With more than three decades manufacturing bulletproof security systems, Total Security Solutions is the industry leader for custom bullet resistant barriers that meet your bulletproof security needs on-time, on-budget, and expertly finished.
“Kevlar” is synonymous with “stopping bullets”–which tends to give the impression that there has been no progress in bullet resistant fiber manufacturing in almost 50 years. To the contrary, chemists continue to explore novel ways to meet the challenges posed by both commercial settings and the battlefield.
SHORTCOMINGS IN BULLET RESISTANT KEVLAR
Conventional bullet resistant fiberglass panels are made by stacking layers of woven Kevlar fabric, saturating these in resin, then pressing and baking this to form a hard, rigid sheet. Although Kevlar fiber has much to commend it in such applications, it isn’t without its faults. Panels reinforced with Kevlar fibers can catch bullets, but are not great building materials. Kevlar also tends to draw moisture out of the air. This isn’t a concern for the end-user of a bullet resistant Kevlar panel, since the resin locks water out, but it does complicate manufacturing, adding a tricky vacuum-desiccation step that’s a stumbling block in creating new mixed-laminate hybrids or casting complicated molds.
Finally, although it was developed for high-temperature applications (and is a close cousin to Nomex, the fiber used for fire-proof garments and radiation suits), Kevlar begins thermal breakdown at just 400 degrees Celsius. This might seem fine for most domestic applications, but it’s not going to cut it in a modern battlefield, and is not approved for situations where extreme heat in a disaster (such as an airplane accident or successful bomb attack) might cause the Kevlar to release fumes that could further endanger survivors, first responders, and rescue workers.
IMPROVING ON KEVLAR: SHIELDSTRAND
In response to these issues, Owens Corning developed a new fiber, ShieldStrand. Where Kevlar fibers begin to breakdown at around 400 degree Celsius, ShieldStrand can withstand upwards of 950 degrees before it begins to soften. It also lacks Kevlar’s moisture issues, and gives greater structural rigidity, impact resistance, and compression strength to the composite panels in which it is integrated. The end result is an easier to work fiber that is cheaper to produce than Kevlar, can offer the same bullet-stopping power in thinner panels, has higher temperature tolerances, and can be put to both structural and protective tasks. For example, ShieldStrand-based bullet resistant fiberglass panels can be directly integrated into the walls of military outposts and the bodies of battlefield vehicles, rather than being an additional layer taking up valuable space and adding weight.
An article on MyModernMet.com featured one artist’s unique tribute to Steve Jobs, the Apple co-founder who recently passed away. Michael Miller is known for his multi-layer sculptures that when viewed from a certain angle look more like a painting.
His most recent piece depicts the portrait of Steve Jobs featured on Apple.com. “It’s an expanded graphic portrait of Steve Jobs rendered with bulletproof glass that I found in a dumpster,” said Miller. The layers of bulletproof glass are suspended one piece in front of another and when viewed head on, it’s a striking representation of the late Jobs.
“Kevlar” may be synonymous with cloth bullet proof vests, but this fiber wasn’t originally intended to be used as a conventional fabric. It was developed to replace the nylon belts reinforcing tires. As it turns out, Kevlar cloth has certain deficits that aren’t apparent when it’s embedded in another material, such as the rubber of a race car tire or the baked resin of a bullet resistant fiberglass panel.
CATCHING BULLETS WITH KEVLAR
Kevlar cloth is woven from synthetic para-aramid fiber (a sort of super-strong cousin to nylon). Para-aramid threads have remarkably high tensile strength: They can put up with an enormous amount of pulling before breaking, and stretch very little in the process. A cloth woven from these fibers stops a bullet much as the backstop at a baseball diamond deflects a foul ball. Obviously, any single strand of steel bailing wire is strong enough to stop a baseball, but a ball striking a single strand of wire will keep right on going (albeit at slightly altered velocity); you need the interlocking structure of the mesh backstop to keep wild pitches from smacking kids in the crowd. Similarly, a hank of Kevlar is strong enough to stop a bullet, but that bullet will just slip between the loose threads. To be effective, Kevlar must be woven into a tight cloth before being integrated into a vest or a fiberglass panel. The resin in the fiberglas panel stiffens the layers of Kevlar cloth–so that it can be used as a building material–making sure that those fibers provide a sturdy backstop for bullets. The resin also protects the Kevlar from exposure to the elements, chemicals, and especially water.
WATERLOGGED KEVLAR DOESN’T WORK WELL
Kevlar cloth in a vest doesn’t have the benefit of being sealed in resin, and turns out to be especially susceptible to water. When Kevlar vests become waterlogged, the fibers can slip against each other, which compromises the integrity of the bullet-stopping mesh. Many vest wearers never notice this performance loss: The vast majority of rounds used in street crimes are relatively small-caliber, with blunt full-metal jacket or semi-wadcutter bullets. Against these bullets, wet Kevlar performs about as well as dry Kevlar. But things change in the battlefield, where Kevlar vests are worn daily in all conditions, and snipers use powerful rounds with sharp spitzer or soft-point bullets. These sharp-pointed bullets can penetrate further into a wet vest, because they can push between the fibers, which readily slide apart. This can result in dangerous blunt force trauma injuries, because more of the bullet’s momentum is transferred to the soldier’s body. In a worst-case scenario, bullets may even pass all the way through the wet Kevlar mesh.
