Going ballistic

Many people think that bullet-proof glass is bullet proof, the answer is yes, but not necessarily.

It depends on the protection level of the frame and the glass.

As always, it comes down to a preliminary threat assessment, to determine the risk to both property and life.

For example, the level of protection required for a government or military building will be higher than the local post office.

When a bullet is fired at a sheet of bullet-resistant glass, it will penetrate the glass layers.

But it’s the interlayer, or interlayers, of polycarbonate and polyurethane, or a mixture of both, sandwiched inside the glass that absorbs the projectile’s energy and prevents it going through.

However, there are many kinds of ballistic projectile – ranging from shotgun, through to 9mm and .44 magnum handguns.

These might be the kind of ballistic threats that a petrol station or retail bank branch might reasonably want to protect against.

But at the other end of the scale are rifle calibres, for example, of 5.56mm or 7.62mm, with armour-piercing capabilities.

The penetration of bullets into building components depends primarily on the bullet velocity and the type of bullet. The typical bullet velocities are:

Handguns 300 to 500 m/s

Rifles 700 to 1,000 m/s

Shotguns about 600 m/s

A common misconception is that only the glass needs to be rated. However, the frame also needs to match the specified threat level to ensure a complete and engineered solution.

Wrightstyle’s advanced ballistic systems, which include both the glass and its frame, are designed as a primary system against ballistic attack, offering protection from a range of firearms.

Ballistic testing has been undertaken by a UKAS Accredited Test Laboratory, to the British and European Standard DIN EN 1522 (framing) and DIN EN 1063 (glass).

Testing to this standard is considered the most stringent and provides the highest level of protection.

In addition, our range of ballistic steel glazing systems combined with glass have been tested to the following international standards: CEN 1063 BR1 TO BR7, BS5051 G1 TO R2ap, STANAG 4569 Level 1 to 3, DIN 52290 Levels 1 to 5, UL752-1991, UNE 108-131086 levels 1 to5.

All our manufacturing processes are undertaken to Quality Management System BS EN ISO 9001: 2015, which ensures that uniformity is consistent by way of regular audits.

We can offer a fully fabricated product with or without glass and installation, along with design and specification advice.

We are able to offer ballistic and fire rated systems as well as ballistic and blast rated assemblies.

A video link can be found here

Main picture: Arran Wright, workshop and training manager, examines a demonstration door that was fired at by a range of calibres, at the ballistic testing centre. It allows us to show customers or visitors the effects of various weapons on both the glass and the door frame.