Safety and security window film
Encyclopedia
Safety and security window films are polyester
films that are applied to glass and glazing in order to hold them together if the glass is shattered (similar to laminated glass
). The main difference between film and laminated glass is that the film can be applied to the glass or glazing after manufacture or installation, i.e., it is a retrofit
product. These films are used widely all over the world; they can be found on trains, buses, cars, and buildings.
They are available in various thicknesses, from 100 micrometer (or 4 mils minimum 2 ply) through to 525 micrometers + (21 mils). The film thickness is selected for level of protection desired and the dimensions of the glass pane. Manufacturers recommend 100 micrometer film (2 ply)for glass up to 3 mm (1/8 in) and 175 micrometer film for glass over 6 mm (1/4 in).
These films can be applied for security applications, where a delay of forced entry is desired. The Performance of these films is affected by adhesive bond strength, thickness of the polyester, quality of application, and window structure/frame.
The films are adhesive coated to bond them to the glass. The better safety films are those that are smooth-coated, because they have far superior optical clarity.
Safety and security films can have components added, such as for solar control and decorative effects. However, as mentioned before, it is their physical properties that allow them to be used in various applications, such as:
(tempered) windows can be and often are subject to sudden failure, for no apparent reason.
This is caused by contaminants (such as a nickel sulfide inclusion
) embedded in the glass during manufacturing, which can cause this explosive failure months or years later. Such failure in homes and commercial buildings can cause a sudden opening in the building, exposing its contents to the elements, with wind and rain causing far more damage than the simple cost of replacing a window pane. Protective safety films are an ideal remedy to maintain the weather seal of the building and prevent the massive rain of glass pellets that would otherwise instantly fall from tempered glass breakage.”
The building codes of some countries specify requirements for personal safety in architectural glass and glazing. Certain films with correct certification can be used to upgrade existing glass and glazing to meet the safety standards specified in the building codes.
activity is an ever-present fact of life. Ground motion during seismic activity causes building movement, which in turn causes glass breakage and glass fall-out, endangering people below, and again exposing a building’s contents to weather damage and theft during looting sprees. Safety and security films have proven their worth in protecting people and property during seismic activity, by helping retain window glass in its frame, thus prevent injury by falling glass.
People sourcing films for this purpose should choose a product from a manufacturer that can produce results for General Services Administration
(GSA) blast ratings, and check with the manufacturer that the installer has sufficient experience and knowledge to offer such products.
In order to assist in keeping the glass attached to the Security Window Film, and the frames, Shatter Safe Security Window Films recommend that the glass must be attached to the window frame (not the gasket) so that the edge of the film becomes an integral part of the glass and the frame. There are two common methods of accomplishing this. Wet Glaze utilizing a Building Compound adhesive more commonly known as Dow Corning 995. The other is a mechanical attachement system that utilizes metals of some sort that are attached to the window frame and cover part of the exposed window films.
These attachements assist in keeping the film attached to the frame mainly during bomb blasts.
During an unlawful entrance attempt, the same procedure will greatly assist in keeping the intruder out for an extended period.
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
films that are applied to glass and glazing in order to hold them together if the glass is shattered (similar to laminated glass
Laminated glass
Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that holds together when shattered. In the event of breaking, it is held in place by an interlayer, typically of polyvinyl butyral , between its two or more layers of glass. The interlayer keeps the layers of glass bonded even when broken, and its high...
). The main difference between film and laminated glass is that the film can be applied to the glass or glazing after manufacture or installation, i.e., it is a retrofit
Retrofit
Retrofitting refers to the addition of new technology or features to older systems.* power plant retrofit, improving power plant efficiency / increasing output / reducing emissions...
product. These films are used widely all over the world; they can be found on trains, buses, cars, and buildings.
Structure and physical properties
The films are adhesive coated to bond them to the glass. The better safety films are smooth-coated, because they have far superior optical clarity.Certification and testing
Safety and security window films are designed to perform under adverse conditions. As such, standards and standard tests have been devised to ensure that these films will perform in such a situation. It is advisable for any prospective user to ensure that his or her supplier can produce certification for such codes and standards. There are four best-known organizations that produce standards and guidelines for how a film performs under impact (see table below).| Organization | Relevant Standard | Description |
|---|---|---|
| British Standards Institution | BS 6206 (Class A, B & C) | British standard impact testing for annealed glass with applied safety film |
| American National Standards Institute American National Standards Institute The American National Standards Institute is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international... |
ANSI Ansi Ansi is a village in Kaarma Parish, Saare County, on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia.... Z97.1 |
American Impact testing for annealed glass with applied safety film |
| European Committee for Standardization European Committee for Standardization The European Committee for Standardization or Comité Européen de Normalisation , is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to foster the European economy in global trading, the welfare of European citizens and the environment by providing an efficient infrastructure to interested parties for... |
EN12600 | List of EN standards European standard Classification of Resistance of Glazing to Impact. |
| Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) | 16 CFR 1201.4 | (American) Impact testing for annealed glass with applied safety film |
| General Services Administration (GSA) | GSA-TS01-2003 | Standard Test Method for Glazing and Window Systems Subject to Dynamic Overpressure Loadings |
Applications
Safety and security films are used where there is a potential for injury from broken glass (such as glass doors or overhead glazing). These films can be applied to toughened, annealed, or laminated glass.They are available in various thicknesses, from 100 micrometer (or 4 mils minimum 2 ply) through to 525 micrometers + (21 mils). The film thickness is selected for level of protection desired and the dimensions of the glass pane. Manufacturers recommend 100 micrometer film (2 ply)for glass up to 3 mm (1/8 in) and 175 micrometer film for glass over 6 mm (1/4 in).