To address this problem, researchers in Australia have been experimenting with wool-Kevlar blends for bullet proof vests. When waterlogged, wool expands and stiffens, locking the Kevlar fibers into place. Additionally, this blended fabric flexes and breaths naturally, making for a more wearable vest in inhospitable climates.
WEIGHT, COMFORT, STABBING, AND BLUNT TRAUMA INJURY
Battlefield usage introduces a whole slew of Kevlar complications. First and foremost, even in the best conditions, Kevlar is not terribly effective against slashing or stabbing with a narrow blade (which can slip between and slice the woven fibers). Additionally, flexible Kevlar offers little protection from blunt internal trauma: a bullet might be stopped, but could still lead to life-threatening internal bleeding, especially in the case of higher-powered rounds.
All things being equal, conventional Kevlar vests can be remarkably successful defending against conventional ammunition. But these vests begin to struggle when challenged with the more deadly ammunition common to the battlefield. To cope with this greater threat, battlefield body armor usually includes solid ballistic ceramic plates overtop the layers of Kevlar cloth. Conventional all-Kevlar vests are far from comfortable, and these hybrid Kevlar/ceramic shells are considerably more cumbersome.
ADVANCED KEVLAR TECHNOLOGY
One solution to all of these issues is to saturate the Kevlar fabric with a shear-thickening non-Newtonian fluid. Such fluids flow freely in normal conditions, but instantly harden when put under stress. The resulting cloth is pliable and non-restrictive under normal use, but instantly hardens to a shell upon impact–such as when a soldier is shot, stabbed, or blasted with shrapnel. As pressure is released, the fabric relaxes back to pliability. The flexibility of this bullet-resistant cloth also makes it practical to armor the thighs and groin. These are areas with large, vulnerable blood vessels–making them popular sniper targets–but demand a large range of motion if soldiers are to move freely in the field.
In 1964 Stephanie Kwolek, a research chemist at DuPont laboratories, had what looked like a bad batch of polymers. Nylon, the world’s first synthetic fiber, was just a few years old at the time, and chemists like Kwolek were eagerly searching for similar fibers for industrial use. In order to do this they produced batch after batch of liquid polymers, which were then forced through the tiny perforations of a spinneret machine, spun into fibers, and tested.
Kwolek’s batch should have been a clear, thick fluid–like nylon polymer–but instead was thin and cloudy. Most researchers would have assumed the batch was tainted, poured it out, and started over. Instead, Kwolek convinced the the spinneret operator to send it through anyway. Bullet proof Kevlar was born.
AN UNLIKELY MOTHER FOR BULLET PROOF KEVLAR
Kwolek was born in 1923, and spent her childhood tromping through the Pennsylvania woods with her father. By the 1940s Kwolek’s fascination with natural science had led to her studying chemistry at the Margaret Morrison Carnegie College (the “women’s college” of what is now Carnegie-Melon University). “I really wanted to study medicine,” she’s said in several interviews, “but I didn’t have enough money to enter medical school. I joined DuPont as a temporary measure” in the hopes of earning enough to pay for med school. As men returned from WWII, women were steadily displaced from technical fields. In a move to distinguish herself and keep her job, Kwolek dove into the relatively new field of synthetic polymers like nylon.
FROM TIRE BELTS TO BULLET PROOF KEVLAR
By the 1960s America was coming to grips with the early realization that oil was a scarce resource. Since harder tires roll more smoothly, and thus waste less fuel, DuPont tasked a team (including Kwolek) with finding a more rigid material to use in tire belts. Once it was spun into fibers, Kwolek’s inauspicious batch of thin, cloudy polymer didn’t just fit that bill, but far exceeded it. Kwolek had inadvertently discovered a whole new branch of synthetics: liquid crystalline polymers.
Nylon and polyester–the two synthetic polymer fibers made at that time–needed to be heated in order to be spun into fiber. This made their flexible molecules even softer, like cooked spaghetti; the molecules tended to tangle and wind around each other willy-nilly during the process, which made for a highly flexible, but weak, fiber. Kwolek’s thinner liquid crystalline polymer could be spun cool, and its molecules were like stiff little rods instead of spaghetti. As the liquid crystalline polymer is concentrated and forced through the spinnerets, these molecules align, forming long, stiff strands of unbroken molecules. The resulting fiber isn’t just good enough to make terrific tire belts; it’s good enough to stop bullets.
BULLET PROOF KEVLAR IN SPACE
“I was very hesitant about telling anyone,” Kwolek told the editors of Inventing Modern America: From the Microwave to the Mouse, “I didn’t want to be embarrassed if someone had made a mistake.” But this fiber’s remarkable characteristics were consistent, batch after batch: It was stronger than steel at 1/5th the weight. Today Kwolek’s bulletproof fiber isn’t just used for ballistic vests and bullet resistant fiberglass panels, it even protects astronauts on the International Space Station:
Bullet resistant panels and glass are nearly unique, in that the product is so familiar–we’ve all seen it, touched it, and know what it does–but, in contrast to a car, flat-panel TV, or college education, few of us have seen the price tag.
Total Security Solutions vice president Jim Richards admits, “it’s really hard when you get that initial call. You’d be surprised by the number of people that have no idea what this costs,” or how quickly customizations can add up. “That’s the challenge–informing the customer–more than selling: What are they truly looking for? Do they have a fixed budget? We’re not going to recommend a $10,000 solution if you only have $2,000 to spend.”
