Document Q

When ensuring that homes and dwellings are safe and secure there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration. Therefore, building regulations exist to maintain minimum standards within the industry.

The security of dwellings: Document Q lays out a set of building regulations regarding the security of new residential dwellings. They are intended to minimise the access potential for casual or opportunistic intruders.

The standards set out in this document came into force in October 2015 and apply to any new building that is going to be used as a residential dwelling. This includes buildings that have previously been used as something else and have been converted into residential properties, such as warehouses, pubs, or barns.

1. Applies to ’new dwellings’ and ‘change of use’ (i.e. Converting a barn into a domestic dwelling)
2. Comes into effect from the date that the ‘work’ comes under the remit of the Local Building Control
3. Applies to doors and windows which are within two metres of ground level or accessible level surface (i.e. A flat roof or balcony etc.)
4. PVCu panels are not acceptable
5. Dimensions – when a required product is at variance with the ‘tested’ dimension – Building Control may accept the difference as it ‘being within the spirit of the law’
6. Doors – Those allowing access into the dwelling – (Main House or Flat/Garage or Communicating) to comply to PAS 24 – shown by test which includes:
   • The main door to have a door guard or chain (not appropriate for houses with wardens that require emergency access and the like).
   • Glazing – 6.8mm laminated glass / 4mm toughened glass
   • Letter plates – maximum size 255mm x 40mm and must incorporate a ‘flap’ to restrict access – not be within 400mm of a Thumb turn lock and must conform to Technical Spec TS 008:2012
   • Visibility – must be able to see callers – by clear glazing, a viewer, a window next to the door (if after breaking the glass it is within reach of the door locking device, 6.8 laminate/ 4mm tough required), audio visual or by any other means.
   • Fixing – mechanically fixed to the structure of the building
7. Windows – To be manufactured to PAS 24 standards 

Unless stated as ‘Document Q compliant’ all Jobs (Quotations or Orders) will assume a standard product is required with no Document Q upgrade.

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UPVC Windows and Doors

DECEUNINCK 2500/2800 Casement Windows

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Side Hung	808mm	1308mm		Hinge Protectors Required
Top Hung	1108mm	1108mm	Must be <= 1m2	Hinge Protectors Required

DECEUNINCK 2500/2800 Tilt & Turn Windows

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
2500/2800 Tilt & Turn Windows	1500mm	1500mm		Supplier Tested Hardware

DECEUNINCK 2500/2800 Doors

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Resi Door	905mm	2090mm	Sealed Units Only	SFS Intec Hinge / 3* Cylinder
French Door	1800mm	2150mm	Sealed Units Only	SFS Intec Hinge / 3* Cylinder

DECEUNINCK Slider24+ Inline Patio Doors

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Inline Patio	2700mm	2250mm		Supplier Tested Hardware

Aluminium Windows and Doors

SMARTS Alitherm 300 Casement Windows

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Side Hung	700mm	1200mm		Supplier Tested Hardware
Top Hung	1400mm	1200mm		Supplier Tested Hardware

SMARTS Alitherm 600 Casement Windows

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Side Hung	700mm	1200mm		Supplier Tested Hardware
Top Hung	1400mm	1200mm		Supplier Tested Hardware

SMARTS Alitherm 800 Casement Windows

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Side Hung	700mm	1200mm		Supplier Tested Hardware
Top Hung	1400mm	1200mm		Supplier Tested Hardware

SMARTS EcoFuteral

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Tilt before Turn	1250mm	2400mm		Supplier Tested Hardware

SMARTS Alitherm Plus Doors

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Resi Doors	900mm	2400mm		Supplier Tested Hardware
French Doors	1800mm	2400mm		Supplier Tested Hardware

SMARTS Alitherm Heritage Doors

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Resi Doors	900mm	2215mm		Supplier Tested Hardware
French Doors	1800mm	2215mm		Supplier Tested Hardware

SMARTS Visofold 1000 Bi-Folding Doors

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
Doors	2700mm	2500mm		Supplier Tested Hardware

SMARTS Visoglide Plus Inline Sliding Doors

Product Type	Max Width	Max Height	Exclusions	Extra above standards to achieve compliance
2 – Pane	2800mm	2400mm		Supplier Tested Hardware
3 – Pane	3600mm	2400mm		Supplier Tested Hardware