Tried and tested, again, and again

The Test

The European RC2 test (EN1627:2011 RC2) is a comprehensive set of assessments, conducted in a laboratory under controlled settings, to fully understand the security offered by a door.

The test simulates a series of controlled stresses and attacks for a prolonged period of time, using a variety of techniques, weapons, and tools in order to gain access through the door. It is considered more stringent than those specified within the Australian Standard.

The tests carried out within an RC2 assessment include:

• 12 different Static stress tests of 3kN on locking points, hinges, panel edges, and bearing points
• 7 different impact stress tests, by dropping a weight of 50kg from a height of 450mm, onto various parts of the door
• Manual attacks with various tools for sustained periods of time, in 8 different locations around the door frame. Each manual attack was an attempt to jemmy the door from its frame, large enough to get a hand through and unlock the door from the inside.

The Results

It’s the RC2 testing that sets Crimsafe iQ apart and our security screen door passed with flying colors. It withstood all tests, keeping the would-be attacker out.

The Test

The Australian Standard (AS5041-2003) for Security Doors and Window Grilles defines requirements for a Dynamic Impact Test, which simulates the effect of a human impact, measured in ‘foot-pounds’ of force. Established in the Australian Standards for glass (AS1288) it was later adopted by the security industry.

The Test requires a security screen to withstand five, single impacts of 74 foot-pounds of force each. The average American, weighing 176lbs, can easily exert more than 74 foot-pounds of force in a single impact.

That’s why Crimsafe has been designed to exceed the minimum requirement of Australian Standards. Simply passing the standard, is not enough.

The Results

Independent research conducted by The University of Queensland, tested Crimsafe and competitor products for their ability to withstand single and multiple impacts.

The test screens were initially impacted to the level required by Australian Standards, after which they were subjected to increasing impact levels. Many competitor products could not meet the recommended Australian Standard, failing to withstand the equivalent of five impacts of 74 foot-pounds.

Crimsafe withstood the multiple impacts required by Australian Standards and withstood single impacts of 369 foot-pounds of force (Crimsafe Regular) and 553 foot-pounds of force (Crimsafe Ultimate).

The Test

Home intruders often slash screens with a blade like a box cutter or pocket knife.

The Knife Shear Test is designed to simulate a knife attack on a screen, using the kind of small-to-medium blade favored by home intruders.

A test screen is mounted horizontally in a rigid frame and a heavy-duty trimming knife is pulled along the mesh with a force of up to 77lbs. A constant, downward pressure of 33lbs is applied for a distance of 10in. This action is performed three times, along the same line, with a new blade fitted each time. In order to achieve a pass, the mesh must not be penetrated in a continuous line for more than 6in.

The Results

With our industry-leading 0.9mm, 304-grade high-tensile stainless-steel Tensile-Tuff® 0.9mm, 304 grade high tensile structural grade stainless steel security screen mesh, all Crimsafe screens pass this test.

*The specifications for the mesh and other products we supply are our target specifications. The actual specifications for items supplied may differ slightly, taking into account reasonable manufacturing tolerances.

The Test

The Lever Attack Test requires a rotational force of up to 99lbs to be applied, and held for 20 seconds, at all locking, hinging, and fastening points around your security screen, in order to meet the Australian Standard.

A large screwdriver is inserted at these points and mechanically rotated until either the force required, or 80° rotation, has been achieved. To pass, a security screen door must remain securely locked and a window security screen must remain securely fastened to the window that it is covering.

The test panel fails if the edge of the security door or window has deflected to make a gap wider than 6in, or if all the locking points or fastening points (screws holding a window section onto the wall), or the hinges, fail.

The Results

Crimsafe screens pass this test easily. Our ongoing research in this area has enabled us to develop Crimsafe Ultimate and Crimsafe iQ, products with true lever-defiant design, to give you the ultimate protection.

The Test

If they can’t use brute force to smash through a security screen, criminals will try to attack the edges and pull it from its housing.

The Australian Standard Pull Test is designed to simulate an attack by an intruder attempting to pull at the security screen — either at the bottom, middle, side, or top of the screen. The test also assesses the integrity and fixing of the mesh into the screen frame.

The Results

Every Crimsafe screen meets the requirements for the Australian Standard Pull Test, which investigates how well a security screen can withstand these kinds of attacks.

Our unique Screw-Clamp™ technology ensures that the mesh can’t be pulled from the frame at all, and the rigid Tensile-Tuff® mesh guarantees no handhold.

The Test

Security screens aren’t just limited to the inside of your home — they can also be used for balustrades and fences, subject to meeting the industry standard for loading on structures.

The Balustrade test requires an infill panel to be subjected to a load test, replicating outward and inward pressure onto a balustrade infill panel.

The Results

The Crimsafe panel not only met the test requirement of 1.2 metric tons but exceeded it, withstanding a massive load of 3.8 metric tons. This impressive result was attributed to the unique design of Crimsafe Screw-Clamp™ technology. The Crimsafe infill panel also complies with Building Code of Australia occupancy type C5, for areas susceptible to overcrowding.

As Crimsafe panels have passed these industry standard tests, they can be used as balustrade screen infills and as fencing, keeping your family protected from falling hazards while continuing the clean Crimsafe aesthetic across your property.

The Test

Over time, some steel security screens can be overcome by the demands of coastal or harsh environments, sacrificing both their protective strength and the aesthetics of your property. Crimsafe screens have passed corrosion tests above and beyond normal industry standards.