A Broad Price Range
It doesn’t help that the price range for a bullet proof system is wide: On one end, a tidy little transaction window with a counter and currency tray–which ships as a single piece and can be installed by any competent carpenter–might run as little as $900. On the other end, a custom design for a Federal Reserve bank in a major US city, with 4 doors, 22 windows, yards of bullet resistant fiberglass panels, and custom hardware can easily run upwards of $160,000.
Jim trains his sales staff to be prepared for sticker shock. “A cost is a cost; we let our salesman know that we don’t have anything to hide: you give us what your requirements are, and we’ll tell you what the costs are.”
Assessing those costs means answering three questions:
Fifteen states have legalized the medical use of cannabis, and dispensaries have popped up across the nation. For both legal and practical reasons, this is not a business sector that easily lends itself to franchising. According to Total Security Solutions vice president Jim Richards, “We haven’t found that there’s one person opening up 20 or 25 of these,” with deep pockets and a cookie-cutter design that allows them to save by bulk purchasing bullet resistant panels. “Every job is still a little bit different, and we try to accommodate everybody’s individual needs.”
Principal among these needs is affordability. Dispensaries are generally opened by altruistic entrepreneurs. Their experience is in horticulture and pain management, their budget tight, and their security needs unique: They handle lots of cash and warehouse medical-grade marijuana with a high street value.
Affordable Bullet Proof Systems
Securing a 16 or 20 foot opening in a strip mall can easily run to $6000, $8000, or $10,000. Jim quickly found that few dispensary operators had anywhere near this security budget. “They would call with a lot of big ideas, thinking that since you can go to Home Depot and buy a door for a $120, what’s the big deal in making it bullet resistant? Early on we were trying to bid people on what they were asking for, but we quickly realized that they couldn’t afford what they’d really like. But what they can afford really works for them.”
Total Security Solutions began to advise customers on how to build a cost-conscious bullet proof system: Start by framing out the area with stud walls backed with standard bullet resistant fiberglass panels. Install a bullet resistant door with a view scope or view window and leave a three-by-four or four-by-four opening for a pre-fabricated transaction window. “With this kind of system, we can supply them units that they can set right in place. Add half a dozen screws around the perimeter, and you’re off and running.”
Securing other Health Care Businesses
Total Security Solutions has seen a similar situation arise with independent family-run pharmacies. Over the last decade, prescription drug abuse has outstripped the use of street drugs like marijuana, and the tightly controlled supply chain for prescription drugs keeps their resale value high. For example, according to law enforcement agencies, OxyContin consistently sells throughout the US for $25 to $50 per dose; a pocket-full of pills can earn thousands of dollars on the corner.
Some street gangs in large urban centers on the east coast have begun running raids on rural pharmacies, even though the cash is almost invariably sealed inside a time-locked safe that workers cannot access. Jim has found that, “A lot of times, in a pharmacy, they aren’t even interested in the money; they’re there to get the drugs.”
In the past, small-town apothecaries had no need for bullet proof panels, but an increasing number are deciding to retrofit.
Luxury car company Audi recently announced plans to release its classic A8 sedan as an armored vehicle. The car is complete with bulletproof glass and armored plating.
This hardcore car earned the German VR 7 Ballistic certification. The certification means that the car is bulletproof, including fire from an assault rifle, and can also withstand anti-tank mines.
In the past bullet proof installation was entirely a matter of adding bullet resistant panels and windows to existing structures. Even though many modern buildings are now designed with bullet proof security in mind, half the work done by Total Security Solutions continues to be retrofitting.
Each Job is a Special Challenge
According to Total Security Solutions vice president Jim Richards, “One of the things a lot of companies struggle with, but we’ve really grown to enjoy, is that you have to keep in mind that every single job is different. When you walk into a pharmacy, you can’t think of any of the banks or the gas stations that you’ve done; it’s a completely different operation.”
One advantage to retrofitting is that you can see how workers actually interact with the existing space. A good system provides security without complicating interactions and work flow. Jim points out that “you always have to think about how the person who is going to be behind the bullet proof panels functions and operates day-to-day. How can we design this system to allow him to continue to do what he does without impeding him?”
Making a Pharmacy Bullet Proof
As an example, Jim points to pharmacies–especially since independent pharmacies increasingly find themselves in need of a bullet proof system. For practical and security reasons a pharmacy’s workspace is very constrained: tiny built-in desks must hold scales, computers, a cash register, and so on. Generally, customers come in at the far right of the platform, hand over a prescription, and then flow left as the pharmacist dispenses or prepares a compound. This is finally handed to the customer through a separate pick-up window at the far left. It might seem that securing the space is as easy as closing off the platform with bullet resistant fiberglass panels and installing bullet proof transaction at either end.
A California-based company has introduced an iPad folio that’s made of polycarbonate plastic, a material most commonly associated with bulletproof glass. Lapworks‘ new, clear iPad accessory promises to be a durable, shatterproof way to protect the device.
It stands to reason that the folio will indeed protect your iPad from scratches and dents. No word on whether it’ll actually stop a bullet.
One thing’s certain: Our inner geek loves this latest use of a bulletproof material!
After protests occurred in London tied to a recent increase in public college tuition fees, security surrounding Britain’s Prince Charles has increased. Among the new measures: Reinforcements to his Bentley.
The bomb-proof vehicle, valued at $235,000, is outfitted with bulletproof glass. According to published reports, the car also includes GPS tracking and armor plating.
