Today’s businesses can benefit from physical barriers that guard against a wide array of potential threats. Many companies and government agencies already understand the immense benefits of bullet resistant glass and forced entry glazing systems. But this isn’t the only type of protection that building owners and decision makers should consider.
Forced entry glazing offers another layer of security for businesses and government facilities. It is similar to bullet resistant glazing in that it is designed to more effectively disperse energy from the force of impact. However, it is tested to withstand blows from blunt objects like sledgehammers instead of ballistics. Some buildings may utilize both of these protective systems in different areas, while others may opt for just one or the other. Understanding the differences between testing standards and applications may help you make the correct choice for the specific needs of your building security project.
If you’re interested in utilizing forced entry glazing protection for your business or government facility, Insulgard Security Products offers solutions that can be customized to your needs. Our FORCEPROTECT line of glazing products are designed and tested to provide protection against various levels of forced entry threats. Here’s a guide to the options available.
Applications for Forced Entry Glazing
Basically any building or government facility that wants to add an extra layer of protection against vandalism, theft, or violence may benefit from forced entry glazing. Some of the most common building types that utilize this level of protection include retail businesses, financial institutions, and correctional facilities.
In retail establishments, forced entry glazing is often used in storefronts and in protective cases that house valuable items. In storefront windows, this extra layer of security can prevent intruders from breaking into the facility to vandalize or steal items after hours. This has become an increasingly relevant type of protection for Main Street businesses due to ongoing civil unrest in communities throughout the country. However, many businesses also use forced entry glazing to protect the areas behind counters where cash and/or valuable inventory is stored. This can prevent both smash-and-grab crimes of opportunity and deter more planned thefts from occurring.
Financial institutions often utilize forced entry glazing in countertop systems as well. These can protect team members from intruders who may want to steal the large sums of money stored inside. These materials can also be used in behind-the-scenes areas where money is counted and/or stored.
Many government facilities can also benefit from forced entry glazing products. Specifically, correctional facilities often use them to separate areas where inmates are housed. Since ballistic weapons aren’t allowed in these areas, the ability to protect against larger items thrown or swung at a wall or window is often more beneficial. This can keep correctional officers and visitors safe and cordon off areas where inmates are allowed to interact.
These are just a few of the common applications for FORCEPROTECT glazing. Many businesses and agencies may choose to also utilize bullet resistant glazing in certain applications. For instance, a bank may opt for a counterline system from our BULLETBLOCK line, but include FORCEPROTECT glazing for their cash storage and counting areas. Here’s more about the testing standards for forced entry glazing to help you determine the exact level of protection your facility may need.
Testing Standards for Forced Entry Glazing
Insulgard provides an appropriately rated forced entry resistant glazing that provides various levels of protection to fit the specific risk levels and needs of your application. Our FORCEPROTECT glazing products are designed to meet various levels of forced entry protection, including the following specific testing standards:
- ASTM F1233
- ASTM F1915
- HP White TP-0500.03
- WMFL
ASTM F1233 products come in five class ratings. Testing ranges from Class 1, the lowest rating, consisting of one forced entry sequence (10 blows from a ball peen hammer) up to Class 5, the highest rating, which includes 41 forced entry sequences ( consisting of multiple impacts from multiple tools and blunt objects as well as thermal and chemical threats).
ASTM F1915 products are rated based on how much time they are able to withstand various types of impacts. In this case, security grade 1, is the highest level of security, must withstand 60 minutes and 600 total impacts from blunt and sharp objects. Security grade 2 must withstand 40 minutes and 400 total impacts. Security grade 3 must withstand 20 minutes and 200 total impacts. And Security grade 4 must withstand 10 minutes and 100 total impacts.
HP White TP-0500.03 also has five classes of protection to specify various levels of blunt, sharp, thermal, and chemical deterioration. And the WMFL testing procedure actually includes impact tests using a claw hammer, sledgehammer, screwdriver, pipe, fire extinguisher, propane burner, and .44 magnum. You can see a full chart of all the testing standards for all of these qualifications, classes, and grades here.
Every business and/or government agency that wants to utilize forced entry glazing should review these performance and testing standards carefully before choosing a specific material. Since different buildings have varying security requirements, there’s a place for all of these options in different settings. For example, a retail establishment may choose a low grade material that’s designed to protect against small objects like a ball peen hammer. But banks and government facilities that may have to deal with more sophisticated threats could opt for higher levels of protection.
Insulgard offers forced entry glazing for all of these needs, and our team is always happy to help clients determine the products that best suit their security needs. We work with clients throughout the process to provide industry leading knowledge and customization options. For more information about our FORCEPROTECT glazing products, contact Insulgard today.
