ASTM F2248: Understanding Blast Load Design for Laminated Glass

The risk of blast-related incidents, whether intentional or accidental, is no longer limited to military zones or foreign embassies. From federal buildings in urban centers to data infrastructure hubs and critical public utilities, blast events are an increasingly important consideration in building design.

Whether caused by explosive devices, industrial malfunctions, or nearby infrastructure failures, a blast wave doesn’t just impact a facility’s structure—it exerts intense pressure on windows, entry points, and wall systems, often resulting in dangerous shrapnel and structural damage.

As a result, architects, engineers, and security professionals are turning to standards like ASTM F2248 to guide their glazing system designs. This standard gives you the framework to ensure laminated glass systems are specified to withstand the pressure of modern threats when occupant safety and building continuity are on the line.

What Is ASTM F2248?

ASTM F2248, officially titled “Standard Practice for Specifying an Equivalent 3-Second Duration Design Loading for Blast Resistant Glazing Fabricated with Laminated Glass,” is a design methodology rather than a test protocol.

It provides a standardized approach for calculating how much static pressure laminated glazing must resist to mimic a real-world blast scenario that lasts three seconds or less.

What makes this standard especially useful is its adaptability. Unlike rigid pass/fail testing methods, ASTM F2248 empowers engineers to model glass behavior based on a wide range of inputs:

• Expected blast pressure
• Distance from the blast source (standoff)
• Size of the glazing panel
• Thickness of interlayers
• Framing conditions

The standard recommends that laminated glass be constructed using either annealed or heat-strengthened glass plies, as these materials offer more reliable performance than fully tempered glass.

What the ASTM F2248 Standard Does (and Doesn’t) Do

It’s important to understand what ASTM F2248 is intended to provide and what it doesn’t.

The standard outlines how to derive a calculated load value that reflects the effects of a short-duration blast on laminated glass. That value can then be applied in testing environments or engineering simulations to assess performance.

For example, once the equivalent static load is calculated using F2248, it can be used to:

• Model how a glazing system will perform under stress.
• Evaluate whether anchoring systems and frame designs are appropriate.
• Inform product selection for third-party dynamic testing, such as ASTM F1642

In short, F2248 establishes the design criteria, but it doesn’t confirm whether a particular system has met it. That confirmation happens through additional testing or analytical validation.

When and Where ASTM F2248 Applies

F2248 is most commonly used in facilities where blast protection is a primary concern but may not rise to the level of full military-grade hardening. It provides a performance benchmark that can be scaled based on the facility’s risk profile.

You’ll typically find F2248 applied in:

• Government and civic buildings where security and public access must coexist.
• Utilities and critical infrastructure, such as power plants and water treatment facilities.
• Urban data centers and communications hubs that require high operational continuity.
• Financial institutions, particularly in major metropolitan areas.
• Buildings near industrial zones or transport corridors where accidental explosions may occur.

Integrating ASTM F2248 Into Your Design Process

Incorporating F2248 into a project requires close collaboration between architects, engineers, and security consultants, especially during the design development phase.

It begins with assessing the threat environment: What kind of blast load is realistic based on building location and use? From there, teams can apply the F2248 methodology to calculate equivalent design loads for specific glass and framing systems.

This step isn’t just about math. It’s about identifying points of vulnerability, where a pressure wave is most likely to breach the building envelope, and confirming the selected laminated glass system is not only appropriately rated, but integrated with compatible framing and anchoring strategies.

Because laminated glass alone cannot absorb or redistribute the energy of a blast, any design load must account for the entire system’s response: the frame, supports, and surrounding structures.

F2248 helps provide a realistic and standardized way to model that interaction so you’re not over- or under-building critical areas of protection.

Please note: Total Security Solutions does not offer any blast-rated products.