Bottom Line: ASTM F3561-22 is the most robust and up-to-date standard pertaining to school security glazing. Safety and security film is not bullet-resistant, but can help buy valuable time in an emergency. There is currently a proposal to include security glazing in the 2027 building codes currently under development, which could help to clarify the requirements for school security in local and State jurisdictions.
The evolution and implementation of school security standards is something that has been at the forefront of the glass and fenestration industries for years now, particularly since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and 6 educators. In 2024, there were 200 incidents of school shootings, with 59 deaths and over 150 injuries, according to a report by Everytown Research & Policy. All of this was discussed during a school security workshop held during the National Glass Association’s Glass Conference in Carlsbad, California, this past February.
Resources to reference
The newest standard: ASTM F3561
ASTM F3561-22 Standard Test Method for Forced-Entry-Resistance of Fenestration Systems After Simulated Active Shooter Attack, includes eight levels of testing, each with increasing impact force and drop height. This standard focuses on forced entry resistance after glass has already been weakened and does not include ballistic testing. According to NGA officials, this standard was born of a need for a simpler test method that was also economically viable. The NGA took a look at the various, existing standards and eliminated what worked for those and what did not to help inform this standard.
“We looked at the ability for us to provide an understandable, comprehensive test method. There were some great methods out there, but very complicated, very hard for everybody to specify portions of them to pull together, so we wanted it to be comprehensive and to fill the gaps of what we found during a review of all these standards. We also wanted to ensure reproducibility,” says Julie Schimmelpenningh, Eastman Technical Engagement Manager and NGA Laminating Glazing Liaison.
So, why use ASTM F3561-22? This standard provides forced entry resistance, responder enhancement, mechanized testing, it is reproducible, includes multiple levels of testing, international consensus, systematic review, because ASTM standards are reviewed and updated systematically, and fills previous existing test gaps.
When it comes to testing for this standard, it is tested as a complete assembly, meaning the glass and locking mechanism must both pass the eight different levels of impact.
“The whole intent of this test is to make sure the intruder, after he has shot the glass and he starts hitting the door and glass, is not able to get in and gain access to our children. That’s the real purpose of this test,” says Vice President Engineered Systems at Trulite Doug Penn.
Surface-applied film in security glazing
“Window film does not stop bullets,” emphasizes Lisa Winckler, technical/advocacy consultant with the International Window Film Association. “Window film does not have a home [in security glazing applications.] It is not designed to impact glass in any way other than solar energy or changing how [the glass] looks.”
However, Winckler says that safety and security film is different, which is why language is so important when it comes to this topic. Not all things that have been called window film are the same thing. Safety and security film is not bullet-resistant, and when installed on standard existing glazing it should not be represented as a product that will stop bullets, but this product can help buy valuable time to alert resources and implement lock down strategies, she says.
Part of the hurdle of designing a standard for something that’s retrofit is needing to take into account glass type, framing type, gaskets, window, window size, age of the building, how the framing system is attached to the building, etc. There are no current standards for retrofit solutions.
Learn more from the IWFA here.
Building code proposal
There are currently no building codes that mandate school security. The Glazing Industry Code Committee (GICC) has a proposal to include security glazing in the 2027 building codes currently under development. The proposal could help to clarify and harmonize the requirements for school security in local and State jurisdictions.
Thom Zaremba, NGA code consultant, went through the proposal for school security currently being considered by the International Building Code. The proposal includes the following:
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Main entrances constructed and designed to provide those inside the building with a view to areas where pedestrians and vehicles approach the entrance.
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Windows, doors, and sidelights in main entrances will be rated assemblies in accordance with ASTM F3561-23, as well as other glazed areas in the main entrance that meet certain size requirement.
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If warranted by a design professional’s assessment of forced entry risk, ground floor windows, doors, and sidelights in exterior walls shall be rated assemblies in accordance with ASTM F3561-23.
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Interior classroom windows and doors shall be designed and constructed to provide a view from the classroom into corridor or other areas used to approach the classroom.
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If warranted by a registered design professional’s assessment of forced entry risk, interior classroom windows, doors and sidelights shall be rated assemblies in accordance with ASTM F3561-23.
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Locking arrangements in doors shall comply with applicable provisions of Section 1010.2.7.
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Egress doors in educational occupancies shall be capable of being locked from inside the room with a key or any other approved means.
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Exterior doors which provide entry into the building shall be provided with locking arrangements designed to keep intruders from entering the building, and shall comply with all of the following: the doors shall be lockable from the egress side of the door; a minimum of one door on each building face shall be capable of being unlocked from outside the building with a key or other approved means; each egress door shall be openable from within the building in accordance with Section 1010.2.
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Fire safety, evacuation and lockdown plans shall comply with applicable provisions of Sections 401.2 and 404 of the International Fire Code.
State and federal legislation
NGA’s Vice President of Advocacy and Technical Services Urmilla Jokhu-Sowell discussed school security’s current state in state and federal legislation.
Utah currently has a bill, House Bill 84, requiring security glazing for any public or private K-12 schools. NGA provided comments helping to inform some of the language of this bill.
For many years, NGA has had a school security one-pager for legislators called “School Security: Window & Doors Respond First.”
How you can learn more
The NGA is hosting a webinar on Thursday, April 17, that will clarify the role of surface-applied film in security glazing, and where the School Security building code proposal applies within the school building. This webinar is presented by Zaremba and Winckler; moderated by Sowell.
