Compliance, the Two Labels, and the Testing Behind Them
Why choosing a compliant security door or window screen matters — and exactly what to look for when your Prowler Proof dealer completes the job.
One of the few items you purchase for your house and then rely on for your family’s daily protection is a security door or window screen. It’s simple to believe that anything marketed as a “security” door will work. Sadly, it isn’t always the case. A screen that has been tested, certified, and installed in accordance with the Australian Standard differs significantly from a less expensive lookalike that only mimics one throughout Australia. Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert to distinguish between them. All you have to do is understand what compliance entails and which two labels to search for.
What “compliant” actually means
Australian Standard AS 5039 governs home security screens in Australia. This is the standard that distinguishes a fly screen or a cosmetic “barrier” door from a real security screen. The three components of the standard are interdependent: AS 5039.1 specifies the performance and classification requirements for a product; AS 5039.2 deals with the installation of the screen; and AS 5039.3 outlines the testing procedures needed to demonstrate that a product can withstand a forced entry.
A screen must pass a number of demanding tests, such as a dynamic impact test, a jemmy (lever) test, a pull test, a probing test, a knife-shear test, and a corrosion test, in order to receive a security rating. There are two security levels for the dynamic impact test: SL100, where the screen must endure five impacts of 100 joules each, and SL200, the highest level, where it must withstand five impacts of 200 joules each and stay in its frame. The ForceField and Protec ranges have surpassed the maximum SL200 level, while Prowler Proof’s Diamond line is rated at SL100. A passing product is actually designed to keep an intruder out. A product that has never undergone this testing is, at most, an unknown quantity.
The risk of a non-compliant screen
Products that are not compliant are sometimes promoted as “safety” or “barrier” doors. Although they may appear nearly identical to a certified security screen in the showroom, they have not been shown to be resistant to a determined break-in attempt and may not be able to weather Australia’s tough climate over time, which includes extreme heat and coastal corrosion. If a screen is improperly installed or altered, even a high-quality screen may be affected. Because a screen’s strength depends on how it is attached to your house, both installation and manufacturing are covered by the Australian Standard. Selecting a professional-fitted, compliant solution is an investment in security that works when it counts.
The two labels that prove compliance
The easiest approach to verify that the security screen you received is authentic and compliant is to search for two labels. A product can only be formally classified as a security screen under the Australian Standard if it has both. One is applied at home, while the other is shipped from the factory. Together, they verify that the screen was manufactured and installed correctly.
| Manufacturing Compliance Label | Installation Compliance Label |
| Applied by the manufacturer, at the factory. | Applied by your installer, at the time of installation. |
| Confirms the screen meets AS 5039.1 and has passed all the tests in AS 5039.3. It will show a security level of either SL100 or SL200 — both indicate a compliant security screen. | Applied by your installer to confirm the screen has been fitted in line with AS 5039.2, so the product performs as it was tested to. This label is marked “do not remove” and should stay in place. |
A screen may be manufactured correct, but you can’t be sure it was installed correctly if it only has the labels. Regardless of the name, if it has neither, you just do not have a compliant security screen. It only takes a few seconds to check for both labels, which offers you genuine assurance about what is safeguarding your house.
Going further: Dual Directional Knife Shear Testing
Compliance is the floor, not the ceiling — and the mesh in your screen is a good example of why. The current Australian Standard only requires a manufacturer to test their mesh in one direction. The problem is that some mesh passes the knife-shear test in one direction, then fails when it is tested again at 90 degrees, because a lower-quality wire has been used in the weaving process in that direction. In other words, a screen can technically meet the standard in one direction but be weak in the other.
To close that gap, the National Security Screen Association (NSSA) created the Dual Directional Knife Shear Testing Industry Code of Practice (ICP), and the industry is pushing for it to become the new benchmark for security screen mesh. Prowler Proof has signed on as a participating business in the scheme, demonstrating a commitment to the industry’s most rigorous testing. Both Prowler Proof ForceField and Protec meshes have already passed the dual directional knife shear test — so when you choose these screens, you are investing in proven protection rather than marketing claims.
The NSSA also provides independent verification of security screen performance, conducting annual audits of its member manufacturers. Prowler Proof holds a Certificate of Compliance under the NSSA Compliance Accreditation Scheme, confirming its products meet AS 5039 requirements.
What you should receive from your Prowler Proof dealer
When your installation is complete, you should receive your two compliance labels — the manufacturing label applied at the Prowler Proof factory, and the installation label applied by your dealer’s installer once the screen is fitted.
If you would like documentation for your own records, you can also request a compliance certificate from your Prowler Proof dealer. It’s your record of the screens that were manufactured and installed compliantly.
Choose proven protection for your home
Ready for compliant, great-looking security doors and window screens, backed by Australia’s most rigorous testing? Find your local Prowler Proof dealer and request a free quote.
