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GlassLock is one of the first companies
to conduct large-scale blast tests of retrofit safety
film –to-glass products to the GSA/ISC Performance
Criteria.
In 1996 our initial
test were conducted in accordance with the first draft
of the GSA/ISC Glazing Hazard Criteria guideline. Before
these tests, there was no empirical data, just anecdotal
information based on the past use of FRF by both the
Department of State and the British government.
GlassLock’s experience and performance data were
instrumental in the development of the current GSA/ISC
Glazing Hazard Rating Criteria.
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Many people,
including some engineers and architects, think of
windows as just glass. Anti-terrorism/Force Protection
and Blast windows must be thought of as SYSTEMS. Window
systems. Generally consist of:
A “Balanced Design” is essential for window systems so
that an Anti-terrorism/Force Protection or Blast window
is not attached to supporting structure that is
significantly weaker than the glazing, framing and
anchorage of the whole. This approach is critical to
ensure that the glazing is
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the weakest link in
the design and that it achieves the required level of
performance when combined with framing, anchorage and
supporting structure. The entire premise of “Balanced
Design” is to equalize the capacities of the window
systems with the rest of the structure (walls building
frame, roof, etc.). In this way the windows will achieve
the required level of protection without premature
failure or without being negatively affected by the
other structural components that are significantly
different in their behavior under load.
ISC/GSA Performance Criteria
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