Part Q Security Standards for Dwellings

Approved Document Q (2015 edition) requires that all easily accessible doors and windows in new dwellings in England meet security standards. Doors must meet PAS 24:2016 (or equivalent), and windows in vulnerable locations must also meet PAS 24:2016. "Easily accessible" means ground floor, or accessible from a balcony, flat roof, or similar feature. Part Q applies to new dwellings only — not to existing buildings, extensions, or non-residential buildings.

PAS 24:2016 (Enhanced security performance requirements for door assemblies and window assemblies) is a BSI Publicly Available Specification. It sets testing requirements for doors and windows to resist physical attack for a defined period. Products tested to PAS 24 are subjected to mechanical loading, cylinder manipulation, and physical attack tests. PAS 24:2016 replaced the earlier PAS 24:2012 and is the standard referenced in AD-Q.

No — only easily accessible windows. This includes all ground-floor windows and any window accessible from a balcony, flat roof, car port, or other feature that is within 3.5 m of ground level. Upper-floor windows not accessible without a ladder do not need PAS 24, though they should still have reasonable security features (e.g. lockable handles).

Part Q applies in England only. Wales has its own edition of Approved Document Q with similar requirements. Scotland does not have an equivalent Approved Document — security is addressed through Secured by Design (SBD) which is voluntary. Northern Ireland does not currently have specific building regulation requirements for dwelling security. In practice, many housebuilders adopt PAS 24 across all UK jurisdictions as a standard.