School Security Glazing

Bullet and Forced Entry-Rated Solutions

Binswanger Glass is approved through the TIPS USA Purchasing Cooperative (#220604) and National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (#02-137). In addition to general glass repair & replacement for pedestrian doors, windows, mirrors, glass partitions, our glass experts supply and install all seven levels of school security glazing.

The National Glass Association School Security Glazing Technical Paper FB71-21 breaks school security glazing into seven levels of resistance: Basic, Enhanced, Ballistic Protection, Forced Entry, Enhanced Forced Entry, Multiple Forced Entry Assault (Ballistics + Forced Entry) and Blast Mitigation.

Basic Safety Glazing is the bare minimum building code to ensure glass has enough strength to withstand accidental human-impact and that broken fragments are contained to avoid injury.

Enhanced Glazing provides protection from smash-and-grab crimes and are intended to deter theft and vandalism.

Ballistic-Rated (BR) Glazing, often incorrectly referred to as bullet proof glass (anything can be destroyed), is rated to provide protection against bullets from a variety of firearm ammunition calibers and related flying spall (glass fragments).

Forced Entry (FE) resistant glazing significantly delays unauthorized access. This additional time is intended to allow for lockdown protocols, making it ideal for access points such as vestibules. Forced Entry glazing resists penetration from common handheld or thrown objects, including hammers, knives, crowbars, bats, bricks, and rocks.

Enhanced Forced Entry resistant glazing products meet the requirements for forced entry resistant glazing after being weakened by ballistic assault. They are not designed for ballistic classification; thus, the bullets may penetrate the glazing. The goal is to resist entry for an adequate amount of time to allow for the arrival of emergency response personnel.

Multiple Forced Entry Assault (Ballistics + Forced Entry) combines the firearm Ballistics-Resistant BR laminates with physical-impact Forced Entry FE glazing ensuring resistance from various weapons and tools. These glazing systems have both ballistic and forced entry certifications and are designed for usage in high-risk areas where assailants may be armed.

Blast-Resistant Glazing is very rarely used in educational applications.

Interior doors, especially classrooms, should be designed to be locked down quickly with view panels or glass sidelights to increase the visibility. The National Glass Association also recommends providing ballistic rated doors and frames and matching the strength of the latch and frame anchor to that of the door and frame.

It is important to do a threat assessment and understand the levels of protection needed against potential threats and risks to identify the most appropriate protective measures. Binswanger Glass has the ability to supply and install every level of security glazing available for each school’s unique needs. We are ready to go to work for you.