LPS 1175 Explained: What Security Rating Does Your Business Actually Need?

LPS1175 is one of those terms that turns up constantly in insurance requirements, tender specifications, and risk assessments — but rarely gets explained in plain English. If you’ve been told your business needs an “LPS 1175 SR2” or “SR3” rated product and aren’t sure what that actually means, this guide breaks down the standard, the classification system behind it, and how to work out which rating applies to your situation.

What Is LPS 1175?

LPS 1175 stands for Loss Prevention Standard 1175, a security testing standard published by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), part of BRE Global. Rather than judging a product on general build quality, LPS 1175 tests how long a physical security product — such as a grille, shutter, door, or fencing panel — can withstand a forced attack using a defined range of tools, within a set time period.

This makes LPS 1175 one of many LPS standards used across the security industry, but it’s specifically the one most commonly referenced for physical security products protecting commercial and industrial premises.

Why LPCB Approval Matters

LPCB approval means a product hasn’t just been designed to resist attack — it’s been independently tested against that specific attack methodology and certified by a recognised certification board. For insurers, risk consultants, and specifiers, this matters because it provides:

• A consistent, third-party-verified benchmark rather than a manufacturer’s own claim
• A way to compare security performance across different products and manufacturers on equal terms
• Evidence that can support insurance requirements or planning conditions specifying a minimum security classification

This is why LPS 1175 so often appears in insurer or risk consultant specifications, even when the end user hasn’t heard of the standard before being told they need it.

Understanding the SR1 to SR8 Classification System

LPS 1175 rates products on a scale from SR1 to SR8, with the rating reflecting the assumed threat level, the range of tools used in testing, and how long the product must resist attack. As a general guide:

• Lower ratings (SR1–SR2): Associated with opportunist attacks using a limited, easily concealed toolset over a shorter test period — typically relevant for lower-risk commercial premises.
• Mid ratings (SR3–SR5): Reflect a wider allowable toolset and longer resistance times, generally specified for premises holding higher-value assets or facing a greater threat level.
• Higher ratings (SR6–SR8): Represent resistance against a determined, well-equipped attack, typically specified for high-security sites such as utilities, government, or critical infrastructure.

The correct rating for a given site depends on a proper risk assessment — usually carried out by an insurer, risk consultant, or security specifier — rather than a general assumption based on premises type alone.

LPS 1175 SR2 vs SR3: What’s the Practical Difference?

Two of the most commonly specified ratings for general commercial premises are SR2 and SR3, and the difference between them often comes down to:

• Allowable toolset: SR3 testing generally covers a wider range of tools than SR2, reflecting a more capable attacker.
• Test duration: Higher ratings require the product to resist attack for longer before failing.
• Typical use case: SR2 tends to suit standard commercial premises with a moderate threat profile, while SR3 is more often specified where insurers or risk assessments identify a higher risk — for example, retail premises with higher-value stock, or units with a history of attempted break-ins.

Because the specific toolset and duration for each rating are set out in the LPCB’s published documentation, it’s worth confirming the exact requirement against your insurer or specifier’s brief rather than assuming based on general premises type.

How LPS 1175 Differs from PAS 24

LPS 1175 is often mentioned alongside PAS 24, a European and British Standard test for doors and windows, and the two are sometimes confused. The key differences:

• Scope: PAS 24 is specific to doorsets and windows; LPS 1175 covers a much broader range of physical security products, including grilles, shutters, and fencing.
• Attack severity: PAS 24 is designed around resisting brief, opportunist attacks typical of general domestic or light commercial burglary attempts. LPS 1175 tests against a defined, escalating toolset and is generally considered a more rigorous, security-industry-specific standard.
• Where each is specified: PAS 24 is commonly required under building regulations for new-build doors and windows. LPS 1175 ratings tend to be specified where a business or insurer has identified a specific security threat level that a standard PAS 24 product wouldn’t be tested to resist.

Which Security Rating Does Your Business Need?

Working out the right rating comes down to a few practical questions:

1. Has your insurer or risk consultant specified a rating already? If so, this takes precedence over general guidance.
2. What’s being protected, and what’s its value? Higher-value stock or equipment typically points toward a higher rating.
3. What’s the site’s risk profile? A history of attempted break-ins, a high-crime area, or a high-profile premises may justify a higher rating than a lower-risk site.
4. Is the requirement coming from a lease, planning condition, or tender specification? These often state an exact rating that must be met, removing the guesswork.

If you’re unsure which rating applies to your premises, the safest route is to check directly with your insurer or a qualified risk consultant before specifying a product, since the correct classification depends on factors specific to your site.

Where This Fits with Physical Security Products

Products like security grilles, including fixed steel bar grilles and retractable security grilles, sit within the wider category of physical security products that specifiers and insurers assess against standards like LPS 1175. Britannia Security has supplied and installed security products across commercial and industrial sites for over 30 years, working to the specific security needs and insurance standards each premises requires.

If your requirement includes a specific LPS 1175 rating, it’s worth confirming the exact classification and test documentation for any product you’re considering, since not all security products on the market are tested or certified to the same standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does LPS 1175 stand for and what does it measure?

LPS 1175 stands for Loss Prevention Standard 1175, a testing standard published by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), part of BRE Global. It measures how long a physical security product can resist a forced attack using a defined toolset, rather than measuring general build quality alone.

What does the LPS 1175 Security Rating 2 (SR2) mean?

SR2 is one of the lower tiers on the LPS 1175 scale, associated with resistance against opportunist attacks using a limited toolset for a set test period. It sits below higher tiers such as SR3, which are tested against a wider range of tools and for longer, reflecting a higher assumed threat level.

What are the key differences between LPS 1175 SR2 and PAS 24?

PAS 24 is a British Standard test focused on doors and windows resisting brief opportunist attacks typical of general burglary. LPS 1175, including SR2, is a broader LPCB standard covering a wider range of physical security products and tests against a defined toolset and duration, generally reflecting a more rigorous, security-industry-specific assessment than PAS 24.

What does an LPCB security rating mean?

An LPCB security rating means a product has been independently tested and certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board against a recognised standard, such as LPS 1175. It gives specifiers, insurers, and risk consultants a consistent, third-party-verified benchmark for how a product performs against a defined attack method, rather than relying on manufacturer claims alone.

Not Sure What Rating Your Business Needs?

Security ratings can be confusing to navigate alone, especially when a requirement is coming from an insurer or tender document. Explore our range of security grilles, or get in touch with Britannia Security to talk through your site’s specific requirements.

Note: LPS 1175, LPCB, and PAS 24 are third-party certification and testing standards. This article is a general educational overview — always confirm the exact rating and specification required for your premises with your insurer, risk consultant, or the relevant certification body, and verify current test documentation for any specific product under consideration.