Anti-Shatter/Blast-Resistant Window Film Applications – Which One Is Right For You?

Over the years, federal governments, private corporations and international non-governmental organizations have been responding to terrorist attacks on their people and their properties by instituting physical security criteria and requirements.

One of the first measures that is often implemented is the installation of blast resistant (a.k.a. anti-shatter, fragment retention) film on the exterior windows of inhabited and occupied buildings.
There are many valid reasons that film installation is one of the early anti-terrorism measures adopted:

• Glass laceration injuries account for the majority of the personnel injuries (once outside of the close-in blast area) and the installation of blast resistant film can mitigate these injuries.
• The relative cost of blast resistant film installations can be significantly less than many of the other hazard mitigation measures (such as building hardening, protected perimeter installation, relocation of assets from vulnerable locations).
• A blast resistant film installation program can be rapidly implemented.

However, security and facility management personnel should remember that there are many flavors to film applications; that not all existing window systems are appropriate for all window film applications; and that the installation of blast resistant window films will only go so far in protecting the occupants of your buildings.

What is Blast Resistant Film?
Blast Resistant Film is generally a polyester film that is adhered to the interior (occupied side of window) surface of glass and is intended to reduce the number of glass shards propelled into an occupied space by keeping them adhered to the film itself. The film is thicker than traditional solar films and the mounting adhesive (the glue that keeps the glass shards attached t to the film) is more robust than those used for solar or thermal applications.
Blast resistant film does not make the glass itself stronger. Rather, it mitigates hazardous breakage by either holding the glass shards together (and the whole glass/film combination enters the room at a slower velocity than untreated glass) or by retaining the glass/film combination in the frame by attachments of the film to the framing system.

Installation Types
The two most common types of blast resistant film installations are Daylight applied and Attached installations.

• Daylight Application: a Daylight application of blast resistant film refers to installation of the film on the vision portion of the glass pane only, with no attachment to the existing framing system. This is the least expensive approach, but provides less protection than an attached installation.
• Attached Installation: when additional protection is required, the window film can be attached to the existing window framing system. Care must be taken when attaching the film as additional loads will be transferred to the frames and the walls supporting the frames during a blast event. If the existing window or supporting structure is weak (for instance, wood framed windows or unreinforced masonry walls) this can cause more widespread failure – and potentially more injuries – than breaking the glass alone. If the window framing and supporting structure are strong enough to support the loads transmitted then the final system can provide a significant increase in protection over both Daylight installations and non-filmed window systems.

Things to Consider
• Compatibility: Not all film is compatible with all existing panes of glass. Special care should be taken when the existing windows are wire glass, insulating glass units, laminated glass, tinted, have large surface areas, large glass thicknesses or have variations in shading over individual panes of glass. Most film manufacturers have what is known as a “Glass to Film” table that should be reviewed. Most of the restrictions are concerned with avoiding spontaneous glass breakage due to thermal issues. If film is installed on glass that is not within the manufacturers’ recommendations, the warranty may not be valid and you may end up with broken windows.
• Is it Really Blast Film: it is important that the blast film you select has been tested in a blast environment. There are a number of accepted test methodologies that have been developed over the years, these include:

o ASTM F1642 Standard Test Method for Glazing and Glazing Systems Subject to Airblast Loadings;
o GSA-TS01-2003 US General Services Administration Standard Test Method for Glazing and Window Systems Subject to Dynamic Overpressure Loadings;
o GSA Standard Test Method for Glazing and Glazing Systems Subject to Airblast Loadings;
o ISO 16933, Glass in building – Explosion-resistant security glazing –Test and classification for arena air-blast loading;
o ISO 16934, Glass in building – Explosion-resistant security glazing – Test and classification by shock-tube loading.

• Are Existing Window Frames and Walls Strong Enough: If you are looking for the additional protection provided by an Attached Installation, it is important to confirm that the existing window frames and walls are able to support the increased loads that will be created by a blast. Retain the services of a blast consultant to assess your existing conditions.

Will Blast Resistant Film Meet the Protection Requirements of your Facility?
Generally, blast resistant film can increase protection in lower pressure environments (i.e. around 4 or 5 psi (27.5 to 34.5 kPa) for Daylight applications and around 10 psi (69 kPa) for Attached applications) but will rapidly be overcome from higher pressures. Even small VBIED’s can result in pressures far in excess of these limits and the installation of blast film alone will not provide a substantial increase in protection.
When looking at protecting people, buildings and operations from blast effects, there is no single mitigation measure that will adequately meet all needs. Rather, implementation of a variety of measures is most likely required. These may include increasing standoff distances to potential locations of explosive devices, implementing security screening and access restrictions at your facility, mitigating the hazardous effects from window breakage, and hardening your buildings themselves.