Forced Entry Doors

    Protection Against Burglary & Attacks

    Virtually every type of building needs some sort of protection against forced entry. A door assembly or security doors is often a building’s first line of defense and can dramatically reduce the risk of an attack or burglary.

    It’s important to determine what level of protection is appropriate for the building’s use and location. Government and religious buildings are usually more at risk for physical attacks. Retail and commercial tenants tend to be more concerned with theft. Schools are often a hybrid of burglary prevention and safety.

    Specifying Forced Entry Doors

    When specifying forced entry doors and assemblies, design professionals should consider:

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    The budget

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    The severity of the risk

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    The risk of physical attack, burglary, or both

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    If bullet resistant doors would make sense

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    If they should specify one of the test methods below

    ASTM F1233

    Standard Test Method for Security Glazing Materials & Systems

    The most commonly specified test criteria for commercial installations and government high security environments such as courthouses and detention centers.

    • This test method combines ballistic and forced entry testing
    • It uses a complex, progressive “Class” system based on 41 defined attack steps
    • Tests range from resistance to ballistic impact, physical attack, thermal and chemical stress
    • Intended for testing security glazing systems

    ASTM F3561

    Standard Test Method for Forced-Entry-Resistance of Fenestration Systems After Simulated Active Shooter Attack

    Specified for use in commercial, residential, schools, government, and other institutional projects.

    • This newer standard was published in 2022 as a full system / assembly test
    • Used to test envelope openings such as windows, doors, curtain walls, and skylights
    • Intended to simulate an active shooter event – weakening systems by a series of shots then attempting entry by force
    • Ratings are Levels 1-8 which indicate a greater ability to delay an attacker after the assembly has been compromised

    US Department of State SD-STD-01.01

    Certification Standard for Forced Entry & Ballistic Resistance of Building Systems

    This test is similar to ASTM F3038 (see below) but is specified for use in government projects.

    • Designed to replicate the conditions of a mob attack attempting to forcibly penetrate an opening
    • Includes a series of ballistic tests against different areas of an opening
    • Forced entry test portion utilizes multiple / various hand tools (sledgehammer, pry bar, etc.) attempting to break the barrier (opening) at different timed intervals

    ASTM F3038

    Standard Test Method for Timed Evaluation of Forced-Entry-Resistant Systems

    Typically specified for use in commercial or government projects.

    • Very similar to SD-STD-01.01 (see above) but includes different ballistic testing and rating scale
    • Involves a team of 6 attackers regardless of the time level
    • Attackers use a defined set of “common” hand tools, including sledgehammers, crowbars, pry bars, and battering rams
    • Assigns ratings based on how many minutes a system holds up: 5, 15, 30, or 60 minutes

    Resources

    SDI has developed a variety of forced entry door resources for architects, specifiers and distributors below.

    Article

    Doors & Hardware Magazine: Reducing the Risk of Forced Entry

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    Presentation

    Forced Entry Doors & Assemblies

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