What’s interesting is that the bullet resistant glass used in vehicles like the Prince’s Bentley might be one way, meaning it will stop a bullet from coming into the car, but not stop a bullet from being shot from within the vehicle.
It’s not unusual for dignitaries to ride in vehicles protected by bulletproof glass. In fact, The Presidential State Car of the United States is outfitted with bulletproof glass.
Founded in 1980 and privately owned, Evans Consoles is the world leader in the design and manufacturing of custom control room solutions for mission critical and other technology-intensive environments. Specializing in custom console, millwork and audio-visual enclosure solutions, Evans has built the reputation over the last 30 years of providing quality and service that continues to lead the industry.
About a year ago, Evans Consoles began working with Total Security Solutions.
“Initially, we were doing business with a Total Security Solutions’ competitor,” said Enzo Serpentini, a procurement specialist with Evans Consoles. “We were dissatisfied by the customer service.”
Evans turned to Total Security Solutions for help with bulletproof glass for new shopping mall-based financial facilities.
“The first quote came back exceptionally lower than what the competitor was charging, so we gave Total Security Solutions a shot,” Serpentini explained.
The product price was only the beginning of Evans Consoles’ satisfaction with Total Security Solutions. Even though Evans Consoles delivery timeline were very time sensitive, Total Security Solutions had no problem in meeting project deadline. Delivering remarkable turn around time, within two weeks, Total Security Solutions had shipped the product.
“Total Security Solutions made Evans Consoles look pretty good because our customer was happy,” Serpentini said. “We’ve used Total Security Solutions as our bulletproof glass provider since that initial experience.”
“I know that I don’t have to worry when Total Security Solutions is on board,” Serpentini added. “Once I give Total Security Solutions a purchase order, I can cross it off of my list because I’m confident the job will get done right, on time. I wouldn’t consider shopping elsewhere.”
This image shows the detailed anatomical features of the brain that MIT analyzes using models that simulate explosive blasts. Source: MIT. Image credit: Michelle Nyein
A study released Monday by MIT suggests that adding a bulletproof face shield to soldier helmets could reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injuries in combat troops. According to the paper, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, “adding a face shield to the standard-issue helmet worn by the vast majority of U.S. ground troops could significantly reduce traumatic brain injury. The extra protection offered by such a shield is critical because the face is the main pathway through which pressure waves from an explosion are transmitted to the brain.”
MIT reports that “more than half of all combat-related injuries sustained by U.S. troops are the result of explosions, and many of those involve injuries to the head. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, about 130,000 U.S. service members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have sustained traumatic brain injuries — ranging from concussion to long-term brain damage and death — as a result of an explosion.”
Attendees at the recent G-20 Summit in Seoul were protected by state of the art security, include a seven foot, mile long bullet proof barrier. The bulletproof barrier encompassed the meeting venue.
Other notable G-20 security included six goldfish. The fish were housed in an underground aquarium and were monitored for signs of poisoning.
The G-20, also know as the Group of 20, is comprised of finance ministers and central bank governors from around the world. Economically powerful countries, including the U.S. and Canada, met at the summit to discuss key issues in the global economy.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel have discovered that beta-amyloids, the destructive proteins behind Alzheimer’s disease, might have a practical purpose. Using these proteins, the researchers have developed an organic material that’s transparent and twice as strong as Kevlar.
According to an article published by the SyFy Channel:
Not only is this new super-material stronger than both Kevlar and steel, as far as is known it’s the hardest organic material in existence, ever. It also happens to be completely transparent, printable, easy to manipulate and just as easy (i.e. cheap) to manufacture.
Researchers think there’s a potential for the material to be used in existing materials, including bulletproof glass.
At Total Security Solutions, we appreciate any bulletproof barrier that saves a life, especially when it protects someone who’s acting in the line of duty.
Earlier this morning, a police officer from Grand Rapids, Mich. was shot during a standoff. The officer credits his bulletproof vest with saving his life.
Often, bullet proof glass is really comprised of polycarbonate materials. Pick up a big mirror and you’ll be reminded that glass is pretty darned heavy. In some situations, it’s simply impractical to create bullet proof “glass” when a polycarbonate solution would be lighter, but equally effective.
A downside to polycarbonates is that they are prone to scratches. This scratch potential is why you’ll get a cleaning cloth with eyeglasses or sunglasses you purchase, and why computer and TV screens have special cleaning products, too.
A great article on eHow.com explains how to clean bulletproof glass. Our suggestion: Use a soft cloth (not paper towel!) and a mild soap.
A recent NPR report highlighted the growth of bulletproof glass businesses south of the border. As Mexico’s drug wars intensify, so too, grows the need for armored vehicles.
Photo courtesy of NPR/ Jason Beaubien
According to NPR’s report, there are 14 armoring companies certified by Mexico’s federal government. A plant engineer at one of the armoring companies explains that armor protection can range from level 1, or basic, to level 5, or advanced:
“Armoring a car, particularly a large SUV, can mean adding more than a ton of steel, thick sheets of Kevlar and 3-inch-thick glass windows. Once you get to Level 4 and Level 5, we upgrade the suspension and in some cases the motor to compensate for the added weight.”
