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LPS 1175 A1 (SR1) Rating Explained
LPS 1175 A1 (SR1) Security Rating Explained
LPS 1175 A1, the Issue 8 rating commonly compared with SR1, is the entry level of the standard. It certifies that a complete product has resisted a quiet, opportunist attack using small hand tools that could be carried concealed on the person, for at least one minute. It suits low-risk openings where the aim is to deter casual intrusion. This guide explains what A1 means, how it differs from B3 and SR2, and how to specify and verify an A1 product.
Issue 8 ratingA1Tool category A, 1 minute
Compared withSR1Issue 7 Security Rating 1
Tool categoryAOpportunist, concealed tools
Minimum delay1 minProduct tested locked
Breach target400 x 225mm, a person-sized opening
What Does LPS 1175 A1 Mean?
LPS 1175 is the Loss Prevention Standard for intruder resistant building components, published by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), part of BRE Global. Every Issue 8 rating has two parts: the letter sets the tools the attacker can use, and the number sets the minimum delay in minutes the product must achieve. Category A and a one-minute delay are the lowest values on both scales, so A1 sits at the bottom of the Issue 8 classification.
At A1, the test team attacks the locked product with Category A tools and must not create a 400 mm x 225 mm opening, the minimum size a person can climb through, within one minute of working time. As at every level, the test covers the complete assembly, including the frame, infill, glazing, locks, hinges and fixings.
The Category A tool set
Category A represents an opportunist who relies on small tools that can be hidden in a pocket or bag and who wants to avoid attracting attention. The kit is limited to quiet hand tools:
- Hand tools: screwdrivers, pliers, knives and small spanners
- Manipulation tools: lock picks, fishing line and traction screws
- Attack style: quiet and quick, with minimal noise and no heavy leverage or power tools
An A1 product is tested against the kind of casual attack that defeats an ordinary, unrated door or window: prising a weak point, slipping a latch or manipulating a lock. It offers a certified baseline, but not resistance to the bolt cutters, claw hammers and cordless drills used at higher ratings.
| Issue 8 | Issue 7 | Tool category | Minimum delay | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | SR1 | A: concealed hand tools only | 1 minute | Low-risk domestic, basic deterrent |
| B3 | SR2 | B: bolt cutters, claw hammer, cordless drill | 3 minutes | Communal entrances, residential blocks, low-risk commercial |
| C5 | SR3 | C: axe, crowbar, lump hammer, gas torch | 5 minutes | Commercial premises, schools, healthcare, retail |
A1 vs SR1: Issue 8 and Issue 7 Explained
LPS 1175 Issue 8 came into effect in 2019 and was the most substantial revision of the standard to date. It replaced the single SR1 to SR8 scale with a tool category letter (A to H) followed by a minimum delay in minutes (1, 3, 5, 10, 15 or 20). A1 is the Issue 8 classification commonly compared with the old SR1.
At this level the letters line up neatly. The Issue 7 tool set behind SR1 was Category A, and it is still Category A in Issue 8. The letter shift that affects the higher ratings only starts at SR5, where Issue 8 turned the old D+ kit into Category E.
Issue 7: Security Rating 1
- Single number scale, SR1 to SR8, with SR1 at the bottom
- Category A tool set, minimum 1 minute
- Still found in older specifications and on products whose Issue 7 certificates are maintained
Issue 8: A1
- Tool category letter plus delay in minutes, A1 to H20, with A1 at the bottom
- Category A attack, minimum 1 minute
- Often written as A1 (SR1) for comparison
A3 is not B3: Issue 8 allows Category A tools to be tested to longer delays, such as A3 and A5. An A3 product resists for three minutes, the same delay as B3, but only against Category A tools, so it does not meet an SR2 or B3 specification. Always check both the letter and the number on the certificate.
Specifier note: where a specification calls for LPS 1175 SR1, Issue 8 A1 is the current classification for that threat level. If the wording insists on Issue 7 specifically, confirm with the specifier whether an A1 product is acceptable.
Is A1 Enough?
A1 is a certified starting point, not a high-security rating. It is worth specifying where an opening needs independently verified resistance to casual intrusion, but it is quickly overtaken by a determined attacker with heavier tools. Before settling on A1, consider:
- Who might attack: if the threat includes someone willing to make noise with bolt cutters, a claw hammer or a cordless drill, the opening needs at least SR2 (B3).
