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Era hold the key to meeting new standards

A statement from Dave Hill, Managing Director of ERA Products, on the European CEN Standards & BS3621

The publication and implementation of the European CEN standards has resulted in a new version of BS3621 being introduced. The European standards are graded and currently have little or no effect on the UK market for door locks.

The UK housing market has been focused on BS3621 for locking of final exit doors because the UK insurance companies more often than not specify this standard.

The current standard is BS3621: 1998 and this is being replaced by BS3621: 2004. The main difference is with the new standard the bolt extends to 20mm or more whereas the 1998 standard was only 14mm.

Manufacturers have until December 2005 to comply with the new standard. IMPORTANTLY all other bodies in the supply chain can continue to sell BS3621: 1998 after December 2005 to use up existing stocks.

The major point is that insurance companies will continue to recognise all BS3621 versions, they will not expect householders to upgrade. At the moment it’s difficult to estimate when the insurance companies will update their security recommendations – many only state “BS3621” as the locks that must be fitted to the exit door.

A fact worth noting is that if a BS3621: 2004 Nightlatch is used on a door with any ERA 5-Lever Deadlock this would meet the insurance companies requirements.

ERA will be launching a new range of BS3621:2004 locks this summer, including a new High Security Nightlatch but ERA will continue to sell the Invincible and Profit models to the old standard so they can be used as replacements.

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