The report also includes reference to lives saved by bulletproof glass: “There have been… recent incidents in which bulletproofing saved lives. In April, gunmen ambushed the state security secretary for Michoacan, Minerva Bautista Gomez. The attackers fired 2,700 rounds into her convoy and ripped apart her Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to investigators. But the car had been bulletproofed and Bautista Gomez survived, though two of her bodyguards and two passing motorists were killed in the ambush.”
A transcript of the original report can be found here.
A great video from ABC13 in Houston proves that if it can stop a bullet, someone who tries to smash through a window that’s made of bulletproof glass has zero chance of getting through.
Check out the video of a man trying to escape through a bulletproof window
Courthouses are secure! And, although Total Security Solutions can’t confirm that it’s our bullet resistant glass that stopped this would-be escapee, we have installed our product in a few courthouses in the U.S.
Our website is full of great information on bulletproof glass, but we still get asked (often) how our glass works. We don’t want to bore you with all of the details, but did find this nifty explanation of the process on HowStuffWorks.
Image courtesy of HowStuffWorks
Keep your eyes peeled for the “Keep Out” episode of Modern Marvels, too. We were featured on this History Channel program’s look at the manufacturing of bulletproof glass and the episode is replayed periodically.
Luckily, technology has evolved since the 30′s. We no longer test bullet proof glass as is demonstrated in this video. It’s an oldie, but goodie… and a great reminder of far we’ve come at developing not only products that keep people safe, but ways to test them for effectiveness.
If you’re interested, click over here to find more info on the process that we use to tackle every unique glass project.
Harman Kardon, renowned experts in the audiophile world, recently unveiled desktop speakers that are made from bulletproof glass. The speakers, available through the Apple Store, can be connected to any device that has a 3.5mm (1/8 in.) output.
Bulletproof glass ensures max rocking out
Not only are these speakers a really artistic addition to your sound system, you can rest assured that the glass won’t shatter, no matter how loudly you rock out.
We weren’t surprised at all to read a recent article about the Secret Service museum’s bullet proof glass protection. Unwanted visitors to this invite-only facility are kept out by numerous security measures, including a bullet proof reception area.
Leave it to those who know a thing or two about security to trust bullet proof glass to keep their valuables safe!
Safety is always a concern at marquee events – from concerts to sports to rallies and speeches. One of the world’s largest sporting attractions, the World Cup(TM), kicks off tomorrow in South Africa, and it’s no surprise that safety is taking some of the event’s spotlight.
Private bodyguards and GPS tracking systems are available for rental, as are special vehicles to accommodate travel needs. Bullet resistant vehicles are being rented out to World Cup spectators at a reported rate of $2000 a day.
South Africa’s crime rate is among the highest in the world, but some argue that safety concerns regarding the South African venue are media hype. Regardless of what’s truth and what’s hype, some attendees aren’t taking chances while away from the stadium by choosing bullet proof glass to keep them safe.
We don’t often think of libraries as a place to find bulletproof glass, but for those that house historic, rare titles, keeping the priceless tomes safe is a priority.
The Linda Hall Library in Kansas City uses bulletproof glass to protect its collection of 10,000 rare books, including some as old as the 1470s.
Bulletproof glass keeps rare books safe at the Linda Hall Library
In a recent article from the Kansas City Free Press, Emily Ghertner reported: “The biggest “wow” factor at the Linda Hall Library is probably its History of Science Collection, which includes the Rare Book Room, home to first-edition works by the likes of Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton, as well as some of Einstein’s first publications. Inside the temperature-controlled, bulletproof glass encased vault, are printed books dating from the 15th century-19th century on a variety of topics from zoology and botany to physics and mathematics. There are landmark works by Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Copernicus, and a copy of Galileo’s The Starry Messenger (Sidereus Nuncius), first printed in 1610 with the first published images of the moon as an imperfect body. The spines of old books bare such exotic titles as A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, Natural Magick, and Harmonica Macrocosmica.”
Pretty amazing collection, kept safe by bulletproof glass!
The insanely popular Mafia Wars game on Facebook may have caused you to ignore many a status update. Here at Total Security Solutions, we took note of the recently added bulletproof glass award the game offers. Seems like real or virtual, bulletproof is the undisputed king of safety and protection in dangerous situations.
Bulletproof glass is awarded for certain jobs in Mafia Wars. You can check out this link to the Mafia Wars Wiki for more info.
“Glassphemy!,” a psychological recycling experiment in New York City, proves that bulletproof glass can not only protect art – it can be art!
Photo by Piotr Redlinski for The New York Times
A 20-foot-by-30-foot clear box, Glassphemy! is made of steel and bulletproof glass. At the art installation, people stand on a high platform and throw recyclable bottles into the glass box. Observers, who view from platforms circling Glassphemy!, are protected from the flying debris by the box’s bulletproof glass walls.
Glassphemy! is an all-around satisfying experience, according to the New York Times.
“The bottles smash fantastically, artfully designed lights flash, and no one is harmed.”
Bullet resistant glass (better known as bulletproof glass) is referred to very often in this niche industry. However it is a little known fact that in most cases there is no actual “glass” involved. The three most common forms of ballistic security glass are acrylic, polycarbonate and glass class polycarbonate.
Bullet Resistant Acrylic from Total Security Solutions
Acrylic: Bulletproof acrylic is the most commonly used material for transaction windows and ballistic resistant barrier systems. The acrylic material is available in UL ballistic protection levels one and two. The acrylic also has the option to have an abrasion resistant (AR) coating or be standard acrylic. The abrasion resistant coating comes standard on our level two acrylic and provides protection against cleaning solvents and weather, as well as an increased resistance to the effects of ultra violet light.
