Written By: Brad Campbell | June 5, 2020
Blast-resistant windows are an essential part of any facility’s bomb blast mitigation system. Riot Glass offers a full range of security glass products with different blast resistance ratings. From security window films to complete Riot Glass retrofits, there are options for every budget, you can choose the right solution for your specific needs and goals. Blast windows play a crucial role in minimizing damage and injury in the event of an accidental or intentional explosion. Keep reading to find out how you can secure your facility and protect those inside against a bomb blast or another type of thermal blast with Riot Glass.
It’s important to remember that it’s not possible to make any building 100% explosion-proof. That being said, there are several options that you can choose from to increase the blast resistance of your windows and keep employees or building tenants safe. Let’s take a look at the three main types of blast-resistant window products offered by Riot Glass.
Window films offer the lowest level of blast resistance but are also the most cost-efficient way to add an extra level of blast protection to your window glass. Riot Glass safety and security window films are a pliable polyester Mylar coating that is applied to the inside of glass windows and doors to strengthen them against bomb blasts, accidental explosions, and other security risks. An additional layer of window film can be applied to the exterior surfaces of your glass to increase the protection level even more.
These window films can hold a building’s glass in place when it is shattered by the force of a blast. This prevents the shards from flying inwards and minimizes the risk of injury to those inside. Riot Glass is an authorized dealer and installer of Riot Glass Window Security Laminatess, which are widely considered to be the best on the market.
Riot Glass laminated security glass features a thermoplastic interlayer that is 5x stronger and 100x stiffer than standard laminated glass interlayers. This provides a higher level of protection against blasts than window films, for when the threat is higher. Laminated security glass can withstand high-force impacts from explosions and other sources and will not fly inwards when it is shattered. Laminated security glass can completely replace your facility’s existing glass or be retrofitted on top of it to add an extra layer of blast protection.
ArmorPlast shields provide the highest level of blast protection offered by Riot Glass. In fact, ArmorPlast isn’t even glass. These blast-resistant panels are composed of various combinations of acrylics, polycarbonate, and other plastics. Riot Glass ArmorPlast shields are available in non-ballistic, containment-grade and ballistic-grade options that offer varying degrees of blast protection. Riot Glass can also install impact-resistant framing along with protective panels to mitigate blast damage to the framing surrounding your windows and doors.
If you want to proof your windows and doors against bomb blasts and accidental explosions, the first step is to conduct a threat assessment. When you schedule a threat assessment with Riot Glass, a blast consultant will do a thorough inspection of your property to evaluate the threat level and identify vulnerable points. They will then use this information to determine the GSA blast mitigation performance requirements that your site needs to meet.
After the threat assessment, Riot Glass will develop a fully-custom system to meet or exceed the blast resistance standards required for your window glass. Of course, your budget is also important and will be factored into the recommendations. Riot Glass will work hand-in-hand with you to come up with a solution that suits your security requirements and doesn’t demolish your budget.
The most common way that Riot Glass installs blast-resistant windows is to retrofit them onto your existing window glass and framing. This is the most budget-friendly and efficient way to install a blast-proof system onto any type of facility. Retrofitting provides a similar level of protection to full window replacement, but without the higher cost. When it comes to security window films, they are just applied directly onto your existing glass using a water-based adhesive.
In some cases, a building’s existing frames might not be compatible with a Riot Glass retrofit. If this is the case for your facility, your existing glass panes and framing can be removed and replaced with Riot Glass blast-resistant windows and framing. No matter what specific installation process is required, Riot Glass always aims to get it done in the agreed upon timeframe and with as little disruption to you as possible. That’s why Riot Glass is happy to perform commercial installations on nights and weekends.
Blast resistance is not the only security benefit provided by Riot Glass products. Blast-resistant window films, security glass, and ArmorPlast shields all offer protection against other natural and man-made threats. These threats include forced-entry, burglary, active threats, rioting, looting, storm damage, and earthquakes.
The same qualities that make Riot Glass effective at mitigating blast damage and injury make it an effective all-around security solution. For example, blast-proof windows can also withstand forced entry attempts using hammers, crowbars, and other tools, or hold the glass together against repeated ballistic impacts. Riot Glass also prevents your windows from shattering when they’re impacted by storm debris or when experiencing a seismic event.
When you install Riot Glass, you can be confident that you’re getting a full security treatment. You can rest easy knowing that your glass windows and doors are protected against much more than just explosions. Contact Riot Glass today for more information about Riot Glass blast mitigation systems or to schedule a threat assessment with a blast consultant.
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