The task of producing a new construction is not a simple one. Completing a successful construction takes careful planning, an understanding of the budget, knowledge of the most suitable materials, collaboration with architects, engineers, stakeholders, and other specialists, and much more. An area that requires particular attention in your construction is security. If your choice of security is  bullet-resistant products, it’s clear a defence is required that can protect against firearms and other threats like forced entry or vandalism. We’re going to offer some guidance in relation to these security items, establishing insights on what needs to be thought about when specifying bullet-resistant products within construction projects. Afterall, you need to consider what product you’re going to be utilizing, as well as whether it will deliver safety and work with the function of the construction.

1. The Reason For Using Bullet-Resistant Products

Every construction that utilizes bullet-resistant products will apply them in different ways. Their use depends upon the requirements of the building. For instance, a school may use bullet-resistant glass within doors or windows in classrooms to keep staff and students protected against a shooting incident, while a store may need bullet-resistant products like display cases, to keep valuable items safe and to decrease the chance of theft. Before a choice is made on which bullet-resistant products need to be used, be sure to consider their ultimate objectives. Bullet-resistant products can be used to keep people safe, protect valuable assets, maintain operations, act as a means of future-proofing, and adhere to regulatory standards. By being wary of the reasons you need bullet-resistant products, you can pick one that will suit its application.

2. Location Issues

How well do you know the area that the construction will be placed in? Knowing more about the threats in an area will help with picking bullet-resistant products that can deliver an appropriate amount of security. Make sure to think about the crime rates in the construction’s location and how close it is to any areas of high-risk. That way, as you move through the construction project, you will know what you need to protect against.

3. Potential Threats

At the end of the day, bullet-resistant products are there to provide protection to a construction. They help establish environments that are safe for both inhabitants and assets. Assessing the risks that could occur within the construction can decipher what level of protection is needed. The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) details the amount of defence bullet-resistant products can offer. Their UL 752 standard defines the protection levels of bullet-resistant products. The capabilities of these products are set out in 10 levels. Level 1 can be utilized with small handguns while level 10 is applied to defend against a .50 caliber high powered rifle. UL 752 acts as a dependable framework that’s used to assess bullet-resistant products. Through it, defenses can be delivered that are both effective and reliable in construction projects.

4. Testing

Utilizing bullet-resistant products within a construction project necessitates the application of on-site testing to check if they’re able to adhere to performance and safety standards. Examples of on-site testing include:

  • Impact resistance testing: Uses blunt items, including battering rams and hammers, to produce a repeated impact. This shows whether the materials can remain strong against forced entry or physical attacks.
  • Ballistic testing: Applies gunfire tests with certain ammunition or firearms. These tests are related to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) or UL 752. They’re undertaken to see if bullet-resistant materials will work as intended when defending against firearms.
  • Durability and maintenance testing: Helps to simulate the wear and tear that comes from use. Through this testing, it’s possible to examine the product’s long-term performance and how simple it is to maintain.

Testing is a good way of establishing the performance of bullet-resistant products. It’s also helpful for learning about if they have any weak points and ensuring they meet specific standards.

Armortex Can Provide You With Bullet-Resistant Products For Your Construction Project

A construction’s security is essentially what shields its inhabitants from harm. Therefore, it’s critical that the right type of security is applied. For those in need of bullet-resistant products, Armortex has a variety that are available. Take a look at our products and see which one could be the right fit. There’s fiberglass panels, bullet-resistant doors, bullet-resistant windows, and other items that could be useful in your construction. Together, we can give your construction the security it deserves.