[{"category": "ballistic-resistant-windows", "text": "

Ballistic Resistant Windows

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Are there any bulletproof windows?

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Consumers searching for both security and the feeling of open space often ask for bulletproof glass windows, bomb proof windows or bulletproof home windows. In reality, this terminology is confusing and incorrect and deserves an important explanation. Contrary to popular myth, there’s no such thing as a bulletproof window. With the right caliber weapon and/or enough rounds, any window will eventually fail and allow bullets to penetrate. For this reason, experts commonly refer to such barriers as ballistic resistant or bullet resistant windows or ballistic windows.

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What makes a bulletproof window “bulletproof”?

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Ballistic glass, sometimes also referred to as ‘bullet glass’, is commonly constructed of several layers or thicknesses of glass. The more layers and thicker the glass – the more stopping power the window possesses. Laminated glass sometimes incorporates special polycarbonates. These materials are the most protective ballistic resistant glazing available and are often used in bullet resistant doors as well.

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Together these layers gradually erode the penetration speed of bullets when they strike ballistic glass windows. So unlike action scenes in movies, bullets don’t ricochet off bulletproof windows. They actually imbed in the glass and their kinetic energy is absorbed, slowing the projectile before it can penetrate the window.

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Why is ballistic resistance important?

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Safety demands that the designer and end user thoroughly understand the suitability of the product for the application. In the protective design and security profession, architects and engineers equip facilities with the level of protection required by the threats likely to be encountered by the building and its occupants. Clearly, in military theaters of operation, ballistic resistant window requirements will be far more robust than civilians wanting bulletproof windows for homes. In fact, residential housing codes do not have requirements to install “bulletproof glass” windows. It is entirely optional.

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Not surprisingly, bullet resistant windows meant for use at high value targets like chemical and petroleum facilities, government offices, embassies and military installations have very defined, incredibly robust requirements of ballistic and blast resistant protection.

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How are ballistic windows rated?

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Ballistic glass windows are typically rated for ballistic resistance, blast resistance, and resistance to forced entry. Rated bullet resistant windows are tested by several agencies, including the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), U.S. Department of State Forced Entry/Ballistic Resistant standards and/or by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

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What is a UL 752 rating?

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Created by Underwriters Laboratories, UL 752 ratings are the gold standard in measuring ballistic windows and range from 1 to 10 (from lowest to highest protection) with additional levels for shotguns. For example, Level 1 glass can withstand fire from small caliber handguns and would be appropriate for what a consumer would call \"bulletproof\" windows for homes or residential \"bulletproof\" glass windows, but less effective for use in an embassy or military facility where the attackers would likely be armed with multiple round, high caliber weapons like an AK-47. This increased firepower requires far greater protection like that found in UL 752 Level 8 glass designed and tested to withstand multiple shots from a 7.62mm weapon. A Level 10 rating tests and protects against one shot from a 50 caliber rifle.

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How is forced entry tested?

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The standard test methods for forced-entry resistance are set by the U.S. Department of State and ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials. Both standards were created to determine the ability of various types of fenestrations to restrain, delay or frustrate forced entry. They are designed as a timed test employing 2-6 attackers using various heavy breaching tools applied to the window or forced entry door product in an attempt to gain entry.

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How do I find the right ballistic resistant glass window for my project?

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The Protogetic Filter is designed to empower architects and engineers to search quickly for the bullet resistant windows specific to their needs – from consumer level bulletproof windows to the highest rated blast resistant windows (bomb proof windows) for government and military projects. With just a few clicks, the Protogetic Filter immediately delivers product and manufacturer options based on the desired ballistic ratings, blast response, blast impulse, blast pressure, forced entry ratings, size, dimensions, and materials. Protogetic eliminates inefficient time-consuming web searches and connects A&E designers to manufacturers in seconds. Sign up today for FREE at Protogetic.com

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"}, {"category": "blast-resistant-windows", "text": "

Blast Resistant Windows

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What are blast resistant windows?

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Blast resistant windows, often mistakenly referred to as “bomb-proof windows”, are designed and manufactured to withstand and protect personnel from terrorist initiated explosions or accidental blasts at industrial facilities like oil refineries, LNG depots and chemical plants.

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What other types of buildings need blast resistant windows?

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Any building that is potentially at risk for an explosion or the target of a terrorist attack would be better served installing blast resistant windows. This will depend on budget and whether the project is new construction or an existing one that requires retrofit windows. A risk assessment is imperative to determine variables like building type and materials, perimeter standoff distances and risk of hostile attacks. Potential locations include:

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Embassies
Nuclear plants
Military bases
Electric Utilities & Substations
Financial institutions and banks
Ports & Shipping yards
Airports
Train stations

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Are blast resistant windows different than ballistic resistant windows?