Polycarbonate: Bulletproof polycarbonate materials are normally composed of an acrylic core with two polycarbonate caps each side of the secure surface. Polycarbonate materials are available in UL ballistic protection levels one thru three and all three come standard with an abrasion resistant coating. All of the polycarbonate materials that Total Security Solutions offers also have a forced entry rating.
Glass Clad Polycarbonate: Glass Clad Polycarbonate (GCP) materials are composed of inter layers of glass and polyurethane with exterior caps of glass and abrasion resistant polycarbonate. GCP comes in UL ballistic protection levels one thru five and level eight as well. All of the GCP materials that Total Security Solutions offers carry a forced entry level in addition to their ballistic rating.
Now when someone is talking about bulletproof glass you can ask them, “what type of ‘glass’ are you talking about”…if it’s even glass at all! For more information on ballistic materials such as bulletproof glass please visit our website or call us at 866-930-7807
While we would love to be able to install every transaction window ourselves, it’s just not economical for either party. Instead Total Security Solutions has came up with a simple three step process for customers to “do it yourself”:
Transaction Window Install Instructions
Cut and finished an opening in the wall to accept the unit size. The opening should be ¼” wider and taller than the size of the ordered unit.
Place the pre framed window in the opening, shim as necessary, assuring that the item is level and in the correct position desired. Attach the sides to the existing wall with the provided screws (use anchors if the wall is masonry).
Apply trim, molding that can be obtained locally, around the window and your project is finished.
Bullet proof transaction windows come in UL protection levels 1-3 and several different types (such as the baffle and arched voice port). All of Total Security Solutions transaction windows come with a full installation packet which includes the instructions, hardware, caulk, glass cleaner and towels to clean the glass. For more information on transaction windows visit our website or call 866-930-7807.
Bulletproof glass recently protected observers at the Bots IQ 2010 National Competition, a robot battle royale in Miami. Mega powerful machines built by engineering students shredded, rammed and laid waste to one another throughout the competition to crown the toughest robot.
As the robots spun at bone crushing 2,500 rotations per minute and rammed each other with razor sharp fenders, observers were safely protected from flying debris, including glass, metal and other hazards, by bulletproof glass.
More than 500 individuals stayed safe behind the glass while 67 teams of high school and middle school students battled it out, robot style.
Bullet Proof Transaction Windows are the most common item of protection when it comes to bullet resistant products. At a glance they seem very simple; it’s just a piece of bullet resistant acrylic and some frames right? In theory that would be a good analogy but in actuality there are a lot of components that go in to engineering and ultimately building a transaction window. Depending on if you’re looking at a Baffle System, an Arched Voice Port or a Hole in Backer System the amount of work that goes in to each transaction window to make it secure is anything but simple.
Arched Voice Port Bullet Resistant Transaction Window
Starting from the ground up we begin with the counter top that transaction windows often have. The counter top is the foundation for the entire window and they come in two standard forms. The most common counter top material is plastic laminate, which can be provided in a number of different colors. The other is stainless steel. Stainless steel counter tops are often used in exterior applications and upon customer request. After the counter top is constructed then the currency tray must be either cut in or placed on top of the counter to allow money to pass between customers and employees. Most of our currency trays are recessed in to the counter top. Next comes the framing for the transaction window. Attached to the counter top is either a U channel bracket or 2 piece channel to secure the counter and window together along with pieces of 2 piece channel along the sides and top to hold the bullet proof glass in place.
Before the bullet proof glass is put in place the determination of what type of voice transmission needs to be decided. If you have chosen a baffle system, arched voice port or voice around then this is already decided; however other voice port systems are available such as the hole in backer, MK1 and MK2. Now that the counter top, frames and voice transmission system are chosen we move on the most important piece, the Bullet Proof Glass. Most transaction windows come with a level one bullet resistant 1 ¼” acrylic, however there are many other options for levels of protection. Bullet proof Glass Clad polycarbonate is available in transaction windows from bullet resistant levels 1-3 as well as polycarbonate materials. Level three LP1250 contains two 1/8th layers of polycarbonate sandwiched around an inch of bullet resistant acrylic. LP1250 offers great transparency along with a high level of protection.
There are many other transaction windows that are available such as bullet proof horizontal sliders and exterior transaction windows that can be installed in your place of business. For more information on transaction windows visit our products section of our website.
There was recently a story in the news that brought smiles to all of our faces here at Total Security Solutions. What was that story about you ask; the use of a bullet resistant barrier to detour a robber away from a bank in Florida. A burglar comically passed a note through the bullet resistant barrier and told the bank teller to “put your hands up”. The bank teller, standing behind a secure sound bullet resistant system, told the thief to “Kick Rocks”, for lack of better word.
Bullet Resistant Barriers
The would be robber was flustered and didn’t know what to do, so burglar took the honorable route (if that’s possible for a bank robber) and turned around then walked out the door. The lawbreaker was found a few hours later after being identified from a missing hubcap on the getaway vehicle. The crook didn’t put up any fight (just like in the bank) and admitted to the crimes immediately.
This just goes to show that bullet resistant systems can prevent crooks and robbers from turning violent in an environment that has a high volume of customers. Systems such as the secure sound bullet resistant system are available from Total Security Solutions to help employees and customers feel safer in a high risk environment.
