Test Results
Our test results go back to 1993, to our most recent test carried out at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
All of our test results meet and exceed the Australian Standards and are available upon request.
1993
Australian Standard – AS 2803.1
Hinged Security Screen Door
1999
AS/NZS 2803.1/1994
Dynamic Impact Test – AS 4483.1 – 1999
Fixed Panel Security Window Grille
Hinged Security Door
Sliding Security Door
Double Sliding Security Window Grille
2004
Australian Standard 5040-2003
Dynamic Impact Test – 5039.2003
Fixed Panel Security Window Grille
Hinged Security Door
Sliding Security Door
Visi Safe Mini Diamond Double Sliding Window
2005
Australian Standard 5040-2003
Dynamic Impact Test – 5039-2003
Single Fixed Security Grille in an Aluminium window system (We are the only company in Australia to have tested the entire window plus security suite)
Testing by UNSW@ADFA Proves Crimsafe’s Strength
Recently, Crimsafe had the University of New South Wales’ School of Aerospace and Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the Australian Defence Force Academy design a rigorous scientific test to determine exactly how much force Crimsafe screens can resist before breaking. We also tested stainless steel security screens bought directly from 9 leading competitors.
The results were both surprising and a little disappointing. Let us explain….
The Dynamic Impact Test
In the Australian Standard AS5041:2003 – Methods of Test, the Dynamic Impact Test simulates the effects of a human impact against a security screen door or window grille by allowing a standardised weight to swing against the test specimen 5 times. Each impact is about 100 joules of energy. That’s roughly the impact force imparted by a child stumbling into a glass door and in fact, the test was originally designed for the glazing industry so they could make glass that didn’t shatter upon a small impact.
Standard not high enough, yet competing screens still fail
Unfortunately, 100 joules is a lot less force than a motivated burglar can deliver. After the testing we requested the scientists conducting the test to make a recommendation on the level of impact resistance that the Australian Standard should require, and they put the figure at 150 joules and 10 impacts if the burglar kicks the door and 200 joules if the burglar is able to use an implement such as a baseball bat or brick.
Yet 6 competing brands that we tested failed to meet even the current minimum standard of impact resistance. These screens are leading brands and they broke before the test delivered even 100 joules of energy in an impact!
3 security screens managed to reach the 150 joule level but only two exceeded it and they both failed to protect against anything more than 200 joules. From our perspective it is very disappointing that the Australian Standard doesn’t require better performance of security screens. In fact, in most cases, the word ’security’ should not be associated with these screens as they fail to deliver adequate protection against one of the most common methods of entry: a well-aimed kick.
Tags: Australian Standards, Test Results