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Yes. Blast resistant windows safeguard property and personnel from an explosive threat whereas ballistic resistant windows are designed to protect against gunfire. These types of protection are not exclusive. Several top manufacturers make high security window products that are both blast resistant and ballistic resistant.

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How are blast resistant widows rated?

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Blast protection is very complicated because there are so many variables that influence how an explosion impacts the built environment, including:

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Pressure
Duration
Impulse
Rebound
Response
Structure type
Location
Window size

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Adding to this complexity is the fact that Unified Field Criteria (UFC) mandated by the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration (GSA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) all have blast resistant standards. Because manufacturers use different tests as well as combinations of these standards, understanding what all the ratings mean can be somewhat headache inducing as the following list illustrates:

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General Services Administration/ISC (GSA/ISC) -- Standard Test Method for Glazing and Window Systems Subject to Dynamic Overpressure Loadings measures the blast resistant capability of windows. GSA/ISC defines 1-5 levels of protection (LOP). A Level 1 LOP is the highest protection and would be designated as “Safe” with no hazard level. An LOP 5 would be rated as \"Low protection\" with a high hazard level.

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American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has different required guidelines and standards for blast resistant buildings used in the oil and gas industries.

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UFC 4-010-01 follows the DoD’s Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings by setting minimum blast pressure requirements for windows. The requirements depend on the details of your construction project like location, building type, and occupancy parameters.

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How do you determine which standard and rating is best for your project?

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Protogetic’s professional guidance is to have a threat assessment performed and discuss your blast resistant needs and any mandated requirements directly with the manufacturer. Blast resistant protection is highly unique which is why most leading companies offer fully customizable options. For this reason, many blast resistant windows can be engineered and manufactured to your project’s exact specifications. You can discuss your project needs directly with the manufacturer’s representative by simply clicking the “CONTACT MANUFACTURER” button on the product page you are considering.

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What is a “bombproof” window?

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A myth. There is no such thing as a bombproof window. No window can protect personnel from every type of explosion and their blast strengths. It is safer, as well as best practices, to consider windows as being blast-resistant.

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What materials are blast resistant window frames made from?

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Blast windows can be made from steel, aluminum and composites. Steel is very strong, heat and fire resistant and yet still can bend or flex inward to absorb the blast pressure. This allows steel to weather the explosion’s pressure wave. Aluminum is also frequently used as it is also resilient while possessing the advantage of being lighter than steel. You can better understand how explosions cause damage by watching BLAST: An Anatomy of an Explosion, a Proto-Talk given by nationally recognized blast expert, Holly Stone.

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What type of glass is used for blast windows?

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Primarily used for residential windows, annealed glass is very weak and cannot withstand the forces generated by an explosion. While heat strengthened glass is two times stronger than residential consumer glass, it still poses a significant safety risk of injuring building occupants with dangerous shards. It is estimated that 90% of blast injuries are caused by flying glass.

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For optimal blast resistance and debris safety, blast windows often use thermally tempered glass, or TTG for short. Fully tempered glass is four times stronger than annealed glass and rather than producing deadly glass shards, it “crumples” much like car safety glass.

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Is polycarbonate glazing used for windows?

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Yes. The reason is simple. It’s 250 times stronger than safety glass and 30 times stronger than acrylic. The American trade name for polycarbonate is Lexan. The flexibility of this thermoplastic compound is also excellent at dissipating kinetic energy. Testing at nationally recognized labs has demonstrated that polycarbonate protects against explosions generating 900 psi.

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What if my building design requires non-standard window dimensions?

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As discussed above, the variables involved in calculating blast protection are extremely complicated and varied. For that reason, the leading manufacturers showcased on Protogetic.com can accommodate custom dimensions. If you have questions about your project’s windows, you can get direct help from a manufacturer’s rep with just a single click of a button.

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Are blast resistant windows difficult to find?

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Not at Protogetic. We carry blast windows from leading manufacturers. You can search multiple blast variables like blast response and blast pressure as well as additional threat protections like ballistic resistance and forced entry. Protogetic also carries blast doors and blast resistant wall systems. So stop looking and start finding exactly what you need today!

"}, {"category": "fe-br-windows", "text": "

FE/BR Windows

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What does FE/BR mean?