Items like package passers are great for larger items such as UPS packages, bottles and other bulky items but they aren’t the best option when it comes to passing the most common item of all in a place of business, money. Currency trays are one of the most important items in a transaction area and they are often one of the last things on a person’s mind when it comes to ordering their bullet resistant products.
The three most common currency trays that you’ll see in banks, check cashiers, pawn shops and some convenience stored and gas stations are the standard currency tray, the flip lid and sliding currency tray. The standard tray comes in five different sizes and two different variations in which both have custom sizes available. They can either be recessed in a countertop or mounted on the top. All standard trays are also available with a bullet trap system that lets a bullet travel through the tray and in to a confined area to trap the bullet. The flip lid tray is often used in some exterior applications and is very similar to the standard tray, just with covers over the openings and a flat bottom to the tray. These trays are available in one size along with custom sizes as well. The sliding currency tray is very similar to the flip lid tray in terms of shape and functionality. The sliding tray has a lock on the employee side for added security and allows for some larger, bulkier items (such as cigarette cartons) to be passed without an issue. The sliding tray is available in one size as well as custom sizes as well. All of these types of currency trays can be installed in to any transaction window and are great for many different applications.
Below are the available standard sizes for all currency tray:
Bullet resistant fiberglass from Total Security Solutions
Bullet resistant fiberglass is somewhat of an afterthought to crooks and robbers. It’s normally well hidden underneath drywall or underneath a countertop; but there are many more uses for bullet resistant fiberglass then someone might think…
In the home: Just about anyone has something priceless that they would be devastated about if it were stolen; working like a safe room area bullet resistant fiberglass can do that. The fiberglass sheets can be constructed in to a room very similar to drywall to secure valuables and also keep your family safe from intruders in the case of a burglary.
At the workplace: There is a security risk at any job. Some (such as bank tellers) have a higher risk of being robbed at gun point then others. One way to keep employees and yourself secure is to line the transaction areas in bullet resistant fiberglass. It is not only a deterrent for burglars but also helps prevent total vandalism. The fiberglass panels are solid as a rock and are practically unbreakable, unlike drywall.
In the community: Schools, police departments and fire departments are also unfortunately at very high risk for criminal activity. In community locations such as these security is one of the first things that should be taken in to consideration. While there is no way to stop all violent crimes in these sectors, there is a way to prevent some of the very violent ones from happening with some added security. Fiberglass panels (along with other security measures) will show to a would be gunmen or disgruntled person that the community is serious about protecting its own.
Banks: The last (and most obvious) spot that needs added security is a bank. In a lot of cases there are entire walls, counters and rooms lined with bullet resistant fiberglass panels. Banks also tend to place bullet resistant barriers around their teller lines to protect the tellers from threats. The owners of the banks aren’t trying to save their money, which can be replaced. What can’t be replaced are the lives of the employees and customers at the bank. No insurance company can fix what happens after a robbery gone wrong. This is why many banks line as much of the area as they can to help protect their employees and customers from devastating things happening to them.
Bullet Resistant fiberglass can come in many sizes, levels of protection and can custom made for customers as well. Below are our levels of protection listed with the standard sizes of the sheet that they come in.
Level I (9mm) Level II (.357) Level III (.44 Mag) 3′ x 8′, 3′ x 9′, 3′ x 10′ 3′ x 8′, 3′ x 9′, 3′ x 10′ 3′ x 8′, 3′ x 9′ 4′ x 8′, 4′ x 9′, 4′ x 10′ 4′ x 8′, 4′ x 9′, 4′ x 10′ 3′ x 10′, 4′ x 8′
Rotary Package Processor from Total Security Solutions
Like the PE Package Passer (See last week’s blog) the Rotary Package Processor is a great option for convenience stores. However, unlike the PE, the Rotary Package Processor is the perfect option for fast food operations, restaurants and gas stations. This type of Package Processor allows many different (and larger) sized items to be passed back and forth between customers and employees. Like the PE, the Rotary Package Processor is only accessible from one side at a time, meaning that there is not breech possibility
The Rotary Package Processor has many features that are available as well, things such as additional locking mechanisms, integral cash tray protective barriers and three different levels of protection. The Rotary Package Passer comes in one standard size (Box OD 18″ W x 20″ H x 14″ D) as well as custom sizes per customer request and is available in three levels of protection.
For more information on Rotary Package Passers including available sizes and levels of protection click here.
Recently, Total Security Solutions expanded its partnership with ARCAT to include two additional categories: 13065 [Manufacturers of Bullet Resistant Components] and 13066 [Manufacturers of Bullet Resistant Storefronts]. This transition will enable architects to easily specify our complete lineup of bulletproof products.
A former bank branch location turned car wash might be hard to recognize if it weren’t for a few trace reminders, like the “product storeroom and its massive foot-thick steel door. Or maybe the former bank’s bullet-proof glass window, now converted into a coffee table.” As the financial industry continues to struggle, many banks have closed branches providing prime locations for other companies who can see their potential.
Last week, an Illinois inmate attempted to escape from custody at a local courthouse. After being trapped in a skyway, the inmate tried to jump through the bullet-resistant glass smacking his head and enabling police officers to secure him in handcuffs.
1-1/4″ U-Channel and 2-Piece Channel: Available in stock, ready to ship in standard 8′ lengths.
