Episode 52:

Hello and Welcome to the Part3 with me podcast, 

The show that helps part 3 students jump start into their careers as qualified architects and also to provide refresher episodes for practicing architects. I am your host Maria Skoutari and this week we will be talking about Secure By Design. Todays episode meets PC3 of the Part 3 Criteria.

Firstly, lets start by defining what Secure By Design is and what it stands for:

So, Secured by Design aka as SBD, is the official police security initiative working to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safe places to live, works, shop and visit.

The reason why Secured by Design came into force was because back in the 60s, 70s and 80s, homes and buildings in general where being built cheaply with little consideration to security, which resulted in an increase in crime, particularly in burglaries. So as a response to the increase in crime and lack of home security, the Police Service set up Secured by Design in 1989 and since its launch it has significantly positively contributed to crime prevention and security. 

Secured by Design has worked alongside the Government to bring crime prevention into the planning process and establish police security standards in the building and construction industry. Secured by Design is monitored and delivered by local specialist officers known as Designing Out Crime Officers. 

These officers are the ones that architects tend to work alongside to design out crime at the design stage through implementing physical security to buildings and incorporating crime prevention techniques in the layout and landscaping of the immediate surroundings. It is typically advised for clients or the design team to contact the local Designing Out Crime Officer to discuss the development before planning is submitted.

So in terms of how SBD fits with the RIBA stages and progress of a project, typically at Stage 0, the architect would confirm with the client or the local authority whether there is requirements to achieve SBD accreditation.Then at Stage 1 the site layout and specification would be considered to achieve SBD accreditation, at Stage 2, consultations would start with Design for Security, at Stage 3 you submit the Crime Impact Statement Application alongside the planning application submission and the SBD application is submitted to Design for Security. Then at Stage 4 you may need to discharge any relevant security planning conditions and produce the SBD checklist and issue it to Design for Security. At stage 5, Design for Security is contacted for any layout or specification changes and the relevant certificates and documentation is submitted. And then at Stage 6 is the final SBD sign off and site visit and the SBD accreditation certificate is issued and finally at Stage 7 a specification of Design for security tracker should be included within the end user manual and handed to the building operator. 

Secured by Design also operated an accreditation scheme for products or services that have recognised security standards known as being of a ‘Police Preferred Specification', these products must be capable of deterring or preventing crime. It requires all security products to meet or exceed the performance expectations documented within the relevant security standard for that type of product and that is is sufficiently robust to resist attack such as burglaries. 

Now when it comes to buildings more specifically, SBD has produced a series of Design Guides to incorporate security into development to comply with Building Regulations and SBD requirements. SBD is not necessarily a mandatory initiative to be followed when designing a scheme but it can be set as a planning condition for a new development to achieve Secured by Design accreditation. Security requirements have been implemented in Approved Document Q of the Building Regulations which is concerned with the security of doors and windows, whereas SBD includes other elements of the building and their surrounding which the local authority may choose to impose on a development, or building owners themselves may choose to incorporate Secured by Design Standards in their scheme. 

To correlate with the Building Regulations and provide more robust standards, Secured by Design has developed the Secured by Design National Building Approval aka SBD NBA which provides a structured approach to discharging the UK Building Regulations. 

The SBD NBA ensures that all suppliers of door, window and roof light products meet the requirements of the Building Regulations - this minimises the possibility of delays to the build process due to non-compliance issues. Secured by Design will conduct all relevant due diligence checks on behalf of the developer throughout the lifetime of the partnership and issue a certificate of conformity with the UK Building Regulations and the Secured by Design Silver award. This police approval can be used for any future development built in accordance with the SBD NBA agreement to discharge the UK Building Regulations and is acceptable to Building Control Officers and Approved Inspectors.

Secured by Design also makes reference to the National Policy Framework in relation to the economic, social and environmental objectives for a development, as crime has a direct impact on all three objectives. The government has reiterated that designing out trim and designing in community safety should be central to the planning and delivery of new development. 

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes it clear that all local planning authorities should prepare design guides or codes consistent with the principles set out in the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code.

The National Design Guide sets out the characteristics of well-designed places of what good design means in practice in the form of ten characteristics:

The National Design Guide states that ‘careful planning and design create the right conditions for people to feel safe and secure, without the need for additional security measures. These include:

So to receive Secured by Design Accreditation, the interested party will need to apply for a Secured by Design award by filling in the relevant application form found on the secured by design website. 

