KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNICAL INGENUITY

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Retrofitting Blast Proof Windows

Blast-proof windows are engineered to withstand explosive forces without shattering and also remaining in the window opening. Standard silica glass is a fairly hard material, with a mean Mohs hardness rating of 5 placing it directly in the middle of the scale between talc and diamond. However, hardness is a poor measure of how well a material can absorb incoming forces. Glass is notoriously prone to shattering in response to even moderate forces, making it a limited security solution and even a potential safety concern in the unlikely event of an explosion.

Main Markets for Bulletproof Glass

Within a few short years, the global market for bulletproof glass is expected to reach $7.65 billion after significant growth and investment in virtually every region. This represents an increase of almost double the market value in just six years. Europe and North America are tipped to maintain a disproportionate share of both supply and demand as countries in both regions continue to increase spending on defense and security.

Bullet Resistant Glass: Explaining the UL Rating System

Bullet resistant glass is designed to stop projectiles without shattering, absorbing their energy and retaining the bullet. Whether the glass succeeds in safely stopping bullets or not depends on several factors, namely: the material and architecture of the glass; the severity of the impacting force and the projectile material; and the number of subsequent impacts. Guaranteeing the specified level of protection requires a testing methodology that can reconcile each of these dynamic factors.

Fiberglass Composite Panels for Security

Ballistic-grade armor used to be specified based primarily on material hardness, hence the pervasive use of steel plates in body armor and vehicular plating. When a projectile strikes a hard surface it can either ricochet, shatter, or penetrate the material. The ideal situation is that a bullet will impact the hard surface of the plate and fracture. The impacting force will disperse as the shrapnel from the shattered bullet spreads out, protecting the safe side of the plate. Yet there is no guarantee that bullets will strike armor panels with the ideal trajectory.

Should Schools Be Equipped with Bulletproof Glass?

School security today is practically unrecognizable from that of little over a decade ago. Installing metal detectors and bulletproof glass in our schools would have seemed unnecessary in the early- to mid-90s. However, that preconception was challenged on April 20th, 1990: the day of the Columbine High School Shooting.

Commercial Security: Transaction Windows and Storefronts

Protecting your business from theft and armed robbery is a matter of ethical and commercial necessity. There were almost 300,000 robberies carried out across the US in 2017 alone; 118,745 of which involved firearms. This represents an enormous concern for store clerks who routinely operate in positions of vulnerability. The priority in commercial security should always be ensuring the safety of your most valuable asset; your employees.

Ballistic Resistance of Fiberglass Panels

Innovation in the field of ballistic resistance has historically followed breakthroughs in the field of firearms. Italian engineers first experimented with the idea of the bulletproof vest in the 1500s, following the invention of the wheel lock rifle. The design was a composite of layered metal plates designed to absorb impacts and shatter incoming projectiles, but the results were largely ineffective. Ballistic fiberglass panels have arisen as a direct result of centuries of research into protective apparel and architectural solutions.

Fiberglass Panel Security Solutions

Fiberglass was first engineered as a lightweight alternative to structural materials for various modes of transit, typically boats and small aircraft. Yet novel design techniques and new methods of developing polymer composites reinforced with glass fibers unlocked a raft of novel qualities, including excellent impact resistance characteristics. The material subsequently emerged as an unlikely contender for ballistic protection applications. This potential was rapidly expanded and explored to the point at which fiberglass panels are now among the leading components for structural bullet proofing applications.

5 Wood Security Door Styles from Armortex

Security doors are designed to shore up your defenses against forced entry and ballistic impacts. When a security threat becomes apparent, your personnel require a last line of defense to guarantee their safety. Standard fiberglass and wooden doors provide very little protection against determined assailants. Even the lowest caliber firearms can penetrate standard materials, representing a significant risk of harm if armed individuals attempt to force entry.

Aluminium Security Windows from Armortex

Bullet-resistant security windows are comprised of a composite system of alternating glass and polymeric layers – typically polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). These dissipate the force of an impacting projectile before it penetrates through the other side of the window. Bullets are captured within the composite, providing effective protection for personnel from a variety of small arms fire.