Removable Ballistic Glazing
A high-ranking foreign official required discreet, rifle-rated protection while staying in a historic Washington, D.C. hotel en route to meetings with U.S. government leaders. The suite could not be altered by drilling, screws or fasteners of any kind, but the threat profile required adding ballistic glazing to multiple windows.
Total Security Solutions designed, engineered, fabricated, and installed removable ballistic glazing in under four weeks, then fully removed it immediately after the official’s departure.
The Problem: Installing Temporary Executive Protection
The official’s security team needed rifle-resistant protection inside a historic property that prohibited any physical modifications to finishes or structure. That eliminated conventional anchoring for frames or stanchions and required a freestanding approach that preserved the suite’s aesthetics and operations.
Design, Engineering, Fabrication & Assembly
To meet the hotel’s historic status requirements, TSS engineered an innovative removable tension-bar support system that braces each ballistic panel within the opening. This allowed precise load transfer without fasteners.
After prototyping the window and tension-bar assembly, the team fabricated the glazing at the TSS warehouse in Fowlerville, Mich., using laminated polycarbonate tested to the appropriate UL 752 standards to offer protection from high-powered rifle fire.
Delivery & Installation
The Results: Discreet, Temporary Protection
The temporary ballistic glazing performed as designed while preserving historic aesthetics and avoiding permanent alterations. Ballistic security is a system, not a single pane.
Materials must align with the identified threat, including being tested to the specific UL rating and forced entry standards, such as ASTM F1233, in instances where an attacker could use tools to break through lower-level windows or doors. TSS guides specifiers through every step, from selecting the right materials and any accessories to ensuring the system is properly installed and maintained.
One More High-Profile Dignitary Protected
If you are responsible for protecting executives or government officials, TSS can help. Using the proven process we’ve developed over more than 20 years and 30,000 buildings, we’ll assess your threats, plan and design a custom solution, fabricate it and deliver and install it with the industry’s fastest lead times.
Learn more about our removable glazing in this downloadable case study.
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Whether you’re designing a new building or retrofitting one, our team can provide the guidance and resources you need to succeed. Request a consultation and learn how we can help you protect public spaces from evolving threats.
About TSS
Founded in 2004, TSS’ purpose is simple: to be the industry leader in protecting people and property from physical attacks. Our professional in-house design, manufacturing, and installation teams enable us to deliver total security solutions that are customized to your needs with the fastest speed to completion and an exceptional customer experience. Today, with staff and locations nationwide, we have secured over 30,000 buildings, ensuring the daily Physical Security for What Matters Most™.