The Beginners Guide to Window Security Film Applications
Shattered glass can be a risk to buildings that may not necessarily be a target for a bomb blast, but are in the vicinity of a building that is. In other words, if a threat assessment shows that there are high-profile targets nearby, applying security film to the windows might make sense to protect against residual blast effects.
The value of security film in protecting building occupants has been recognized by the federal government, especially after the events of 9/11, says Daniel Leclair, a security consultant with SAKO Associates.
“All government buildings have some type of window film or protective glazing on the windows”, Leclair says. “The majority of federal buildings have wet-glazed film application as a requirement.”
Benefits of Window Security Film Applications
Security film is also a recognized benefit in hurricane-prone areas like coastal Georgia and Florida because of the round the clock protection it provides. The Protecting People First Foundation studied the performance of window film during last year’s devastating hurricanes in Florida. The effort, called Project Safe Windows, led to a report titled Finding the Breaking Point. In one high-rise condominium, some windows were protected by 8 and 12 mil security window film; other windows had no film. None of the windows that had film were damaged, while some unprotected windows did sustain damage.
The report also described a pharmacy located in a strip mall. Although many storefront windows in the area were damaged, the pharmacy’s windows, protected by window film, were not damaged. In fact, they kept a looter from breaking in three days after the hurricane hit.