PUBLIC HOUSING SECURITY BARRIER ISSUES
1. Select a HUD Certified Security Screen
2. Screens can be Installed To Cover Any Existing Window
3. Top Hinge, Center Hinge or Side Pivot?
4. Choose The Right "Barrier" Material
5. Satisfy Local Fire Code Regulations
6. Finish Options
7. Should The Barrier Panels Be Painted?
8. Security Doors Take Constant Abuse
PUBLIC HOUSING BARRIER PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Inner-City Public Housing Projects
2. Suburban Public Housing Projects
3. Interior Child Guards
4. Security Barrier Doors
1. Select a HUD Certified Security Screen
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in conjunction with the Screen Manufacturers Association (SMA) has developed a testing and certification program to insure security screens meet certain minimum performance standards.
The certification program defines three levels of screens. LIGHT screens are for protection against glass breakage in upper story windows. MEDIUM screens are for protection against glass breakage and to provide some deterrent against forced entry for opening with difficult access such as second floor windows. HEAVY screens are used to prevent glass breakage and as a deterrent against forced entry for openings with easy access such as first floor windows.
Therefore, where tenant security is an issue, security screens should be specified that meet the Heavy performance tests which are summarized below:
Impact Test: Resist 100 ft-lbs. of force without stretching the screen material more than 3" and without tearing the screen cloth at any point.
Forced Entry Test: Resist a prying load of 150 pounds and simultaneous pulling load of 300 pounds without springing the lock or bending the frame.
Sag Test: Resist 90 pounds of weight on the open screen with no more than an .063" sag in the screen.
By requiring that security screens pass the HUD HEAVY Security Screen test, the Housing Authority is assured it is purchasing screens that can provide a high level of security. These tests should be performed by an independent testing laboratory and certified by an agency such as the National Accreditation Management Institution. Exeter can provide the necessary SMA and ANSI specifications for your project.
2. Screens can be Installed To Cover Any Existing Window
Many different installation requirements occur on different projects. The most common installation methods are outlined below:
· The reveal mount fastens the barrier frame into the exterior window opening reveal. This keeps all installation fasteners concealed from the exterior. It is important to have a deep enough reveal to get a good screw hold and to be sure the barrier panel is at least 1-1/2" from the window glass face.
· The surface (or face) mount fastens the barrier frame directly into the surface of the building surrounding the window opening.
· The build-out mount is a modification of the surface mount. This occurs where windows are installed flush to the exterior of the building or where a storm window has been installed over the existing window. A perimeter mounting angle would be used in conjunction with the barrier panel, to elevate the barrier past the storm window.
3. Top Hinge, Center Hinge or Side Pivot?
Most security barriers are hinged or operate on a pivot, so they can be opened for emergency egress by the tenant or for window maintenance or washing.
The Exeter Top Hinged Steel NarrowLine Security Barrier is top-hinged. This reduces problems with broken hinges and bent barrier frames that are likely to occur when security barriers are side hinged and are roughly treated. It also assures that the barriers will always be in a closed position.
To accommodate window air conditioning units the Exeter Steel Narrowline Security Barrier can be center hinged. When the A/C unit is in place the bottom half of the screen swings up and attaches to a bracket at the top so that it is self-storing. When the A/C unit is removed, the screen can be returned to its original position and be locked in place.
The Crime Shield® Security Barrier meets the HUD "HEAVY" performance tests where tenant security is an issue. The main barrier panel is side pivoted to allow emergency egress easier, especially for the elderly and infirm.
4. Choose The Right "Barrier" Material
Exeter offers Steel Perforated Panels and Stainless Steel Wire Cloth as their security barriers. In recent years, perforated metal panels have been used in public housing installations. The primary advantage of the perforated material is that it has between 50 and 63 percent open area. The steel panel is galvannealed and can with stand abuse.
The Crime Shield® Security Barrier is specified with 16 gauge perforated galvannealed steel with 63% open area. The barrier panel can accommodate optional insect screening.
The Top Hinged Steel NarrowLine Security Screen can accept either 16 gauge perforated steel panels or 12 mesh stainless steel wire cloth. The stainless steel wire cloth has 44% open area and can double as an insect screen.
