When a facility needs protection from both severe weather and security threats, traditional building solutions may require separate systems to address each risk. A new line of high-security window and door systems from United States Bullet Proofing (USBP) is designed to bring multiple layers of protection together in a single, integrated fenestration system.
The new USAW 650 FEMA Window and USAD 1000 FEMA Door have been developed for applications where protection from tornadoes, hurricanes, and high-powered rifles is required.
Designed for installation in the exterior envelope of ICC 500-compliant storm shelters, these systems combine severe-weather and ballistic protection.
The products have been tested to meet the latest standards for storm and ballistic performance, including:
The systems have undergone testing for extreme wind pressures associated with tornadoes and hurricanes, as well as missile impact. Testing included a 15-pound missile traveling at 100 mph, simulating the impact forces associated with wind speeds of up to 250 mph. On the ballistic side, the frame and glazing have been tested to UL 752 Level 5 requirements, including protection against a 7.62mm full-metal-jacket NATO round.
Multi-threat protection can be particularly important in facilities where storm shelter requirements and physical-security concerns overlap.
Potential applications include:
For these environments, windows and doors can be an important part of the overall protective envelope. Combining multiple performance requirements into one system can help architects and facility owners address security and severe-weather considerations as part of the building design.
High-security products don't necessarily have to look like conventional security equipment. According to USBP, the new systems were developed to provide enhanced protection while maintaining the architectural integration expected in modern facilities. This gives architects and facility owners an opportunity to incorporate protective glazing and framing into a building's design without relying on separate, visually disruptive systems. The USAW 650 FEMA Window has also undergone independent testing for air infiltration and exfiltration, water penetration, and thermal performance, adding additional performance considerations beyond ballistic and storm protection.
As schools, government facilities, emergency centers, and other critical buildings consider increasingly complex security and environmental risks, building components may need to perform in more than one area. The combination of severe-weather resistance, missile-impact protection, and ballistic performance in a single window and door system represents an important development in protective fenestration. For facilities located in areas vulnerable to hurricanes or tornadoes—or facilities where ballistic protection is an important consideration—multi-threat systems can provide another option for incorporating protective measures directly into the building envelope.
Selecting the right protective window or door system requires more than simply choosing a product. Factors such as the building's location, threat profile, applicable standards, storm-shelter requirements, glazing specifications, and installation details all need to be considered.
Covenant Security Equipment can help you evaluate security equipment and protective solutions for your facility and determine what options may be appropriate for your specific application. Contact Covenant Security Equipment to discuss your project and learn more about available high-security window, door, and glazing solutions.
