Security Glass

Applications Security Glass.

Viracon offers a variety of laminated glass solutions that can protect occupants and buildings from threats such as; forced entry, vandalism, bomb blast, and anti-eavesdropping.

Enhancing security protection with laminated glass facades also allows building designers and owners to achieve benefits of natural daylighting for occupants.

SecurityExplore.

Forced Entry & Ballistics

Protect against physical and ballistic attack

As targeted attacks on buildings continue to rise, ASTM has developed a forced-entry standard to qualify threat level protection for glass and glazing systems. Viracon laminated glass is capable to meet the criteria when installed in a suitable glazing system.

ASTM F3561

ASTM F3561 Standard Test Method for Forced-Entry Resistance of Fenestration Systems After Active Shooter Attack is the industry-preferred test method. This test method was developed to assess the forced-entry resistance of glass and glazing systems after simulating an active shooter attack. This test starts with ballistic weakening, followed by sequential forced-entry impacts utilizing a repeatable mechanical mechanism.

Laminated glass performance levels have been tested in accordance with ASTM F3561 Appendix X1 glass-only performance capability.

Security Level	ASTM F3561 ¹	Interlayer Options	Interlayer Thickness
Low	2	PVB	0.060″
Low	2	SentryGlas®	0.060″
Medium	3	PVB	0.090″
Medium	3	SentryGlas®	0.090″
Medium	3	Saflex™ VS ²	0.077″
Medium	3	Saflex™ HP	0.100″
Medium	4	PVB	0.120″ ³
High	7	SentryGlas®	0.180" ³
High	7	Saflex™ VS ²	0.154" ³
1 Laminated glass performance levels have been tested in accordance to ASTM F3561 Appendix X1, which indicates glass-only performance capability and is not a system rating. To qualify, window and door systems must be tested as a complete assembly of glass and glazing system. 2 Saflex™ VS is also referred to as Saflex Storm for the hurricane impact market, Saflex™ VS and Storm relate and refer to the same interlayer. 3 Cumulative interlayer thickness within a glass configuration. Two layers of the base interlayer are used.

Vandalism & Burglary

Protect against smash & grab, vandalism, and burglary attack

Laminated glass with a minimum .060” PVB interlayer can help deter vandalism by offering the penetration-resistance of a plasticized interlayer that maintains the integrity of the unit as a barrier in the building while keeping glass shards in place.

Viracon’s solution meets UL 972 burglar-resistant glazing requirements and is a secure choice for schools, retail stores, office and other buildings that desire vandalism protection.

.060” PVB laminated with two plies of 1/4” or 3/16” glass

Bomb Blast

Protect against bomb blast/explosion attack

Laminated glass has proven to be an effective solution for blast mitigation and offers protection when a building is exposed to the threat of explosives. Tests have shown that when windows glazed with laminated glass are subjected to a blast impulse, broken glass fragments tend to adhere to the interlayer, thus protecting building occupants from harmful glass shards or other debris.

Viracon provides a variety of laminated glass options which can help mitigate the effects of bomb blast attacks.

Two primary aspects of glazing that characterize blast performance:

Level of blast load causing the glazing to initially crack or break
Retention of glass in the frame
1. Laminated glass is considered a component of the overall glazing system; therefore, the blast mitigating performance is also dependent upon being installed into an adequately designed frame which is then anchored appropriately to the wall structure.

If glass leaves the frame, it has the potential to become a secondary hazard of the explosion. The hazard is dependent upon the size, shape and velocity of the fragments or shards and where the glass is propelled.

Classification guidelines for the performance of glazing during a blast event are used and defined in the table and diagram below.

Injury Hazard Classification

Glazing Protection Levels Based on Fragment Impact Locations

Performance Condition	Protection Level	Hazard Level	Window Glazing Response
1	Safe	None	Glazing does not break. No visible damage to glazing or frame.
2	Very High	None	Glazing cracks but it is retained in the frame. Dusting or very small fragments near sill or on floor acceptable.
3a	High	Very Low	Glazing cracks. Fragments enter space and land on floor no further than 3.3 feet from the window.
3b	High	Low	Glazing cracks. Fragments enter space and land on floor no further than 10 feet from the window.
4	Medium	Medium	Glazing cracks. Fragments enter space and land on floor and impact a vertical witness panel at a distance of no more than 10 feet from the windows at a height no greater than 2 feet above the floor.
5	Low	High	Glazing cracks and window system fails catastrophically. Fragments enter space impacting a vertical witness panel at a distance of no more than 10 feet from the window at a height greater than 2 feet above the floor.

Viracon recommends the involvement of a blast consultant to verify the performance of the glass and framing system combination. Contact your Viracon representative for laminated glass product recommendations for blast mitigation.

Anti-Eavesdropping

Protect against electronic eavesdropping with RF Shielding

With more data being transmitted and shared electronically, it is becoming necessary to protect private conversations, boardroom discussions and trade secrets from electronic eavesdropping.

This is especially true for government organizations, businesses, architects and building owners looking for ways to design secure buildings. For situations requiring this type of security, Viracon offers CyberShield® with Pilkington DATASTOP™ which is a laminated glass component that has been specifically engineered to attenuate the transmission of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation, also known as RF Shielding.

Contact Viracon to discuss CyberShield in your project.