If you’ve ever been overlooked for a project at the tendering stage, Secured by Design might just be the reason. In this blog post we look at what the Secured by Design scheme is, why it’s important and how you can join…

Just like Willy Wonker, some clients set tough criteria before you can enter the gates. For the Wonker chocolate factory it was a Golden Ticket. For some building projects it’s being a member of the Secured by Design scheme and having products which have been awarded ‘Police Preferred Status’. In fact, more and more often specifiers and main contractors are requiring window and door fabricators to be members of the SBD scheme, before they will consider them as suppliers.

What is the Secured by Design Scheme?

Secured by Design (SBD) is the flagship UK police initiative to ‘design out’ crime through the use of high-quality, innovative products and services.

But it’s about more than just having good locks and strong doors.

SBD have worked with the Government to make crime prevention part of the planning process. Special ‘Designing Out Crime’ Officers now work closely with architects, developers and local authority planners at the design stage to design out crime.

This involves both improving the physical security of buildings and incorporating crime prevention techniques in the layout and landscaping of the immediate surroundings. For example, good lighting clear sightlines, passive surveillance by residents from their windows or balcony and no recesses where criminals could hide.

SBD principles can be used on both residential and commercial projects, from houses and student accommodation blocks, to offices, schools and retail outlets.

Why is SBD important?

The principles of Secured by Design have been proven to reduce both the risk of crime and the fear of crime, and provide safe places to live, work, shop and visit.

In fact, in West Yorkshire, research demonstrated that newly built developments built to Secured by Design standards are up to 75% less likely to be burgled.

And in Glasgow, research demonstrated that refurbished developments employing Secured by Design principles are up to 63% less likely to experience crime.

What are the benefits of SBD for window and door fabricators?

The main benefit of joining SBD is that your company could then be considered for jobs where SBD is a requirement.

But being a member of SBD means you can also display the logo on your website and marketing materials, giving confidence to your customers that your products are secure.

How can Fabricators join the Secured by Design Scheme?

To become an SBD member, the products you fabricate will need to be tested or evaluated to show effective security or crime prevention benefit.

The first step is to contact Secured by Design via their website www.securedbydesign.com

You will be assigned to one of SBD’s Development Officers who will then guide you through the complete process. This includes:

• Helping you through the technical process of achieving product testing and certification
• Visiting your factory and warehouse to meet you, your team and see how the products are fabricated

Once your membership has been confirmed, you will still be able to contact your assigned Development Officer for ongoing support and guidance, including visits, throughout your membership.

You will then be able to display the SBD logo next to any products which have been awarded ‘Police Preferred Status.’

And of course, bid for jobs where SBD is a requirement!

How can Fabricators improve their chances of becoming SBD members?

The most obvious way is to choose a fenestration systems supplier that is already a member of Secured by Design, and whose products have been awarded ‘Police Preferred Status’. This means that if you fabricate their products in the correct way, you will be able to meet SBD’s ‘Police Preferred Specification of 3rd party’ certification. 

Senior Architectural Systems are current members of Secured By Design and a full list of our products which have been awarded ‘Police Preferred Status’ can be found on the SBD website. More products will be added as testing continues and new products are launched.

If you would like to know more about Senior’s products with ‘Police Preferred Status’ or about how to become a member of the Secured by Design scheme, please contact your local Technical Sales Manager.