Product Testing
At Barrierscreens we take product development and testing very seriously.
It was not so much shock as disappointment when we were advised last year that less than 5% of security companies in Queensland actually had any of their products tested to Australian Standards. What was also of concern is that here in Queensland there is no legal requirement for any company to do so. Instead, most companies simply rely on testing done by others, usually a supplier with non specific results simply printed onto a brochure.
Last year Barrierscreens again embarked on a quest to have each security product we manufacture and sell tested to Australian Standards. Not only did we get products tested here in Brisbane at ASSA Abloy, we tested at Azuma Design in Sydney and Door Hardare Development and Testing in Victoria.
It is important to understand that testing alone does not ensure compliance of any product. As history shows most products will actually fail some or all of the different individual tests that make up AS5039. As a consumer you should be aware that the companies that scream the loudest on how strong their security product is may not be telling you the whole truth if they cannot show you recent test results in the name of the company that will actually install the products. For example, a company selling and installing “SecureView”, “Invisiguard”, “Crimsafe” or any other security system should be able to show you test results in their own name and not just those done by the supplier. In Western Australia, this is the law and we believe this should be the case here in Queensland.
Testing offers very real feedback on the best methods of manufacturing and installation, such as which are the best locks to use, what are the best methods of fixings and which screws or rivets are the correct gauge and length for the most secure installation.
Companies that choose not to have their products tested will never have the industry experience to correctly identify what is the best product and installation to suit each customer’s needs. So if another company is cheaper than the one who has invested in testing, we urge you to ask yourself, “Are you really getting value for money?”