The typical format of the application is set out in 3 Sections:

  1. Section 1 - Development Layout and Design: This section provides guidance on the design and layout that impact on the creation of a safe and secure environment, including road layout, footpath design, communal areas, dwelling boundaries, car parking and lighting.
  2. Section 2: Physical Security of the Home: This section provides the ‘Police Preferred Specification’ for physical security requirements for new or refurbished homes. It is divided into 2 parts; Section 2a which reflects the requirements of the English Building Regulation Q1 and the Scottish Building Regulation 4.13, and Section 2b which addresses bespoke new homes and existing homes.
  3. Section 3: Covers Additional Features for the SBD Gold Award: In addition to the essential security requirements in Section 2, Section 3 addresses the conditions for additional or optional features, such as enhanced glazing, bicycle storage, drying rooms and external bin stores.  If a development contains any of the features within Section 3, the physical security requirements must be adhered to in order to achieve the full SBD award.

So depending on which award the development is aiming for, the relevant sections will need to be filled in to meet the relevant criteria. The different awards include SBD Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Individuals who wish to apply for an SBD Award it is recommended to review the Secured by Design Homes Guidance, which I provided the link to in the episode notes. There’s also guides for other types of the developments, such as Schools, Commercial Developments and so on. 

Now to help you get a better idea of what each section of the form consists of and what information will be required for each to achieve the relevant award, lets take a closer look at the application itself. Starting with Section 01, as previously mentioned, covers the Development design and layout. This of course then has a number of subelements to be checked and confirmed during the design process and when filling in the form. There are about 12 elements to be reviewed under Section 01  which include:

  1. Roads and Footpaths: Such as through-roads and cul-de-sacs (making sure they are visually open, direct, well used and should not undermine the defensible space of neighbourhoods), footpath and bicycle route design, planting next to a footpath, seating next to a footpath, lighting of footpaths and footpaths on phased developments.
  2. Then under Section 01 are Communal areas and play spaces: As Poorly designed and specified communal areas, such as playgrounds, toddler play areas, seating facilities have the potential to generate crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour if not surveillance and enclosed appropriately. Play areas should be designed to be secured at night
  3. The next item is Dwelling Boundaries: Including front boundaries, access gates to rear gardens, side and rear boundaries to be a minimum height of 1.8m, fencing in high crime/vulnerable areas, and sub-divisional boundaries 
  4. Then we have Layout and orientation dwellings: where dwellings are positioned facing each other to allow neighbours to easily view their surroundings, enable engagement, participation and environmental control
  5. Next we have Gable end walls: it should be aimed to avoid blank, windowless elevations that tend to attract graffiti and vandalising, if a blank elevation is unavoidable 1m buffer zones should be provided.
  6. Next are Rear Access Footpaths: If they are necessary they should be gated, locked and not easily climbable.
  7. Then is Dwelling Identification: using clear signage  
  8. Climbing aids: so boundary walls, bins, street furniture and so on should be designed and located to avoid them being used as climbing aids
  9. Vehicle Parking: In high crime areas the DOCO may require the addition of a gate or bollard to protect the hard standing parking area. Rear parking courtyards should be avoided. And good natural surveillance should be provided for residents to have direct view of their cards. 
  10. 10.Bicycle Parking: Should be located adjacent to the primary building entrance and in view of occupants of the development.
  11. 11.Planting in new developments: when designed and planted appropriately, certain species of plants such as spiny or thorny shrubs can help prevent crime, anti-social behaviour, graffiti and loitering, and create or enhance perimeter security. 
  12. 12.Street Lighting: all street lighting for adopted highways, footpaths, private state roads, unadopted roads and car parks must comply with BS 5489-1:2020. 


The moving on to Section 02, Physical Security, which is split into 2 parts, Section 2a:Physical Security for new homes & Section 2b: Physical security for bespoke homes and existing refurbished homes. Starting with Section 2a: 

This part provides technical guidance on the ‘Police Preferred Specification’ for new dwellings, dwellings formed by material change of use and extensions to existing homes. The items specified under this section must be compliant with the SBD requirements and the relevant Building Regulations. The DOCO may not request evidence that the products used meet all the requirements but it is still up to the specifier to ensure their compliance with the relevant regulations. 

There are about 20 elements to be reviewed and specified under Section 02a, which include:

