High Security
Introduction to high-security glazing
High-security glazing plays an instrumental role in keeping people safe and building secure against a range of threats. This protective product can provide peace of mind for building owners and occupants of a wide range of facility types, from government buildings to offices, commercial centres, factories and more. Equally important, high-security glazing allows the people living and working in these buildings to enjoy unrestricted access to natural daylight and exterior views.
There are several distinct types of high-security glazing available to building owners. These include burglar-resistant glass, bullet-resistant glass, and blast-resistant glass. These glass products can be combined with aluminum & steel systems to offer a high security full system for any of your project requirements. Its important to understand that there are Glass Only solution and also a full system solution with is subjected to the tests evidence available with the supplier. We shall be glad to offer both option to the customer based on the standards to be adhered like EN or UL for a project.
European standard EN 356 sets the requirements for glass’ resistance to manual attack, such as might occur during forced entry. This standard also establishes a classification system that makes clear the level of protection offered by different types of glass. Glass classified to the lowest levels of attack-resistance, P1A up to P5A, can withstand an attack simulating vandalism (a non-premeditated action) and resist repeated impacts symbolized by steel balls drops. Glass classified to the highest levels, P6B up to P8B, is able to withstand greater force and repeated attacks with use of minimum 12 blows from a hydraulic hammer and 19 blows by an axe head (a premeditated action with tools). Glass in classes P6B to P8B are considered to offer the most effective protection against forced entry, but not really efficient against the use of heavy tools. Important note: the EN 356 compares attack resistance but without consideration of duration of time (only impacts resistance).
Bullet-resistant glass is tested to European standard EN 1063 for its resistance to withstand the impact of ammunition fired from handguns, rifles, or shotguns. Glass within classes BR1 to BR7 are tested for their ability to withstand fire from a rifle or handgun. of handful. Glass within classes SG1 and SG2 are tested for their ability to withstand fire from a shotgun. Glass within Class SG1 is tested by withstanding one shot fired at the centre of the glass. All other products are shot with three controlled shots fired in a 120mm triangle. Bullet-resistant glass must be labelled to identify the attack side, as well as whether it is a spall (S) or no-spall (NS) product. To be classified as bullet-resistant glass, the glass must remain within its frame. In some cases, there may be splintering on the occupant-facing side of the glass. These splinters, or spall, can potentially impact a person on the safe side of the glass.
Because the shock wave from an explosion can transform standard glass into deadly projectiles, blast-resistant glass is designed to provide a balanced combination of strength and flexibility. The rigidity and compressive strength of glass in balance the plasticity and energy-absorbing properties of polymer interlayers such as PVB help blast-resistant glass absorb the force of these waves. Blast-resistant glass is tested to European standard EN 13541 for its ability to withstand explosive force. Its designation as Class ER1, ER2, ER3, or ER4 depends on the amount of explosive pressure that the system is proven to withstand. This test involves simulations of an explosive detonation in a controlled shock-tube test mechanism. After testing, the glass must remain entirely within the test frame. Blast-resistant glass must be labelled to identify the attack side, as well as whether it is a spall (S) or no-spall (NS) product.
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