PE Package Passer: Consisting of a rectangular box built from transparent bullet resistant glazing material, the PE Package Passer is typically 14″ W x 14″ H x 14″ D (outer dimension). Custom sizes, however, can be ordered.
Rotary Package Passer: Featuring an inner revolving unit enabling access on only one side at a time, either the customer or the employee side, the Rotary Package Passer is available for next day shipping.
Wood Doors: Also available with an electric strike release system, push buttons, and transformer.
Baffle Interior Transaction Window: The Level I Baffle Interior Transaction Window with arch is available for next day shipping and comes standard in clear aluminum with a black countertop and 12″ recessed currency tray.
While many convenience stores may already have horizontal or vertical sliders installed in their facilities providing varying levels of security at different times of day, Total Security Solutions launched a new product – the Electric Vertical Slider. Demonstrating our commitment to innovation, Total Security Solutions developed the Electric Vertical Slider to provide users ease of opening and closing a transaction window through the use of an electric motor.
In addition, electronic locks are used to ensure maximum security. Photo electric eyes, similar to the operation of a garage door, are installed to ensure safe operation. If an object intersects the laser beam of the photo electric eyes, the slider will stop operation immediately.
The Electric Vertical Slider is available in UL Level 1-3 protection and is ideal for convenience stores, fast food outlets, governmental offices, and other high profile/high traffic facilities.
Individuals employed in high-risk occupations, such as replenishing an ATM machine, now have the option of more discreet bullet-resistant apparel. “Made to look normal, not the bulky and obvious vests worn by police officers,” bullet-resistant clothing enables individuals to blend in with their surroundings rather than call attention to themselves. Starting at $800, clothing options include items such as a polo shirt, leather jacket or hoodie. While bullet-resistant clothing is currently more popular overseas, one Florida man purchased a hoodie after a string of robberies stating, “How much is your life worth?”
Total Security Solutions specializes in providing secure, bullet-resistant entryways for banks, credit unions, government facilities, hospitals, etc. We offer three different types of bullet resistant aluminum frames that can be purchased in custom lengths or if you prefer, you can purchase 8’ stock lengths and do your own cutting and fabrication.
The TSS-BL1.75 Ballistic Frame is designed for window wall framing systems and can be fit with glazing from ¾” polycarbonate to 1-3/8” acrylic. It provides up to Level III protection and allows for the integration of an aluminum door. This type of bullet-resistant frame can be secured to the ceiling or the floor and is weather-resistant. It is available in clear anodized, dark bronze anodized or custom paint finishes.
The TSS-BL2.5 Ballistic Frame also provides up to Level III protection, but it must be screwed into the wall for support so it works best for fixed openings, such as a window in a block wall. The TSS-BL2.5 is weather-resistant and accommodates the same size glazing as the TSS-BL1.75. It is also available in clear anodized, dark bronze anodized or custom paint finishes.
The third type of aluminum framing available is the Non-Secure Framing. While this particular type of aluminum framing can be used on exterior applications, it is most frequently used inside where there is not a high security threat, but bullet-resistant materials are desired. It can accommodate ¾” polycarbonate to 1-3/8” acrylic and is available in clear anodized and dark bronze anodized finishes.
In keeping with our dedication to high quality products, Total Security Solutions has recently began working with GlasForms, Inc to provide our bullet resistant fiberglass. TotalArmor is available in UL Level 1-3 protection in the following sizes:
Level 1: 3’ x 8’, 4’ x 8’ Level 2: 3’ x 9’, 4’ x 9’ Level 3: 3’ x 10’, 4’ x 10’
TotalArmor has a smooth paintable finish and an extremely tight thickness tolerance providing ease of installation and fitting. The Level 3 bullet resistant fiberglass has a ½” nominal thickness and this thickness is consistent across the entire sheet of fiberglass ensuring that corners properly align.
GlasForms, Inc manufactures its bullet resistant fiberglass using a “proprietary resin injection pultrusion process utilizing multiple layers of woven ‘E’ glass reinforcements encapsulated in a proprietary resin matrix.” GlasForms was established in 1978 and has become an industry leader as it is the “first pultruder with such a broad product range to achieve ISO registration.”
Security levels for bullet-resistant systems have been established by UL (Underwriters Laboratory), the primary testing organization for materials used in these systems. Each level has been tested and found effective at stopping certain types of projectiles, ones most typically employed during an armed robbery. While ratings extend to Level 8, the needs of most banks, credit unions, and convenience stores are well covered in Levels 1-3. View a chart of standard UL Protection Level ratings.
Total Security Solutions is continuously striving to offer the best products and best service to its customers. Our lineup of bullet resistant acrylics is manufactured by an industry leader, Evonik CYRO. We offer bullet resistant acrylic in a variety of standard sizes in-stock and ready to ship, including 4’ x 8’, 5’ x 8’, 6’ x 8’, and 5’ x 6’.
All sizes come in UL Level 1-3 protection and are available uncoated or abrasion resistant coated. The edges of the bullet resistant acrylic are flame-polished providing a water clear edge ensuring maximum clarity and light transmission.
Evonik CYRO has been manufacturing ACRYLITE® and advancing the plastics industry for the past 75 years. ACRYLITE is UV-stable, won’t yellow over time, has one of the highest light transmission rates of any plastic, and is known for its superior impact strength. ACRYLITE also offers ease of fabrication as it is easily “sawed, routed, drilled, cemented, thermoformed, painted or silkscreened.”
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