This is why we put Crimsafe screens through comprehensive corrosion testing – the Australian Standard Salt Spray Test (AS 2331.3.1), and the even more rigorous Prohesion Accelerated Test (ATSM G85).

Prohesion tests use a method of cyclic accelerated corrosion and are designed to evaluate how well the surface coatings of the Crimsafe screen protect from corrosion.

The Results

In the industry-standard Salt Spray Test, a salt solution is sprayed on the test samples for 1,000 hours, simulating 10 years of exposure to very harsh weathering conditions (AS 2331.3.1). The Crimsafe security screen system tested passed a massive 3,000 hours with no corrosion. Our Tensile-Tuff® security mesh passed 10,000 hours with no corrosion.

Crimsafe security screens also pass the Prohesion Accelerated test (ATSM G85), which provides a better correlation with real-world outdoor exposure results.

The Test

The Australian Window Association (AWA) estimates that 40% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows and up to 87% of a home’s heat is gained through windows — so choosing energy-efficient fittings has never been more important for the environment and saving money on bills.

A major element of determining the WERS (Windows Energy Rating Scheme) rating of a window is its Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) — the measure of how well a window blocks heat caused by sunlight. To test this, a Crimsafe security screen was applied over a glazed window to measure how well the screen blocks heat produced by sunlight entering your home.

The Results

The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) recognizes that Crimsafe improves the cooling and heat retention of a building when applied to glass windows and doors, with the type of window glass and glazing also impacting cooling and heat retention.

Crimsafe Security Screens were found to improve the energy efficiency of a window by up to 53%. When Crimsafe is applied over a 3mm generic, single-glazed window the cooling efficiency of the window increases from zero stars to a 3-Star cooling rating, keeping your home cooler in summer and reducing heat loss in winter.

When Crimsafe is applied over 6.38 Clear Low E glass, the cooling rating increases from a 1.5-Star rating to a 4-Star rating, greatly enhancing the cooling attributes of your glazing investment.

In the winter months Crimsafe works with your windows to limit the escape of warmth from your home, and heat retention efficiency increases. The heating rating improves from zero stars (no heat retention benefits) to a 1.5-Star WERS rating with Crimsafe applied.

The effects are best seen when security screens are placed over your entire window, not just over the opening portion.

Annual energy performance (stars and % improvements) are calculated using Nationwide House Energy Rating Software according to procedures of WERS 2008 and the results are presented in Standard International Units.

The Test

North America experiences some of the toughest environmental conditions in the world, with high levels of UV radiation and extreme heat throughout the summer months.

The UV Light Test uses an instrument called a UV spectrophotometer that measures the intensity of light. In this test the intensity of light from a UV lamp is measured before and after it is passed through a sample of Tensile-Tuff® mesh.

In the Airflow Test Crimsafe Tensile-Tuff® security mesh was tested in a custom-designed wind tunnel to determine the effect of the screen on airflow. The test measured the flow of the air exiting the screen.

The Results

Crimsafe Tensile-Tuff® security mesh was found to filter 62% of UV radiation. A major factor for the high UV resistance of Crimsafe security screens is the thickness of the wire used for the mesh: the thicker the wire, the less UV will penetrate the aperture of the mesh.

Compared to insect mesh, Crimsafe allows much better airflow through your home and helps maintain a healthier home interior in all seasons allowing, on average, 53% airflow

The Test

Doors and windows are the hardest part of your home to protect against the violent, debris-carrying winds of hurricanes or severe storms. The Crimsafe range helps protect your home against hail and wind-borne debris — we even have specialized, hurricane-debris-protection products.

The Australian Cyclone Debris Screens Test (AS1170.2:2011) is conducted in two parts. An air cannon fires a missile, at predetermined air pressures, simulating windborne debris from a category 4 hurricane – 120mph and 150mph.

1. The screen is impacted with a 9lb piece of timber fired from the air cannon
2. The screen is impacted with a 1/2in steel ball repeated five times in different areas of the screen.

The Results

A wide range of Crimsafe products are approved for use in severe weather-affected areas of North America, including Crimsafe doors, windows, and Crimsafe Safe-S-Capes® withstanding winds up to 150mph, the equivalent of a category 4 hurricane

Our specially designed Crimsafe Hurricane Debris Screens passed the Australian Cyclone Debris Screens test but has also been approved for hurricane impact protection by FBC (Florida Building Code) and Miami-Dade. These codes are certificates that approve products for use as high-impact resistant window and door protection.

Our research and development program is continually advancing the limits of Crimsafe Hurricane Debris Screen performance.

The Test

Fire attenuation measures how well building materials reduce radiant heat and the spread of flame — a requirement of many building projects.

In the Fire Attenuation Test, a Crimsafe screen is placed over an opening of a furnace and the reduction of radiant heat is measured.

The Results

Crimsafe has achieved up to 59% attenuation of radiant heat. This means Crimsafe can be utilized as a fire protection screen in wild and brushfire-prone areas giving you more flexibility in your building designs and savings on cost.

The Test

The Test

Our reputation has been built on keeping intruders out — even the tiniest ones.

In the Insect Resistance Test, Crimsafe’s Tensile-Tuff® security mesh has been tested for its ability to keep mosquitoes away from a food source in a testing chamber. Hundreds of mosquitoes were trapped in between the mesh which was then left up to 72 hours before the testing was concluded.

The Results

Crimsafe Tensile-Tuff® security mesh prevented 99% of the mosquitoes from passing through the mesh over the test period. Given recent North America’s vast insect diversity and increase of disease-carrying bugs, this is an important factor in selecting your security screens.