  1. Doorsets and windows and their fitness for purposes: which should fall under the British Standard BS6375 including PAS 24, LPS 1175 or STS 202, STS 204 and STS 222 doorsets and windows. It is important that SBD developments have the correct level of security specification for the the doorsets and windows but equally important is the durability of these units as tested against the requirements of BS6375. You probably heard of PAS 24 before, this typically means Product Assessment Specification so (PAS)24 is the enhanced security standard which covers the performance and test requirements of enhanced security windows/doorsets. 
  2. Dwelling entrance doorsets: should be certified under the standards of either PAS24, STS 201, LPS 1175, STS 202, LPS 2081 or STS 222. Any glazing within PAS 24:2016, PAS 24:2022 or STS 201 Issue 12:2020 certificated doorsets, including glazed panels/side lights adjacent to doors installed within an  integral door frame and windows adjacent to doorsets (within 400mm), must incorporate one pane of laminated glass meeting, or exceeding, the requirements of BS EN 356:2000 class P1A (Note 23.20). NB. This is a specific requirement within PAS 24:2016 and PAS 24:2022, which is referenced within the UK Building Regulations.
  3. Windows, roof windows and roof lights: Window frames must be securely fixed to the building fabric in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications. All easily accessible windows should incorporate key lockable hardware unless designated as emergency egress routes within the Building Regulations. Windows that form part of a designated fire escape route, may require non-key locking hardware. In these circumstances laminated glass to BS EN 356:2000.
  4. Conservatories and sunrooms: Where a conservatory or sunroom is installed then the doors and windows must meet the same physical security standards as doors and windows.
  5. Lightweight framed walls in houses and building containing multiple dwellings or bedrooms: Wall systems should meet the requirements of the standards set in LPS 1175 or STS 202. 
  6. Private external lighting: Where possible the lighting requirements within BS 5489-1:2020 should be applied and where possible the use of the most environmentally friendly light sources. SBD requires that only luminaires with suitable photometry serving to reduce light spill and light pollution may be used. 24-hour lighting to communal parts of blocks of flats will be required.
  7. Utility meters: utility meters should be located outside the dwelling at the front or as close to the front of the building line as possible.
  8. Access control and additional security requirements for buildings containing multiple dwellings or bedrooms: Consideration must be given to a disabled persons ability to operate heavy doors and/or reach controls or wall mounted fobs. Visitor door entry systems shall be easy to operate and understand and have the ability to display the image of the caller before the call is answered, so the resident can choose whether to answer the call or not. The access control system will have the facility to record and identify the location, user, type, time and date of every system event.
  9. Fire and Rescue Service key systems: Restricted key systems for Access Control Box or, where they are fitted in respect of access doors, lifts, smoke ventilation or any other type of emergency override mechanism, must be the subject of agreement with the appropriate fire and rescue service.
  10. Lift Security: Lifts should testing parameters in terms of vandal resistance. Each liftcar fixture, part and supply must remain functional after typical acts of vandalism. There are three categories a lift car should meet at least one, Category 0 must comply with the requirements of EN8120:2014, Category 1, in addition to the Category 0 requirements all lift cars must be secured with tamperproof fixings and for Category 2, in addition to Category 0 all lift car fixtures must be secured with fixings which are not visible to lift users. 
  11. Secure bicycle parking: Internal bicycle parking facilities will be accessed via a fire, smoke and security rated doorset. Bicycle parking access doors should be fitted with thumbturns, or other emergency furniture, on the inside face to facilitate emergency egress and so as to avoid locking people inside the store.
  12. Integral bin stores and plant rooms: External doorsets to bin stores and/or plant rooms should comply with the doorset standards; where higher crime risks can be evidenced, higher doorset security specifications can be employed to combat the risks. And should be fitted with automatic closers to prevent them being left open and insecure. 
  13. Emergency door release devices: SBD recommends vandal resistant stainless steel self-resetting emergency exit systems are installed. The installation and system type must be in full compliance with the relevant Building Regulations and achieve final ‘sign-off’ by local Building Control or Approved Inspector.
  14. Telephone and Internet Protocol (IP) based visitor door entry systems with or without remote unlocking: All systems shall comply with UL293 and where applicable the Internet Protocol security shall meet the requirements and become accredited with the SBD ‘Secure Connected Device’ accreditation scheme by being tested and certificated with an SBD approved certification body.
  15. CCTV and recording: CCTV can help deter crime and criminal behaviour, assist with the identification of offenders, promote personal safety and provide reassurance for residents and visitors.
  16. CCTV management and maintenance protocols: The contractor will issue a certificate to confirm that the CCTV installation is compliant with BS 7958:2015 Closed circuit television (CCTV. Management and operation. Code of practice), and the requirements of the GDPR and issue a certificate to confirm that the systems and installations are in compliance with SBD guidelines.
  17. Doorsets providing alternative access to communal areas (other than the primary shared or communal access doorset) including emergency egress doorsets: To meet the requirements set out in the Doorsets section
  18. Mail delivery in buildings containing multiple dwellings or bedrooms: External delivery facilities should be positioned adjacent to the entrance area. Access control to this area should have a data logging facility, be covered by CCTV and so on.
  19. Loft hatches in communal areas: Loft hatches located in communal areas, such as over landings in blocks of flats, must be locked to prevent access into a dwelling via the loft space and be certified to BS EN12320:2021
  20. Electrical sockets and USB charging points in communal areas: all 13-amp outlets or USB charging points intended for use by building maintenance staff should be capable of being key locked in the off position to prevent misuse.

