Is Your Shop Front Secure? Why The Right Certification Matters

What Is LPS 1175 And Why Should You Care?

LPS 1175 (Loss Prevention Standard) is a certification used to test the resistance of physical security products against intruders. Unlike basic standards that check if a lock works, LPS 1175 tests how long a product, be it a shutter, a door, or a grille, can withstand a determined attack using specific tools.

For a retailer, this standard is your benchmark. It shifts the focus from visual appearance to a guaranteed, measurable delay against physical attack.

Understanding The Ratings: SR2 vs SR3

The standard is broken down into Security Ratings (SR). It is important to note that these ratings apply to all physical barriers—whether it is a roller shutter on your high street window, a security grille, or a steel service door.

For most commercial retail environments, your insurer will likely specify one of the following ratings for your perimeter:

• SR2 (Security Rating 2): Designed to resist an opportunist attacker using tools like screwdrivers, pipe wrenches, and bolt cutters for up to 3 minutes of active attack time. This is often the baseline for general retail insurance.
• SR3 (Security Rating 3): A significant step up, designed to withstand a deliberate, forced entry attempt using heavier tools like crowbars and axes for 5 minutes of active attack. This is frequently required for jewellers, high-end electronics stores, and regulated premises.

Note: You may also encounter other standards such as PAS 24 or European EN 1627 (RC ratings) in your research. For a detailed breakdown of how these compare and which specific rating suits your industry, read our in-depth guide on Understanding Security Door Ratings in the UK.

The “Whole Assembly” Principle

A common mistake new business owners make is attempting to upgrade security piecemeal—for example, fitting a high-grade expensive lock onto a standard, uncertified door or shutter.

Under LPS 1175, the entire assembly is tested as a single unit. This means the frame, the hinges, the glazing, the slats, and the locking mechanism must all work together to resist attack. If you install a top-tier lock on a standard door or shutter, a crowbar will simply pop the frame or bend the guide rails, rendering the lock useless. This is why you must purchase a fully certified system, not just components.

Request a perimeter audit to confirm whether your current doors, shutters, and glazing meet LPS 1175 standards.

Ratings at a glace

• SR2: General retail; opportunist attack; baseline insurance requirement

• SR3: High-risk retail; deliberate attack; jewellers & electronics

• Key principle: Certification applies to the entire assembly, not individual components

Protecting Your Weak Points

At Secure Safe, we engineer solutions that harden your entire perimeter without sacrificing your store’s aesthetic. We categorise our protection into three critical layers:

1. The Visual Deterrent (Roller Shutters)

Your shop window is your primary advertising space, but glass is inherently fragile. Our range of Roller Shutters provides a certified physical barrier that can be deployed overnight.

• Retail Benefit: You do not have to turn your shop into a fortress. We offer perforated and vision-slat options that maintain visibility for window shoppers while providing certified impact resistance.

2. The Transparent Shield (Security Glass & Metal)

For high-value environments such as jewellers, pawnbrokers, or banks, standard glazing is often insufficient protection against “smash and grab” raids while the store is open.

• The Solution: We provide specialist Security Glass & Metal solutions. From manual attack-resistant glass (tested to EN 356) to bullet-resistant counters and screens (EN 1063), we can reinforce your customer-facing areas to withstand severe threats without creating a hostile environment.

3. The Back-Of-House (Security Doors)

Often the most vulnerable point of entry is the rear delivery door or fire exit, tucked away from the main street and public view.

• The Solution: We install high-performance Security Doors that look like standard steel doors but are engineered to LPS 1175 standards. Whether you need a personnel door or a fire exit, our doors are tested to resist sledgehammers and levers.
• Fire Safety: Crucially, many of our doors are also dual-certified with FD Ratings (such as FD30 or FD60), ensuring you meet both security and fire safety regulations simultaneously.

Buying Critical Response Time

The ultimate goal of physical security is delay, but delay is useless without detection.

An LPS 1175 certified barrier buys you critical minutes, preventing a “smash and grab” from becoming a substantial loss. However, this physical protection must work in harmony with your electronic systems. While the shutter or door resists the attack, your Intruder Alarm should be instantly notifying the monitoring station, and your CCTV should be capturing evidential-quality footage of the attempt.

A true security solution is one where the physical barrier holds the line long enough for the police or security response, triggered by your alarm, to arrive and apprehend the intruder.

Secure Your Perimeter Today

Don’t leave your new store’s security to chance. Whether you need unobtrusive shutters for a boutique or fortified glazing for a high-value counter, our team provides expert, certified installation nationwide.

Discuss Your Perimeter Security Requirements or view our full range of Security Products.

Next Step: Audit Your Premises

Ready to check if your new unit is secure? Download our comprehensive Retail Security Buyers Checklist to identify potential vulnerabilities before you open.