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FE/BR (also interchangeable with FEBR) is an acronym for Forced Entry and Ballistic Resistant, sometimes referred to as Forced Entry and Bullet Resistant. It is used to describe the protective qualities of a number of high security building products including wall systems, louvres and high security doors. FEBR windows are tested not only for how they withstand various levels of force inflicted by people and breaching tools but also how well they protect against various types of ballistic assault.

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What is a FEBR window?

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FEBR windows are designed to protect against people armed with tools attempting to forcibly open the window and projectiles fired from weapons with the goal of disabling or destroying the window.

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What materials are used in the manufacture of FE/BR windows?

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The most common materials used in the manufacture of FEBR windows are steel, aluminum, wood and composites like fiberglass. The gauge of the material, the thickness and composition of the window glass, and the quality of the hardware all determine the length of time a window can withstand a given threat.

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What’s the difference between forced entry and FE/BR?

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Because of the ballistic threat component required by certified FE/BR windows, they typically use more resilient metal and glass as well as more robust hardware to withstand the force of a bullet or other projectile fired from military-grade weapons. This additional ballistic specification makes FEBR windows a welcome deterrent for use in high threat locations like military bases, refineries and government buildings that are more likely to become targets of hostile attacks. FEBR windows also have applications where sensitive or valuable inventory, information or data is located, stored or vulnerable to “smash ‘n’ grab” thefts. These could include:

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Luxury retail stores
Jewelry stores
Electronic & computer stores
Banks & financial institutions
Chemical plants
Oil refineries

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How are FE/BR windows rated?

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There are several test standards designated for FE/BR products. Some of the most consistently used standards are:

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ASTM F3038 -- Standard Test Method for Timed Evaluation of Forced Entry Resistant Systems
UL 752 -- Standard for Bullet-Resisting Equipment
ASTM F588 -- Standard test Methods for Measuring the Forced Entry Resistance of Window Assemblies, Excluding Glazing Impact
UL 972 -- Standard for Burglary Resisting Glazing Material
US Department of State SD-STD-01.01 Rev G

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Perhaps the most common tests for FE/BR windows are the Rev G, ASTM F3038 and the UL 752 standards. The latter is only a ballistic test, while both Rev G and F3038 include a forced entry requirement along with a less comprehensive ballistic test component.

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What is the SD-STD-01.01 Rev G standard?

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Rev G has a 7.62mm and a 5.56mm rifle test as well as a 12-gauge shotgun test for its ballistic standard. Additionally, it requires passing an extremely rigorous forced entry protocol encompassing three important criteria:

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Skill level of attack
Number of Attack personnel (2-6)
Tool type (sledgehammer, ram, bolt cutters, saw, pry bar, chisel & hammer)

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Rev G is a timed test designed to simulate a mob attack by attempting to forcibly enter or breach a building whether during a terrorist attack, criminal heist or rioting/looting event. Rev G designates three timed interventions as benchmarks:

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60-minute (6 attackers using all tools)
15-minute (6 attackers using limited tools)
5-minute (2 attackers using limited tools)

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The test’s running clock is stopped when the attackers penetrate an opening adequate enough for the standard “test item” to be passed through the window or the window is completely disabled to allow entry.

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What kinds of tools are used for the Rev G test?

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SD-STD-01.01 Rev G has a very daunting and comprehensive tool list:

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Sledgehammer, Carpenter hammer, Wood splitting maul, Wood ax, Crowbar, Wood splitting wedge, Hacksaw, Keyhole saw, Bolt cutters, Cold chisel, Masonry chisel, Flat blade screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, Channel locks, Adjustable wrench, Propane torch, Vice grip, Wood broom handle.

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What is the ASTM F3038 standard?

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F3038 is a similar test standard to Rev G but differs in that a 6-person team always conducts the attack. Additionally, there are four timed test levels instead of three: 5-minute, 15-minute, 30-minute and 60-minute.

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What is a UL 752 rating?

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The UL 752 standard is routinely considered the gold standard in measuring ballistic resistance for windows and doors. UL 752 protection levels range from 1 to 8 (from lowest to highest protection). Level 1 glass is rated to resist gunfire from small caliber weapons. A Level 8 rating would be appropriate for protection against attackers armed with high caliber rifles like an AK-47.

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What is the UL 972 standard?

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UL 972 Standard for Burglary Resisting Glazing Material tests the strength of the glass when attacked physically rather than being shot at. A test platform secures the glass horizontally. A five-pound metal ball is then dropped from eight feet when testing an exterior window. The distance is increased to 10 vertical feet when testing an interior window. A 40-foot drop is required for simulating high-energy impacts. The window passes only if there is no penetration of the glass.

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Are FEBR windows expensive?

