Security glazing
In October 2016, BRE published the findings of a research project undertaken to investigate the performance and safety of glazing in security applications. The guide was primarily developed to help with the selection of effective security glazing.
The publication of ‘Security glazing: Is it all that it’s cracked up to be?’ (FB 55) followed a series of burglaries in London’s West End in 2008, ‘smash-and-grab’ attacks used to steal expensive goods from shop window displays.
The research explored the notion that, in some cases, glazing offered the least resistance to forced entry in situations where the generation of noise did not deter criminals. This premise was further demonstrated in the 2011 riots that hit major cities around the UK.
In addition to focusing on security, the research also examined an associated safety issue – that the majority of injuries from explosive events, including terrorist attack, invariably result from flying glass particles. Therefore, finding the correct specification of glazing to resist attack and reduce injury is vital.
The research uncovered a problem relating to the selection of an appropriate product to meet these dual requirements. A number of different glazing standards have been developed based upon specific test requirements. For example, glazing may be subject to a simulated manual attack or impacted by a known mass at a known velocity. However, the test results are not always directly comparable with those of tests conducted to other standards.
It is therefore useful to have an understanding of which standard is best suited to a particular application.
The types of glazing that the guide covers include:
- Acrylic.
- Fire-resistant glass.
- Float glass.
- Glass brick.
- Insulated glazing units.
- Laminated glass.
- Polycarbonate.
- Toughened glass.
- Wired glass.
The guide aims to assist architects, consultants, police officers and others who advise people on the selection of effective security. As well as focusing on physical security, particularly the resistance to manual attack of different glazing types, the guide also contains advice relating to other performance attributes.
You can download the guide from BRE Bookshop.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Annealing.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Building fabric.
- CCTV.
- Electric lock.
- Embedded security: Procuring an effective facility protective security system.
- Fire detection and alarm systems.
- Glass.
- Glass block wall.
- Glass manifestation.
- Glazing.
- How to install an underfloor safe.
- Outbuildings security.
- Patent glazing.
- Perimeter security.
- Polycarbonate plastic.
- SABRE Security Assurance by the Building Research Establishment.
- Safety glass.
- Secondary glazing.
- Security and the built environment.
- Types and manufacture of laminated glass.
- Types of alarm.
- Types of lock.
Featured articles and news
Specifying rendered external wall insulation for fire safety
How to interrogate the evidence provided to the specifier.
The benefits of writing articles for your organisation
How to create a profile for your organisation and publish for free.
No Falls Week. The importance of safe working at height
What to expect and what is on offer to avoid accidents.
Scottish Government action to reach net-zero targets
Retrofit expert group highlight critical actions needed.
A forward thinking, inclusive global community of members.
From engineered product life-spans, to their extension.
Circular economy in the built environment
A brief description from 2021. Where are we now?
Mental Health Awareness Week with ABS
Architects Benevolent Society programme of activity.
CLC publishes domestic retrofit competency framework
Roadmap of Skills for net zero.
May 13-19: Moving more for our mental health.
Understanding is key to conservation.
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
National Retrofit Hub unveils new guide
Digital Building Logbooks and Retrofit: An Introduction.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.