independently proven to withstand exactly that scenario.
SR3 testing permits tools that PAS 24 does not — including angle grinders, drills with masonry bits and crowbars exceeding 600mm in length.
When Is PAS 24 Required?
Understanding when PAS 24 certification is legally required helps you determine whether it is sufficient for your project:
PAS 24 Is Mandatory For:
- New-build dwellings — all external doors and accessible windows must meet PAS 24 under Approved Document Q
- Change-of-use conversions — converting commercial or industrial premises to residential use
- Material alterations that create new vulnerable entry points
- Social housing projects — most housing associations specify PAS 24 as a minimum
PAS 24 Is Not Mandatory For:
- Replacement doors in existing dwellings (unless local planning conditions apply)
- Listed buildings — though conservation officers may have separate requirements
- Properties in Surrey and Buckinghamshire conservation areas where design takes precedence over standardised specifications
Even where PAS 24 is not legally required, it represents a sensible minimum for any entrance door. The question is whether a minimum standard is appropriate for your property, your location and your risk profile.
The Limitations of PAS 24
PAS 24 was designed as a regulatory baseline — a way to ensure that the cheapest doors fitted to new-build estates still offer some resistance to casual break-in attempts. It was never intended to represent the gold standard in residential security.
What PAS 24 Does Not Test
Sustained attack — the manual attack phase is limited to approximately three minutes. A determined burglar will spend longer.
Professional tools — angle grinders, reciprocating saws, heavy-duty crowbars and battery drills are excluded from the test protocol. These are readily available from any hardware shop.
Lock manipulation — while basic manipulation is tested, sophisticated lock-picking and bumping techniques are not comprehensively assessed.
Frame integrity under prolonged force — the static and dynamic loading tests assess deflection but do not replicate the kind of sustained levering that a professional burglar applies to a door frame over several minutes.
A PAS 24-certified composite door, for example, will resist a casual kick-in attempt. It will not resist a burglar who arrives with a crowbar and two minutes of uninterrupted time. For properties in high-value areas, PAS 24 alone is insufficient as a security measure.
Why SR3 Exceeds PAS 24
For homeowners who take security seriously — particularly those with properties in affluent areas across London, Surrey and Buckinghamshire — the gap between PAS 24 and SR3 is significant.
The SR3 Advantage
Every door in our collection achieves SR3 certification as standard, tested to BS EN 1627:2011 by an independent accredited laboratory. This means:
- Five minutes of sustained attack with professional-grade tools, compared to three minutes with basic tools under PAS 24
- Angle grinder resistance — the door leaf and frame withstand cutting attempts
- Heavy crowbar resistance — tested against levering forces that would defeat most PAS 24 doors within seconds
- Multi-point locking — high-security locking systems that engage at multiple points around the frame perimeter
Combined with Secured by Design accreditation (the official UK police security initiative) and ISO 9001 certified manufacturing processes, SR3 represents a fundamentally different level of protection.
Every SteelR entrance door is SR3-rated as standard, not as an upgrade — providing the highest level of physical security commercially available for a residential entrance door.
The Insurance Consideration
Many home insurance providers recognise the difference between PAS 24 and SR3. Properties with SR3-rated entrance doors may qualify for reduced premiums, particularly in areas with higher-than-average burglary rates. Some high-net-worth insurers now specifically ask about door security ratings as part of their underwriting criteria.
Choosing the Right Standard for Your Property
The right security standard depends on your circumstances. Here is a practical framework:
PAS 24 is appropriate if you are building to the minimum standard required by regulations, fitting doors to a rental property, or working within a tight budget on a lower-risk property.
SR3 is appropriate if you own a high-value property, live in an area with above-average burglary risk, store valuables at home, want the peace of mind that comes with independently certified professional-grade security, or simply refuse to compromise on the integrity of your home.
For a detailed comparison of testing methods and certification levels, see our complete security specification page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PAS 24 the same as Secured by Design?
No. PAS 24 is a product testing standard, while Secured by Design is a police-backed accreditation scheme. A product can be PAS 24 certified without carrying Secured by Design approval. Secured by Design assesses the complete doorset in context and requires ongoing compliance auditing.
Do I need a PAS 24 door if I am replacing my front door?
Not legally, in most cases. Approved Document Q only applies to new dwellings and change-of-use conversions. However, PAS 24 should be considered a sensible minimum for any replacement entrance door, and SR3 is recommended for higher-value properties.
Can a composite door achieve SR3?
In practice, no. The material properties of composite doors — typically a foam-filled GRP shell over a timber frame — limit their resistance to professional-grade tools. SR3 certification for residential entrance doors is effectively exclusive to steel construction.
How do I verify that a door is genuinely PAS 24 certified?
Ask the manufacturer for the test report number and the name of the accredited testing laboratory. Genuine PAS 24 certification comes with documentation from a UKAS-accredited body. Be wary of claims such as "PAS 24 equivalent" or "designed to PAS 24" — these are not the same as tested and certified.
Does PAS 24 cover fire resistance?
No. PAS 24 tests physical security only. Fire resistance is assessed under separate standards (BS 476 or BS EN 1634). If you need both security and fire protection — for example in a flat, HMO or new-build — you need a door tested to both standards independently.
What is the difference between PAS 24:2016 and PAS 24:2022?
The 2022 revision updated certain test procedures and tightened requirements around cylinder security and letter plate manipulation resistance. Doors certified to the 2022 standard offer marginally improved protection, but the fundamental scope and tool set remain similar. The core limitation — that PAS 24 tests against opportunistic rather than professional attack — is unchanged.
