LPS 1175 vs PAS 24 vs Secured by Design: What’s the Difference?

It is easy to see why PAS 24, LPS 1175 and Secured by Design are sometimes confused. They often appear together on door specifications, but they do different jobs. PAS 24 and LPS 1175 set out ways to test resistance to forced entry, while Secured by Design is a police-owned initiative that accredits products meeting recognised security standards.

Understanding the difference can make choosing a security door much simpler. It helps you see what has actually been tested, which types of attack the door is designed to resist and whether the certified configuration matches the door you want to buy. Crucially, PAS 24 should not be mistaken for the highest available security standard. An LPS 1175 SR3-rated doorset faces a substantially more demanding forced-entry test. 

What Is PAS 24?

PAS 24 is a Product Assessment Specification published by BSI. The current edition is PAS 24:2022+A1:2024. It sets out how new doorsets and windows should be tested against the methods normally used by casual or opportunistic burglars.

The complete product is tested as manufactured, rather than looking at the lock, frame or door leaf separately. PAS 24 can apply to products made from different materials and covers a range of door and window types.

Unlike LPS 1175, PAS 24 does not offer several increasingly demanding attack ratings. A product either passes or fails. It provides a useful minimum security benchmark for its intended applications, but it is not the highest measure of resistance to forced entry and should not be presented as equivalent to LPS 1175 SR3. 

PAS 24 is widely used for residential work and is a recognised route under Approved Document Q for new dwellings in England. Requirements differ elsewhere in the UK, so it is worth checking the rules for your location and project.

What Is LPS 1175?

LPS 1175 covers intruder-resistant building components, including doors, windows, barriers, security enclosures and strongpoints. It is maintained through the Loss Prevention Certification Board, which is part of BRE. Certified products can be checked in the LPCB RedBook.

The current Issue 8.2 classification makes it easier to see the type of attack a product has resisted. A letter from A to H identifies the category of tools used during testing, while a number shows the minimum delay in minutes: 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 or 20.

For example, a C5 rating means that the product resisted attacks using category C tools for at least five minutes of working time. This refers to the time spent actively attacking the product, rather than the total length of the test.

You may also come across older Security Rating labels. A1 corresponds with SR1, B3 with SR2, C5 with SR3, D10 with SR4 and E10 with SR5. Looking at the full rating gives you a clearer picture because it shows both the tool category and the delay achieved.

SR3, represented as C5 under the current classification, is considerably tougher to achieve than a PAS 24 pass. It is designed around a more determined and better-equipped attacker, using a more capable toolkit and sustained attack methods. Stronghold Security Doors therefore holds LPS 1175 SR3 certification rather than PAS 24 certification, providing independently verified resistance at this significantly more demanding level. 

LPS 1175 vs PAS 24

The most important difference in LPS 1175 vs PAS 24 is the severity of the forced-entry test. PAS 24 is intended to assess resistance to casual or opportunistic burglary in homes and buildings facing a comparable risk. LPS 1175 covers a much wider range of threats. At SR3, the testing represents a determined intruder who is prepared to use more capable tools, make considerable noise and persist with the attack.

For this reason, PAS 24 and LPS 1175 SR3 should not be described as equal alternatives. PAS 24 is a useful residential baseline, while SR3 represents a far higher level of tested break-in resistance. There are ratings above SR3 within LPS 1175, so SR3 is not the highest rating in that standard either. However, it is substantially more demanding than PAS 24.

The door should suit the likely threat, the tools an intruder might use, the expected response time and the other security measures around the property.

What Is Secured by Design?

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official police security initiative owned by the UK Police Service. It accredits products and services that meet recognised security standards. Products awarded Police Preferred Specification are backed by independent testing and third-party certification.

Secured by Design is not another laboratory test, nor does it replace PAS 24 or LPS 1175. Instead, it recognises standards such as these within its accreditation requirements.

SBD also publishes guidance for residential and commercial developments. This looks at how doors and windows work alongside access arrangements, lighting, building layout and surveillance to reduce opportunities for crime.

You may see the phrase ‘secure by design PAS 24’ online. The correct name is Secured by Design, and PAS 24 is one route that may support SBD accreditation. Any PAS 24 secure by design description should still be checked against the current SBD product listing and certification.

Is PAS 24 the Same as Secured by Design?

No. If you have searched ‘is PAS 24 secure by design?’ or ‘is PAS 24 the same as secure by design?’, the simplest explanation is that PAS 24 is a test specification, while Secured by Design is a police accreditation scheme.

Passing PAS 24 does not automatically make a door Secured by Design accredited. The relevant product must also meet the scheme’s requirements and be accepted and listed by SBD.

Which Standard Is Right for Your Property?

For a typical home or residential development, PAS 24 may satisfy the relevant project or regulatory requirement. However, meeting PAS 24 does not mean that a door offers the highest available level of security. Where stronger protection against a determined break-in is wanted, an LPS 1175 rating provides much clearer evidence of the tools and attack duration the product has resisted.

LPS 1175 SR3 may be suitable for properties where enhanced forced-entry resistance is a priority, including higher-risk homes, communal entrances, shops holding valuable stock, commercial premises, healthcare buildings and other vulnerable sites. Stronghold’s SR3 certification demonstrates performance against a much tougher break-in test than PAS 24.

The required LPS rating should be chosen through a risk assessment, rather than simply selecting the highest available number. This gives you a level of protection that suits the property without paying for features that may not be necessary.

Before buying, ask the supplier to confirm the exact standard, issue, rating and certificate number. It is also sensible to check that the certificate covers the proposed door size, leaf arrangement, glazing, side panels, locks and access-control hardware.

Can a Door Meet Both PAS 24 and LPS 1175?

Yes, a doorset can be separately certified to both PAS 24 and LPS 1175 if it completes the required assessment and certification process for each standard. However, Stronghold holds LPS 1175 SR3 certification rather than PAS 24 certification because SR3 tests forced-entry resistance at a much more demanding level.

An SR3-rated door would be expected to provide considerably greater resistance to a determined break-in than a door that has only passed PAS 24. However, SR3 certification does not automatically create a separate PAS 24 certificate. Each certification claim must be supported by the relevant assessment and current product listing.

Ask to see the current listing for the precise doorset being supplied. Changes to the hardware, glazing or construction can sometimes place a door outside the scope of its certification.

Other Factors to Consider Beyond Certification

Forced-entry certification is an excellent place to start, but there are several other points to consider before ordering a security door:

• Installation: even a tested doorset depends on suitable fixings, a sound supporting structure and the correct fitting method.
• Fire and escape requirements: the security specification must work alongside any required fire rating and safe means of escape.
• Everyday performance: weather resistance, thermal insulation, acoustics and durability all affect how comfortable and reliable the door will be.
• The full opening: glazing, fanlights, side panels, hinges, locks and access control should all be covered by the chosen specification.

Certification gives you independent evidence of a door’s performance. The door must still suit the building, be installed correctly and work well in everyday use. A good supplier should be happy to talk through the risks, appearance, certification and practical requirements with you.

Choose a Security Door with Clear, Verified Credentials

Stronghold Security Doors combines made-to-measure design with independently tested security options for homes and commercial properties. Explore our security doors, or speak to our friendly team about the certification, configuration and finish that will work best for your property.

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