Now more than ever, the demand for safety and security glazing for glass windows, doors, and storefronts is increasing throughout the U.S. With growing demand comes questions about which security glazing standards to use.
To answer some of these questions, Bill Lingnell of the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) hosted a webinar titled, “Security Glazing for Storefront and Fenestration.” In the webinar, Lingnell gave an overview of many safety and security glazing standards and the testing methodology behind those standards. He also discussed different types of glazing solutions used for security purposes. Including burglary and forced entry resistance, bullet resistance, hurricane resistance, and blast resistance.
Safety and Security Glazing Test Methods
The current test method for safety glazing is ANSI Z97.1, which requires the use of a 100-pound soft body impactor. This test method includes two classifications. Class A requires 400-foot pounds dropped from a height of 48 inches. And Class B requires 50-foot pounds dropped from a height of 18 inches.
For burglar resistance, UL 972 is the primary glazing standard. This is measured by an impact test that uses a 5-pound steel ball dropped at a height of 10 feet onto the glass. UL 972 testing requires multiple drops, including a high-energy drop from 40 feet. Additionally, testers condition the materials at various temperatures to simulate both indoor and outdoor environments. For materials to pass the UL 972 standard of criteria, there must be no penetration of the glass.
For door and window system framing, there are three standards for forced entry frame attack. ASTM F476 – hinged doors, ASTM F588 – windows, and ASTM F842 – sliding doors. These stands require the use of various tools and no glazing impact.
For hurricane impact, ASTM E2395 (Standard Specification for Voluntary Security Performance of Window and Door Assemblies with Glazing Impact) is used. This standard requires a glazing test impact in accordance with ASTM E1886 and missile specifications per ASTM E1996.
Security Glazing
Standard Test Methods
In addition to the standards mentioned above, several additional glazing standards apply to forced entry security. These include:
- ASTM F1233, Standard Test Method for Security Glazing Materials and Systems – Impacts defined by various weapons, such as extinguishers, sledgehammers, chisels, and gasoline; ballistic assault and anthropomorphic assault. The pass criteria for body protection is no permissible opening of a block in dimensions of 9-inch by 8-inch by 5-inch. The pass criteria for contraband protection is no permissible opening of a 1/8-inch diameter rod.
- ASTM F3038, Standard Test Method for Time Evaluation of Forced Entry-Resistant Systems – This method, which is designed to simulate a spontaneous mob attack, requires a full system test with no substitutions. Based on a defined set of tools and a predetermined number of aggressors, this test uses established time levels of forced entry (5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and user-defined minutes).
- ASTM F1915, Standard Test Methods for Glazing for Detention Facilities, – Impacts with forced egress, various types of weapons, and anthropomorphic assault.
Blast Glazing Standard Test Methods
Another interesting glass or fenestration test, ASTM F1642, requires shock tube or open arena testing. ASTM F1642 evaluates hazards of glazing against air blast loads and performs tests with or without a frame system. ASTM F2912 contains the rating and hazard level.
In summary, blast glazing standard test methods include:
- ASTM F1642, Standard Test Method for Glazing and Glazing Systems subject to Airblast Loadings
- ASTM F2248, Standard Practice for Specifying an Equivalent 3-Second Duration Design Loading for Blast Resistant Glazing Fabricated with Laminated Glass
- ASTM F2912-17, Standard Specification for Glazing and Glazing Systems Subject to Airblast Loadings
USGlassMag.com highlights additional standard test methods for safety and security glazing, as well as a webinar panel discussion that you find here.
Window Film Depot offers Forced Entry Glazing Solutions like DefenseLite™, as well as a retrofit ballistic panel system known as BulletShield™. For more information about these safety and security glazing solutions, contact us here or call (866) 933-3456.