These films can be applied for security applications, where a delay of forced entry is desired. The Performance of these films is affected by adhesive bond strength, thickness of the polyester, quality of application, and window structure/frame.
The films are adhesive coated to bond them to the glass. The better safety films are those that are smooth-coated, because they have far superior optical clarity.
Safety and security films can have components added, such as for solar control and decorative effects. However, as mentioned before, it is their physical properties that allow them to be used in various applications, such as:
Protection from spontaneous glass breakage
Toughened glassToughened glass
Toughened or tempered glass is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Tempering creates balanced internal stresses which cause the glass, when broken, to crumble into small granular chunks instead of...
(tempered) windows can be and often are subject to sudden failure, for no apparent reason.
This is caused by contaminants (such as a nickel sulfide inclusion
Nickel sulfide inclusion
A nickel sulfide inclusion, , occurs during the process of manufacturing float glass .-Occurrence:In a batch of glass, contaminants that contain nickel might be present,...
) embedded in the glass during manufacturing, which can cause this explosive failure months or years later. Such failure in homes and commercial buildings can cause a sudden opening in the building, exposing its contents to the elements, with wind and rain causing far more damage than the simple cost of replacing a window pane. Protective safety films are an ideal remedy to maintain the weather seal of the building and prevent the massive rain of glass pellets that would otherwise instantly fall from tempered glass breakage.”
Personal safety
When float glass is broken (normal window glass), it breaks into sharp shards that are dangerous to anyone in the vicinity. This is particularly hazardous if the window is broken by human impact. Toughened (tempered) glass can produce showers of small glass pellets that can cause serious injury; especially in the event of a car crash (because most automotive side glass is tempered).The building codes of some countries specify requirements for personal safety in architectural glass and glazing. Certain films with correct certification can be used to upgrade existing glass and glazing to meet the safety standards specified in the building codes.
Protection of glazing during earthquakes
In many parts of the world, earthquakeEarthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
activity is an ever-present fact of life. Ground motion during seismic activity causes building movement, which in turn causes glass breakage and glass fall-out, endangering people below, and again exposing a building’s contents to weather damage and theft during looting sprees. Safety and security films have proven their worth in protecting people and property during seismic activity, by helping retain window glass in its frame, thus prevent injury by falling glass.
Increased protection from bomb and blast hazards
Explosions cause widespread damage, and in an urban environment (often containing lots of glass), the risk of injury is increased. In the event of an explosion in an urban area, flying glass is often the biggest cause of injury/trauma. However, certain specially designed films, when applied correctly, can contain these shards of glass, protecting the internal environment, and in some cases, retaining the pane of glass in the window frame.People sourcing films for this purpose should choose a product from a manufacturer that can produce results for General Services Administration
General Services Administration
The General Services Administration is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1949 to help manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies. The GSA supplies products and communications for U.S...
(GSA) blast ratings, and check with the manufacturer that the installer has sufficient experience and knowledge to offer such products.
Additional protection from hurricanes and windborne debris
Safety films can be used as an additional protection against flying glass when glazing is broken by windborne debris. By helping to prevent windows from shattering, or retaining shattered glazing in its frame, these films help maintain the “weather seal” of a building. This helps reduce damage from water and high winds. If the seal can be maintained, roofs are less likely to be blown off, and it is more likely that a building can be saved.In order to assist in keeping the glass attached to the Security Window Film, and the frames, Shatter Safe Security Window Films recommend that the glass must be attached to the window frame (not the gasket) so that the edge of the film becomes an integral part of the glass and the frame. There are two common methods of accomplishing this. Wet Glaze utilizing a Building Compound adhesive more commonly known as Dow Corning 995. The other is a mechanical attachement system that utilizes metals of some sort that are attached to the window frame and cover part of the exposed window films.
These attachements assist in keeping the film attached to the frame mainly during bomb blasts.
During an unlawful entrance attempt, the same procedure will greatly assist in keeping the intruder out for an extended period.