Police stations occupy a unique position in the public safety infrastructure. They are open to the community but also house high-risk operations like custody handling, evidence management, and command functions. Their need to be open yet well protected generates a complex security challenge, one that can be met through the right level of defense for each area of the police station. Defense level selection involves matching the ballistic resistance of a building to the real-world threats a facility is likely to face. The use of certified bullet-resistant products, aligned with recognized testing standards, allows police stations to stay accessible while maintaining a high level of safety for officers and the public, ensuring a consistent defense across every operational zone.

UL 752 Ballistic Levels

Each police station faces different risks, ranging from spontaneous acts of aggression in public lobbies to attempts to breach custody areas or disrupt critical operations. Ballistic protection must therefore be proportional to the credible threat level and function of individual areas within the building. To achieve consistency, police stations rely on standardized testing systems that define levels of ballistic resistance. The most widely used is UL 752, which specifies how much ballistic force a material can withstand. It tests bullet-resistant products to determine their ability to stop specific ammunition types and velocities and prevent spall, the small fragments formed on impact. The higher the level of protection, the greater the ballistic energy the material can absorb:

  • Levels 1–3: Designed to stop handgun rounds such as 9 mm and .44 Magnum. These levels are suitable for public reception areas, front counters, and interview rooms where visibility and communication are important but the risk of high-powered weaponry is low.
  • Level 4: Tested against .30-06 rifle rounds. It is commonly used in booking areas, custody corridors, or other zones where a deliberate attempt to breach security is more likely.
  • Level 5: Rated for 7.62 mm rifle threats. This level is appropriate for evidence storage, operations rooms, and staff-only corridors that connect critical areas like control rooms or communication hubs.
  • Level 6: Offers high-velocity 9 mm protection and multiple-hit performance, making it the right choice for charge desks or command stations where repeat impacts are possible.
  • Levels 7–8: Protect against multiple hits from 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm rifles. They are typically used in armories, tactical response rooms, and control areas requiring sustained protection.
  • Level 9: Stops multiple 7.62 mm rifle shots at increased energy, offering a high level of security for communication hubs or facilities managing high-risk detainees.
  • Level 10: The highest standard in UL 752, designed to withstand multiple .50 calibre rifle impacts. Such a level is reserved for specialist or counterterrorism facilities where extreme threats are anticipated.

Core Bullet-Resistant Components in a Police Station

Bullet-resistant assemblies provide the structural framework that upholds the designated defense level. Consistent ratings across glazing, doors, and wall systems are essential for maintaining continuous protection and eliminating potential weak points. Some of the main protective components include:

  • Glazing systems- Balance visibility and security in public areas of a police station. Laminated glass and polycarbonate assemblies stop ballistic threats while keeping lines of sight clear, with thicker or more complex compositions used for higher defense levels.
  • Ballistic doors and frames- Regulate movement between public, restricted, and secure areas. The assigned ballistic level defines the constructed materials, frame strength, and locking mechanisms, which must align with the ratings of the surrounding walls and glazing to prevent weak points.
  • Reinforced wall and partition systems- Use ballistic fiberglass panels or steel linings to provide discreet protection within booking areas, corridors, control rooms, and evidence spaces. They can be installed during construction or retrofitted as part of an upgrade.

Choosing the Right Defense Level

A structured selection process ensures that ballistic protection in police stations is both comprehensive and proportionate:

  • Assess credible threats- Evaluate the specific risks faced by the police station. Review crime data, past incidents, and current threat levels to determine probable weapon types, engagement distances, and attack methods such as forced entry.
  • Map functional zones- Identify the police station’s public, controlled, and secure areas. Analyze staff and visitor movement between them to identify where ballistic protection will most effectively contain aggression or delay intrusion.
  • Assign UL 752 levels- Match each zone to an appropriate UL 752 ballistic level based on its exposure and operational importance. Public counters may require Level 2 glazing, while custody corridors, control rooms, and evidence stores could warrant Levels 5 or 6.
  • Specify compatible materials- Pick ballistic-grade materials, such as laminated glass, polycarbonate, steel, aluminum, or fiberglass, that are rated to the same UL 752 level and designed to perform together. Consistency in material rating and quality across doors, frames, glazing, and wall assemblies prevents weak points and sustains uniform protection throughout the structure.
  • Design for scalability- Select modular or replaceable systems that allow future upgrades if threat conditions change. This flexibility enables the police station to reinforce high-risk areas without major structural rework.
  • Document and review decisions- Record the reasoning behind each defense level and set defined review intervals. Reassess protection standards after incidents, renovations, or shifts in local threat intelligence to maintain alignment with current risks.

Supporting Police Station Security with Armortex Ballistic Solutions

Armortex supports police station design with bullet-resistant glazing, doors, and fiberglass wall panels that meet Levels 1 – 10. Our engineered products enable precise defense level selection across public, controlled, and secure areas, ensuring consistent protection throughout the facility. Designed for lasting performance, Armortex solutions help law enforcement agencies to protect their personnel, safeguard critical operations, and reinforce public trust. Contact our specialists today to learn more about our bullet-resistant products for police stations.