- What is behind the opening: higher-value assets, shared entrances and occupied buildings usually justify a higher rating.
- How quickly anyone would respond: one minute of delay only helps if an intrusion is noticed almost straight away, through natural surveillance, alarms or staff nearby.
- Planning and insurance requirements: Secured by Design guides, planning conditions and insurers may set a minimum rating above A1 for particular openings.
When to step up to SR2 (B3)
For communal entrances, residential blocks and low-risk commercial premises where the threat is a determined opportunist rather than a casual one, SR2 (B3) is the common choice.
The full rating scale
LPS 1175 runs from A1 up to H20, covering everything from casual intrusion to the most capable attack the standard recognises.
Where A1 Is Specified
A1 suits openings where the credible threat is a casual opportunist and the consequences of a break-in are limited. Typical applications include:
- Low-risk domestic openings
- Internal doors and partitions
- Low-value stores and enclosures
- Service risers and cupboards
- Low-exposure secondary entrances
- Enclosures in supervised areas
As with every rating, the choice should come from a risk assessment that weighs the value of what is being protected, the likely attacker and the time a response would take.
Specifying an A1 Product: Checklist
- Confirm the product holds an LPCB certificate showing A1 under Issue 8 (or SR1 under Issue 7), and check the current listing on Red Book Live
- Check the risk assessment, Secured by Design guide, planning conditions and insurer requirements do not call for a higher rating
- Check that the certificate covers the exact configuration, size and opening direction being specified
- Use only the locking systems listed on the certificate; other locks do not carry the rating
- Detail fixings and the connection to the structure, which sit outside the certificate
- Remember that resistance of access control systems to non-mechanical attack is outside the scope of LPS 1175
Frequently Asked Questions: LPS 1175 A1 and SR1
Is LPS 1175 A1 the same as SR1?
A1 is the Issue 8 classification commonly compared with SR1: both describe a quiet, opportunist attack with Category A hand tools, held off for at least one minute. The tool category is Category A in both issues of the standard. A product holds whichever rating is on its LPCB certificate.
What tools are used to test an A1 product?
The Category A tool set: small, quiet hand tools that could be carried concealed, including screwdrivers, pliers, knives, small spanners, lock picks, fishing line and traction screws. Testers attack the locked product and must not create a 400 mm x 225 mm opening within one minute of working time.
Is A1 the lowest LPS 1175 rating?
Yes. Category A is the lowest tool category and one minute is the shortest delay in Issue 8, so A1 is the entry level of the standard, just as SR1 was the bottom of the Issue 7 scale.
Is A3 the same as B3?
No. Both require a three-minute delay, but A3 is tested only with Category A hand tools, while B3 adds bolt cutters, a claw hammer and a cordless drill. An A3 product does not meet an SR2 or B3 specification.
Is LPS 1175 A1 the same as LPS 2081 Rating A?
No. LPS 2081 is a separate LPCB standard that measures resistance to stealthy intrusion, with ratings A and B. LPS 1175 measures resistance to forced entry. A rating under one standard never implies a rating under the other, even when the letters match.
When should I specify SR2 (B3) instead of A1?
When the threat includes a determined opportunist willing to make some noise with bolt cutters, a claw hammer or a cordless drill, or when the opening is a communal entrance, protects higher-value assets or falls under a Secured by Design or planning requirement that sets a higher minimum. SR2 (B3) is the common choice for communal residential and low-risk commercial entrances.
How do I verify an A1 product?
Ask for the LPCB certificate and check the product's current listing on Red Book Live. Confirm the issue of the standard, the full rating (letter and number), the certified sizes and configurations, and the locking systems covered. A product described as A1 or SR1 without an LPCB listing should not be relied on in a formal specification.
Get Advice on the Right LPS 1175 Rating
Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd works with architects, contractors and security consultants to match every opening to the right level of certified protection.
Contact our technical team to talk through your risk assessment and the rating each opening needs.
Get in Touch with Our TeamRelated Premier Security Resources
- LPS 1175 Security Ratings Explained: the full SR1 to SR8 and A1 to H20 guide
- LPS 1175 SR2 / B3 Rating Guide: the rating above A1
- LPS 1175 C5 / SR3 Rating Guide: for commercial premises, schools and retail
- LPS 1175 D10 / SR4 Rating Guide: the Category D power tool rating
- Contact Premier Security: technical consultation and project enquiries