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As a general rule, the more robust protective materials needed to manufacture FEBR windows make them more expensive than “consumer” windows traditionally used for retail and office building applications.

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Where can I find top quality FEBR windows?

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Architects, engineers, designers, and security professionals can easily and efficiently find the exact specified FE/BR products they need at Protogetic.com. Users save valuable time using the Protogetic filter and with one click they can directly message a manufacturer representative and ask additional questions or get a 100% no obligation price quote.

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"}, {"category": "windows", "text": "

High Security Windows

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What are high security windows?

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Unlike the familiar big box home improvement centers, Protogetic only carries high security windows specifically designed and manufactured to protect people from serious threats like intentional hostile and/or terrorist attacks and industrial accidents.

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What types of security windows are there?

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There are just about as many high security window types as there are threats. Among the many threat types is the possibility of forced entry with either the intent of burglary/theft or hostile attack like the Charlie Hebdo tragedy in Paris. FEBR windows, also called forced entry ballistic resistant windows, are also available. Protogetic also offers ballistic resistance windows for protection from gunfire. We even carry security windows that provide blast resistant protection from terrorist bombings or accidental industrial explosions.

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What are Ballistic Resistant Windows?

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Ballistic resistant windows are manufactured to protect occupants of buildings from gunfire. There are several standards for rating ballistic glass windows, including:

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U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)

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U.S. Department of State Forced Entry/Ballistic Resistant standard

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Underwriters Laboratories – UL752

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Where are bullet resistant windows used?

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Municipal building codes do not require or recommend bulletproof windows because the threat of taking fire in most civilian neighborhoods is very low. However, there are locations where the threat risk is very high and encountering hostile fire is far more likely. These include:

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Military bases
Embassies
Government offices
FBI and Law Enforcement Agencies
Chemical manufacturing facilities
Oils & Gas Refineries
Nuclear Power plants
Electrical substations

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What are forced entry windows?

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Forced entry windows protect against penetration of the building envelope by hostile means. They are engineered to prevent theft as well as hostile attack, whether from thieves, looting rioters or terrorists. All these unauthorized incursions start with individuals compromising building envelope by force. Not surprisingly, forced entry windows, as well as forced entry doors, are primarily utilized for exterior applications but also can be used inside buildings like banks, jewelry stores or post offices.

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How do forced entry windows protect against attack?

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The first goal of a forced entry window is to delay (or possibly deny) entry. The longer it takes for assailants to breach the window – the better chance there is for occupants to escape to safety and summon help. In the case of burglary, delaying entry provides more time for intrusion detection and law enforcement response.

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What is a FEBR window?

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FEBR windows are designed to protect against people armed with tools attempting to forcibly open the window. Some of the breaching tools used include:

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Hammer
Sledgehammer
Crowbar
Bolt cutters
Chisels
Hacksaw
Propane torches

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Since FEBR windows protect against firearms, a ballistic test is required. Typically, the UL 752 standard is the most relevant. However, the US Department of State SD-STD-01.01 Rev G also mandates 7.62mm, 5.56mm rifle and 12-gauge shotgun tests.

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Does Protogetic carry Blast Resistant Windows?

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Yes. Protecting against explosive terrorist attacks is vitally important in the modern era. Like blast resistant doors, blast resistant windows are engineered to withstand and protect personnel from terrorist initiated explosions or accidental blasts at locations like:

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Transportation centers
Shipping yards and Ports
Electrical substations
Oil and Gas refineries
LNG depots
Nuclear plants
Military bases
Financial institutions and banks

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How are blast resistant widows rated?

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Blast analysis and design protection is extremely complex because of the multitude of physical variables influencing an explosion. This includes the weight of the charge, explosive type, standoff distance as well as the pressure, duration and impulse to name just a few. To make matters a little more complicated, there are several blast resistance standards:

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Unified Field Criteria (UFC) mandated by the Department of Defense
General Services Administration (GSA)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

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Because blast criteria are so unique and multi-varied, Protogetic recommends that you consult with qualified blast engineers to determine the best blast resistant window and door system for your project.

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Are high security windows difficult to source?

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Not at Protogetic! We have just about every kind of high security window available. Our proprietary filter can search by the specific threat your project is likely to encounter – including ballistic attack, bomb threats and forced entry attacks. Instantly find the exact window specifications your project requires. And if you still have questions after downloading a product’s technical documents, you can direct message the vendor sales rep for detailed answers. You can even compare security windows side-by-side to make evaluations easier. Join us for FREE today at Protogetic.com. We have the fastest search for protective design products in the industry!

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