That covers Section 2a, now moving on to Section 2b: Physical security for bespoke homes and existing refurbished homes. Section 2b provides technical guidance for bespoke new homes and the refurbishment of existing homes.

There are about 16 elements to be reviewed and specified under Section 02b, which include:

  1. New bespoke houses, bungalows, flats, apartments or maisonettes accessed via a private dedicated entrance doorset covering:

All meeting the necessary BS standards as identified within the SBD Guide

  1. Security of existing refurbished doorsets : all should be thoroughly inspected to ensure that they are in a good state of repair, free from rot and damage and reviewed by the DOCO.
  2. Secure mail delivery to bespoke houses, bungalows, flats, apartments or maisonettes accessed via a private dedicated entrance doorset:
  3. External surface mounted letter boxes 
  4. Through-the-wall delivery 

A letterplate tested to the requirements of the Door and Hardware Federation’s Technical Standard will provide reassurance that the likelihood of the letter plate aperture being used to gain access to the home will be substantially reduced

  1. New bespoke windows, roof windows and roof lights 
  2. Window hardware 
  3. Glazing in windows 
  4. Window installation 

All meeting the necessary BS standards as identified within the SBD Guide and the first item mentioned within this section

  1. Security of existing refurbished windows: all should be thoroughly inspected to ensure that they are in a good state of repair, free from rot and damage and reviewed by the DOCO.
  2. Conservatories and sunrooms: Where a conservatory or sunroom is installed in a bespoke home and it is not possible to utilise PAS 24:2016 or PAS 24:2022 doorsets and windows for the reasons previously mentioned, then the doors and windows must meet the same material, dimensional, and physical security standards mentioned earlier in previous sections
  3. Private external lighting:

Where possible the lighting requirements within BS 5489-1:2020 should be applied

  1. Utility meters: utility meters should be located outside the dwelling at the front or as close to the front of the building line as possible.
  2. Additional or alternative requirements for new bespoke buildings containing multiple dwellings or bedrooms 
  3. Communal and shared doorset standards : To meet the requirements set out in Section 1
  4. Mail delivery in bespoke buildings containing multiple dwellings or bedrooms: To meet the requirements set out in Section 1
  5. Bespoke doorsets providing alternative access to communal areas (other than the primary shared or communal access doorset) including emergency egress doorsets: To meet the requirements mentioned earlier under the first item
  6. New windows, roof windows and roof lights in bespoke buildings containing multiple dwellings or bedrooms: To meet the requirements mentioned earlier under the first item
  7. Lightweight framed walls in bespoke dwellings: The SBD requirements to use products that have been tested and proven to provide additional security
  8. Loft hatches in communal areas: Loft hatches located in communal areas, such as over landings in blocks of flats, must be locked to prevent access into a dwelling via the loft space and be certified to BS EN12320:2021
  9. Secure bicycle parking: to meet the same requirements as Section 1
  10. Internal bicycle parking for residents 
  11. Internal communal drying rooms: must be fitted with doorsets that meet the same physical specification as a front door as set in Section 1

And last but not least Section 3 provides technical guidance for additional features for an SBD Gold Award or SBD Silver Award for a bespoke development. 

  1. Doorsets providing access/egress from communal areas, houses and buildings containing multiple dwellings or bedrooms: doorsets to meet the same physical specification as a front door as set in Section 1
  2. Additional window requirements for an SBD Gold Award: In certain high crime locations only, to ensure that security is commensurate with the risk, the DOCO may require laminated glass meeting the requirements of BS EN 356:2000 class P1A
  3. External garage doorsets: must be fitted with doorsets that meet the same physical specification as a front door as set in Section 1
  4. Car parking
  1. External bicycle parking for residents in public areas

External bicycle parking facilities will be designed for secure storage using bicycle lockers, hangers or dedicated storage devices

  1. Intruder alarms: to meet the requirements of BS EN 50131

So once the application has been reviewed and completed to meet the relevant requirements depending on the SBD award applied for, alongside the application the applicant will need to provide a set of drawings with the completed SBD application, which will need to include the Location Plan, Site Layout, Elevations, Floor Plans, Landscape and boundary details and a Lighting Scheme. 

So once the application is submitted (if it is a housing one for example) with the relevant supplementary documents, and the Secured By Design Certificate will be issued on completion of the first dwelling providing the Designing Out Crime Officer is satisfied that all Secured By Design requirements have been met. The Designing Out Crime Officer will be contacted two weeks before completion to arrange a site visit so compliance with Secured by Design can be checked and certification issued before handover. 

A key thing to note here is that once the Secured By Design Certificate has been issued the specification for all homes must be the same as the first dwelling, if for any reason any of the specifications change then the Designing Out Crime Officer will need to be informed before any work is carried out on site. 

So to sum up what I discussed today: