Question 1

What does Part Q require?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

What is PAS 24?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Do all windows need to meet PAS 24?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 4

Does Part Q apply in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

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.

Requirement	Standard	Notes
All external doorsets	PAS 24:2016	Includes front, rear, side doors
Door to garage (if integral/attached)	PAS 24:2016	Door from garage into dwelling
Communal entrance doors (flats)	PAS 24:2016 + access control	Audio/visual entry system recommended
Cylinder security	TS 007 3-star or equivalent	Anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-bump, anti-drill
Multi-point locking	Integral to PAS 24 doorset	At least 3 locking points

Window Location	PAS 24 Required?	Notes
Ground floor	Yes	All ground-floor windows
Basement	Yes	All basement windows
Accessible from balcony/flat roof	Yes	Within 3.5 m of ground/accessible surface
Adjacent to drainpipe (within reach)	Yes	If a drainpipe provides easy access
Upper floor (not accessible)	No	Lockable handles recommended

Feature	Requirement
Letter plate	Restricted aperture or internal cowl to prevent lock manipulation through the letter box
Door viewer (spy hole)	Recommended for front doors without glazed vision panel
Door chain / limiter	Recommended for front doors
Hinge bolts	Integral to PAS 24 doorset (prevent hinge-side attack)
Door frame fixing	Secure fixing to structure — integral to PAS 24 installation requirements

Part Q Security Standards for Dwellings

Door Security Requirements (AD-Q Section 1)

Window Security Requirements (AD-Q Section 2)

Letter Plate and Door Hardware (AD-Q)

Secured by Design (SBD) — Optional Enhanced Standard

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