Surveying and Measuring for Security Grilles
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Surveying and Measuring for Security Grilles
When carrying out a survey for retractable security grilles the following steps will help to ensure that each security gate will fit the opening. Wherever possible the following notes should be used in conjunction with the SeceuroGuard technical brochure.
Reveal Installation Details (Inbetween the opening)
• Will the gate sashes obscure more of the window than you are prepared to accept? If so a face fit installation may be appropriate.
• Always measure the top, middles and bottom within the window reveal.
• Always work to the smaller sizes and if appropriate use packers to ensure the gate is square in the aperture.
• For the height, measure from cill or floor to the underside of the opening and deduct 5mm for tolerance.
Face Installation Details
• When face fixing - is the wall flat? Look out for uneven plasterwork that might catch on the gate’s sashes as they slide open. It is still possible to install a gate under these circumstances by packing it off the wall to achieve adequate clearance.
• When pricing please remember to add on the width of the gates sashes for the total width as this is how all grilles are priced and ordered and add the cost of a fixing frame.
• A standard fixing frame kit comprises one 20mm high ‘C’ section that comes attached to the top track. This is suitable for doorways
• When face fitting around a window, it is advisable to order an additional length of ‘C’ section that is attached to the bottom track in our factory. If you require this ‘C’ section for face fixing the bottom track you must specify this when ordering
IMPORTANT
The Seceuroguard collapsible security grille is always priced and ordered using the overall width and overall height including all the tracking and fixing posts included. The stack size of the grille when open obviously varies in size depending on the width of the grille and this has to be carefully considered if you are installing to the face of a door or window aperture so you get the widest clearance when the gate is open with the stack neatly positioned to one side out the way.
A table showing the stack size in relation to the overall size is available lower down.
Seceuroguard Installation Instructions PDF >
Face Fix Installation to a Door or Window Opening
Face fitting is usually the best method positioning securuty grilles into doorways assuming you have sufficient room either side of the opening. This allows maximum clear width when the gates are open and in the case of windows the sash will hide neatly away behind curtains. The open sash size is calculated as a proportion of the overall width of the gate and varies depending on whether a single sash or double sash is required. A floating sash is also available if required with locks at either side to allow the whole sash to move from one side to the other when required for cleaning or maintenance, etc.
Reveal Installation to a Door or Window
Most installations of security grilles to windows are reveal fitted as the loss of a small proportion of the window aperture is not usually a problem and the bottom and top track are visually better in the opening, usually as near to the window frame itself to leave a descent amount of cill space and not intefer with blinds or curtains, etc.
Measure the window aperture in as many places as possible and always take the smallest width and height after checking the aperture is square. Depending on the size of the opening and the surface finish you are installing to dictates what tolerance you may want to leave when ordering but generally we suggest 10mm overall on the width and the height.
Also be aware that the measurements may also vary from different positions in the depth of the aperture so always measure exactly where you intend the tracking to be fitted and make sure the opening dimensions are not considerably less where the aperture begins or you may find it difficult to get the unit into the opening in the first place.
Other important dimensions and layout diagrams
General Points To Consider:
• We recommend that wherever possible retractable security gates are fitted internally to enhance the security and for ease of daily operation.
• Where an external installation is required, the insurance approved SeceuroGuard 1001 is often the most suitable option. We recommend that all externally fitted gates should be ordered in a dark colour as some general corrosion may will appear over a long period.
• Always check what material has been used in the construction of the opening. This is essential when fitting an LPCB approved product. Fixing into plasterboard or Thermalite block is not acceptable for security.
• Please be mindful that SeceuroGuard gates weigh 19kgs per square meter and as such require a very strong, secure fixing for the top track as this takes most of the weight.
Although not an option on the LPCB approved SeceuroGuard 1001, it is possible to make SeceuroGuard 1000 bottom running to channel some of the weight through the bottom track.
• Will the gate catch on anything that protrudes from the window or surround (i.e. handles)? If so you will need to pack out the whole unit to miss the obstruction.
• If the window / door opens inwards, will it still open after the gate is installed? The gate 'bunch' must be accounted for in the opening arrangement. If not a face fit installation may be appropriate.
• Are the walls level inside the opening? It is advisable to use a good spirit level on surveys to satisfy yourself of possible uneven surfaces
• Consider the size and side of the gate’s sash or whether a bi-parting system is a better option if the single sash 'bunch' becomes too large.
• If fitting in or around a doorway, we recommend the use of folding or removable bottom tracks from a health and safety and practical point of view.
• Where access is required at both side(s) of an opening, consider opting for a floating sash.
• Where fixed security is required, SeceuroGuard 1000 & 1001 can be manufactured as fixed panels.This option is particularly useful for protecting higher apertures.
• You must take into consideration during your measuring that SeceuroGuard’s which are different sizes, on the same elevation may contain different numbers of lattices and pickets. See the tables showing the changeover points lower down.
