Safety Films

In the case of an explosion: solutions with window film holds the glass together avoiding particles of glass be propelled at high speed and injuring or even killing people.

In the case of human impact: window film reduces the risk that broken glass injures people.

In the case of impact by objects: window film holds glass together reducing considerable the risk of entry through the window.

Glass is a versatile material. It is used to allow light and warmth to brighten our buildings and improve the aesthetics. It is even used as part of the structural strength of buildings.

However, sometimes it can be a hazard when broken or is the weak point for deliberate attack. Fortunately, quality safety film provides an easy method of modifying plain glass for resistance to accidental impact.

Safety Glazing

Safety glazing is defined as a glazing material that passes a standardized impact test; the European impact test is EN 12600.

Safety Glazing
EN 12600 Impact Test

Impact tests use an impactor to strike the glazing material and assess if it safely resists impact. EN 12 600 also assesses whether it can reduce the risk of someone falling through the glass. The impactor is 50 kg in weight and is suspended on a steel wire.

A setup for the EN 12 600:
• A glazing sample (clear safety film + 4 mm float glass) ready for testing • The impactor is pulled away from the glass sample until it has increased in vertical height; this is called the drop height • The impactor is released and allowed to strike the centre of the glazing sample once.

Safety Glazing EN 12600 Classification and Specification

a Impact Resistance depends upon the drop height:

Class 1 = impact resistance at 190 mm, 450 mm and1 200 mm;

Class 2 = impact resistance at 190 mm and 450 mm;

Class 3 = impact resistance at 190 mm.

ß Breakage Type:

A = like annealed glass;
B = like laminated glass;
C = like tempered glass.

y Containment performance / reduced risk of falling through the window: EN 12 600 allows no split in the glazing material through which a 76 mm sphere can pass with a force of 25N.

Class 1 = containment performance at 190 mm, 450 mm and 1 200 mm drop heights;

Class 2 = containment performance at 190 mm and 450 mm drop heights;

Class 3 = containment performance at 190 mm drop height.

Specification Process

Specify the EN12600 performance level according to local Glazing and/or Building codes.

It may be that a Glass survey is required to identify the type of glass and understand whether any upgrade or enhancement is needed to meet the required performance levels and if so, which films are to be used.

To achieve the required EN12600 performance level, the type of glass and film combined must be taken into account.

For example, if a Level 2B2 performance is required, the table shows that ordinary annealed glass between 3mm and 6mm thick, with a standard 100 micron thick safety film applied to it, will meet this level.