Detailed Product Description

Safety and security window films are films that are applied to glass & glazing in order to hold them together if the glass is shattered (similar to ). The main difference between film and laminated glass is that the film can be applied to the glass or glazing after manufacture or installation, i.e. it is a product. These films are used widely all over the world, they can be found on trains, buses, cars, and buildings.

The films are adhesive coated to bond them to the glass. The better safety films are smooth-coated, as they have far superior optical clarity.

Applications

Safety and security films are used where there is a potential for injury from broken glass(such as glass doors or overhead glazing). These films can be applied to toughened, annealed or laminated glass. They are available in various thicknesses, from 100 micrometre (or 4 mils) through to 505 micrometres + (21 mils). The film thickness is selected for level of protection desired and the dimensions of the glass pane. Manufacturers recommend 100 micrometre film for glass up to 3 mm (1/8 in) and 175 micrometre film for glass over 6 mm (1/4 in).

These films can be applied for security applications, where a delay of forced entry is desired. The Performance of these films is affected by adhesive bond strength, thickness of the polyester, quality of application and window structure/frame.

The films are adhesive coated to bond them to the glass. The better safety films are those which are smooth-coated, as they have far superior optical clarity.

Safety and security films can have components added, such as for solar control & decorative effects. However, as mentioned before, it is their physical properties that allow them to be used in various applications, such as:

Protection from

(tempered) windows can be and often are subject to sudden failure, for no apparent reason.

This is caused by contaminants (such as a ) embedded in the glass during manufacturing can cause this explosive failure months or years later. Such failure in homes and commercial buildings can cause a sudden opening in the building, exposing its contents to the elements, with wind and rain causing far more damage than the simple cost of replacing a window pane. Protective safety films are an ideal remedy to maintain the weather seal of the building and prevent the massive rain of glass pellets that would otherwise instantly fall from tempered glass breakage.

Personal safety

When float glass is broken (normal window glass), it breaks into sharp shards that are dangerous to anybody in the vicinity. This is particularly hazardous if the window is broken by human impact. Toughened (tempered) glass can produce showers of small glass pellets that can cause serious injury; especially in the event of a car crash (as most automotive side glass is tempered). The building codes of some countries specify requirements for personal safety in architectural glass and glazing. Certain films, with correct certification can be used to upgrade existing glass and glazing to meet the safety standards specified in the building codes.

Increased protection from bomb and blast hazards

Explosions cause widespread damage, and in an urban environment (often containing lots of glass) the risk of injury is increased. In the event of an explosion in an urban area, flying glass is often the biggest cause of injury/trauma. However, certain specially designed films, when applied correctly can contain these shards of glass, protecting the internal environment and in some cases retaining the pane of glass in the window frame. People sourcing films for this purpose should choose a product from a manufacturer that can produce results for (GSA) blast ratings, and check with the manufacturer that the installer has sufficient experience & knowledge to offer such products.

Additional protection from hurricanes and windborne debris

Safety films can be used as an additional protection against flying glass when glazing is broken by windborne debris. By helping to prevent windows from shattering, or retaining shattered glazing in its frame, these films help maintain the weather seal of a building. This helps reduce damage from water and high winds. If the seal can be maintained, roofs are less likely to be blown off, and it is more likely a building can be saved.