RC Rating Explained
Understanding RC ratings helps you choose the right security door for your needs, ensuring appropriate protection against forced entry.
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What is an RC Rating?
European Standard certification
for Burglar resistant doors
What does it mean that steel security doors are RC-rated?
The term "RC" in the context of security ratings for steel security doors typically refers to "Resistance Class." Resistance Classes are standards used to classify the level of security or resistance that a door or window provides against forced entry, including burglary attempts.
The RC (Resistance Class) grades for doors are part of the European standards for security, particularly in relation to burglary resistance. The European standard EN 1627:2021 specifies the classification of burglar resistance for doors, windows, curtain walling, and grilles. Here are some common RC grades:
- RC1: Basic security. Provides resistance against casual or opportunistic attempts at forced entry using tools like small screwdrivers and pliers.
- RC2: Enhanced security. Offers resistance against a more determined attempt at forced entry using tools like pad saw, hack saw and wedges.
- RC3: Higher security. Designed to resist more advanced forms of attack, including using heavier tools like crowbars, locksmith hammers or hand drills.
- RC4: Provides protection against experienced burglars with more powerful tools such as cordless drills, axes, bolt cutters, wood chisels, and club hammers.
- RC5, this grade provides an even higher level of security and is designed to resist attempts at forced entry by experienced and well-equipped burglars. RC5 rated door offers resistance against attempts at forced entry using tools like an electric drill 650W, electric sabre saw, electric jig saw or angle grinder 1100W.
- RC6: This is the highest level of protection against forced entry by experienced and well-equipped burglars, ensuring maximum security. Doors that achieved that rating were tested using an electric drill 1050W, angle grinder 2300W with a disc 230mm for cutting steel and stone, steel wedges and a spalling hammer.
It's important to note that these RC grades are part of a broader European standard, and the exact specifications may vary based on local regulations and standards.
What are the characteristics of a good quality security door?
Good quality steel security doors typically would have multi point locking system, heavy duty door frame, heavy duty welded hinges, security graded hardware, infills upgrading noise cancellation and U-value.
Quality steel security door would be designed and manufactured with a particular property in mind, fulfilling bespoke requirements, considering fire building regulations, access for people with disabilities, etc.
Can RC rated steel doors be fire exit doors?
Yes, each of our fire exit door is also RC rated. Additionally, they can be manufactured as steel fire doors, allowing not only easy evacuation but also providing a fire brier for up to 60 minutes, preventing fire from spreading from one room to another.
So our doors can be manufactured as:
- Fire rated security doors - ( Ei30 or Ei60 burglar resistant)
- Fire exit security doors - (Fire exit burglar resistant)
- Fire exit security doors with fire rating - ( Ei30 or Ei60 burglar resistant, fire escape doors)
Are high security door manufactured only as single doors?
Most of our single steel doors can also be manufactured as double steel doors, with specialised hardware like automatic flush bolts and door closers that determine the closing sequence all security rating classes are achievable.
Can large steel gates be RC rated?
Larger doors can be manufactured as gates for vehicles or even large machinery to pass through with smaller, human size steel door built into one of the leaves of that gate.
Is it possible for security doors to have glass panels?
Yes, each RC rated security door may have a glass section.
The type of glass that must be used in the security door is strictly defined by the guidelines specific to the rating class. For example, RC3 rated door would have to have P5 rated glass, or RC5 bulletproof doors would have glass BR6S.
How do you reinforce a steel door?
Protection against cutting
Each of our security door, starting from RC2, has a steel crate inside made of a particular type of steel that hardens when exposed to heat. Some of our higher-end products feature spinning horizontal bars when cutting is attempted.
Protection against drilling
All Our doors are equipped with ironmongery tested against that type of attack. Each RC-rated security door would have a specified class of hardness of the lock barrel, lock defender, etc.
The security locks topic deserves more explanation, and you can read more about them here
Protection against flame torch cutting
The flame torch is a perfect steel-cutting tool as it allows one to do so without bringing much attention.
Our bank-designated door infills provide protection against flame torches. They render flamethrowers ineffective, ensuring the safety of the bank's interior.
Protection against forced entry
Our doors are equipped with anti-forcing bolts, also known as dog bolts, and multipoint locks that secure the door in our steel heavy duty frame. Our steel security doors feature frames forged from thick, classification-specific steel. The frame itself is fixed to the wall according to RC specifications.
Is any particular installation required for the steel security door?
A security door without appropriate installation is meaningless, and it does not protect the building against forced entry.
Some of our premium steel security doors, when installed in places prioritising strong security measures, require welding door frames to steel rods fixed in the wall and then filling all frames with concrete, making the door frame an integral part of the wall.
What if our steel security door requires key replacement?
Each door we deliver has an appropriate lock for the required customer use case that meets the requirements of a security rating class. Extra key cutting of doors supplied by us is only possible at the manufacturing/ placing order stage. After that, you will be able to cut an extra or missing key by sending us a unique lock ID card and providing a corresponding door number. When we confirm the correspondence of these two pieces of information with the identity of the person requesting these keys, a new key will be provided.
Certain facilities require master keys to open multiple doors, and that requires separate arrangements. There is also a separate set of arrangements required in the scenario where the facility has an electronic centralised access control system in place.
Steel security doors at places that require ventilation
Many premises must meet requirements regarding airflow. Louvre doors are commonly used as one of the measures to lower the temperature on-premises. In that scenario, standard louvre doors are becoming a weak point in the security system.
Our louvre steel security doors have integrated internal crates, allowing continuous airflow and meeting the requirements of the RC4 security rating. It is a perfect, cost-effective solution to increase the effectiveness of mechanical ventilation systems without compromising security.
Can steel security door look like standard door?
Yes, each of our steel security door can be finished with a variety of wood veneers, making them look more domestic. A wide selection of wood veneers makes them complement elegant office spaces or entrance to the building.
What is the most secure metal door?
RC5 & RC6 is the highest rating steel doors can obtain and is considered premium steel security doors. They can feature bulletproof glass, resistance to fire and protection against dangerous substances.
What are the disadvantages of typical steel doors?
Cost
Steel security doors may have a higher upfront cost than other door types, but this extra cost is offset by the security benefits they provide.
Heat Transfer
Steel security doors may transfer heat or cold more easily than those made of better insulating materials like composite door, potentially affecting a building's energy efficiency.
To answer that problem, all our security steel doors are filled with mineral wool to improve U-value. For example our RC3 anti burglary security doors achieved 1,3 Uw (W/m2 K) according to EN ISO 10077-1: 2007.
Weight
Steel doors can be heavier than doors made from some other materials. This can make installation more challenging and may require additional support in the door frame.
This is why it is important to use professional installers that will ensure proper operation of the door when they are installed
Noise Transmission
Steel doors may transmit sound more effectively than doors with better sound insulation properties. This can be a consideration in environments where noise control is essential.
The answer to that problem, we use special infills in our security doors, achieving 46 dB acoustic insulation according to EN ISO 717-1: 2013-08
What is the best type of security door?
Steel doors are the best type for security doors. Steel is the hardest material to penetrate, so even steel coating makes it much more difficult to force enter without mentioning the steel crate inside our doors.
Explore Our High Security Doors
Discover our range of high security doors with RC3-RC4 ratings and superior protection against forced entry.