5. Satisfy Local Fire Code Regulations
Local fire regulations vary considerably around the country. Exeter offers two types of life safety emergency egresses on our security barriers:
Crime Shield® Security Barrier - operates through a single point release mechanism. When the egress release is activated the main barrier panel slides to one side and pivots outward to open.
Top Hinged Steel NarrowLine Security Barrier - operates with two spring loaded slide/lock bolts for emergency egress from the inside.
6. Finish Options
The standard finish for security barriers is a thermoplastic polyester powder coat.
Preparation: The frames are prepared for coating in a five-step bonderizing process. The parts are chemically cleaned and rinsed to remove surface contamination, then given a pre-treatment etching and phosphatizing bath for added corrosion resistance. An additional rinse and sealer coat follows this process.
Finish: The frames receive an electrostatically applied polyester powder coat to provide constant coverage and assure surface durability.
Baking: After the powder coat is applied, the frames are baked for 20 minutes at 375 degrees F. The resulting finish provides excellent resistance to corrosion, pitting and scratching.
Colors: Five stock semi-gloss colors. Custom colors are available at additional cost.
7. Should The Barrier Panels Be Painted?
Whether you choose the steel perforated panel or the stainless steel wire cloth, the infill is coated with a black polyester powder coat. This renders the infill "invisible" when viewed from 5 to 10 feet away and safeguards against staining due to atmospheric conditions.
8. Security Doors Take Constant Abuse
Selecting properly designed security screen doors will save a lot of maintenance dollars over the years. Doors need to be designed to take constant use and abuse. This means corners that are mitered and fully welded. Cheap corner inserts loosen up with use. Tack welds (as compared to full welds) crack and the door sags. Doors need heavy stainless steel hinges. Aluminum hinges are less expensive, but don't stand up over time.
PUBLIC HOUSING BARRIER PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
This section describes four typical Public Housing settings and the type of security barrier, which we would recommend.
1. Inner-City Public Housing Projects
Exeter's Crime Shield® Security Barrier will satisfy the tenant's security requirements for most inner-city projects. The Crime Shield® Barrier is HUD certified as a "HEAVY" security screen and has passed the impact test, sag test, and forced entry test of the Screen Manufacturers Association's specification 6001-85. The Barriers are used to prevent glass breakage and as a deterrent against forced entry for openings with easy access, such as first floor windows. It's unique "Patented Framing System "completely captures the barrier panel preventing intrusion by pry bars or screwdrivers. The barrier can also be split to accommodate window air conditioners.
2. Suburban Public Housing Projects
Exeter's Top Hinged NarrowLine Security Barrier provides excellent glass protection, acts as a deterrent to impromptu break-ins and reduces ongoing maintenance to the windows. This barrier is normally top hinged and many times can be installed directly to the window reveal. On the other hand where a storm window is already in place, Exeter can provide a build-out for the barrier so that it installs over the storm window.
The frame is a high strength 16 gauge galvanized steel tube. The corners of the tube are secured with die cast metal corners. The barrier infill is attached to the galvanized steel tube and an aluminum faceplate is secured to the mainframe to finish the barrier.
3. Interior Child Guards
The Exeter Steel NarrowLine Fixed Frame Security Barrier is ideal as an interior child guard. The barrier installs over the operable section of the window and remains fixed in place. The window can still be operated for ventilation and additional handles can be attached to the window to assist in operation. An optional insect screen can be installed behind the perforated steel infill to provide insect protection.
4. Security Barrier Doors
Exeter's Steel NarrowLine Security Door is the finest 22 gauge, roll formed, fully galvanized steel door available. It is constructed with fully welded and mitered corners. It is designed to stand up to years of constant use and abuse. The door can be specified with perforated steel infill (with optional insect screen) or stainless steel wire cloth. The door comes pre-hung on a Z-bar frame with all necessary hardware.
The Aluminum Crime Shield® Barrier Door is a full view security door. There are no kick panels in the door offering unobstructed viewing through the high visibility perforated steel panel infill. Optional insect screening can be installed behind the perforated steel panel. Stainless steel hinges are used on this door. The door comes pre-hung on a Z-bar frame with all necessary hardware.