Written By: Brad Campbell | August 31, 2020
Businesses and other commercial facilities today face a challenging security environment. Smash-and-grab thefts continue to be on the rise, organized retail crime is more aggressive than ever, and large-scale attacks, whether driven by riots, political unrest, or targeted hostility, can unfold in minutes. Traditional security measures like alarms and cameras play a role in overall protection, but they do nothing to stop a determined intruder in the act.
That’s where bullet-resistant glass comes in. While often associated with applications like executive protection, modern bullet-resistant glazing has evolved into one of the most reliable solutions for forced-entry prevention, especially when tested and certified to rigorous standards such as the ASTM F3038 forced-entry resistance test.
Ballistic-grade glazing systems that pass this test aren’t just designed to stop bullets. They’re engineered to withstand sustained, coordinated attacks from multiple assailants armed with common break-in tools or readily found objects.
When people hear “bullet-resistant glass,” they tend to imagine bank teller windows or armored vehicles. But the reality is that modern architectural bullet-resistant glass is far more versatile and far more relevant to everyday security challenges.
Bullet-resistant security glazing is engineered to absorb, disperse, or deflect the energy of incoming projectiles, preventing penetration and stopping spall (glass fragments) from entering the protected space. However, the very properties that make it resistant to bullets, layered construction, bonded interlayers, and structural reinforcement, also make it extremely difficult to break through with hand tools or heavy objects.
Unlike tempered safety glass, which shatters instantly upon strong enough impact, bullet-resistant glazing systems:
This dual function is why businesses and property owners increasingly rely on bullet-resistant glazing not just for ballistic protection, but as a complete forced-entry barrier.
Most burglaries and mob-style attacks don’t involve firearms. They involve:
Attackers, whether solo criminals or large crowds, look for easy entry points. Glass is almost always the first target.
A standard commercial glass door or window can be broken in one or two hits. Even basic laminated glass can fail quickly once attackers start carving out a hole. But because bullet-resistant glazing is designed to absorb ballistic energy, its internal bonding and polycarbonate layers also make it extremely resistant to any type of mechanical impact.
This is why bullet-resistant glass is considered one of the most effective deterrents for:
No matter what motivates the attack, the physics are the same: a glass door or window is the weak point, yet bullet-resistant glass turns that weak point into one of the strongest parts of the building envelope.
Many glass products claim to be “forced-entry-resistant,” but very few meet a recognized, meaningful standard, especially for large-scale forced entry attempts. ASTM F3038 is one of the toughest and most relevant tests in the security glazing industry for precisely this, and Riot Glass systems have passed it.
ASTM F3038, often referred to as the “mob attack” or “coordinated forced-entry” test, is designed to replicate a realistic, sustained assault by multiple attackers. The test involves:
Passing ASTM F3038 means that even under a prolonged, aggressive attack, with multiple attackers trading blows, the glass never yields an opening large enough for entry.
This is critical because real-world break-ins are rarely “one-strike events.” Most attackers are persistent. They hit again and again until the glass gives way. With ASTM F3038-certified bullet-resistant glass, such as Riot Glass’s AP-Series AP75 glazing, that moment never comes.
Many businesses want bullet-resistant glass for ballistic defense, but in practice, the threats they face most often are forced-entry attempts.
For property owners, the benefits of installing ballistic-grade glazing tested to the ASTM F3038 standard include:
Unlike tests that only involve a few impacts or small hand tools, ASTM F3038 simulates sustained aggression. That’s exactly what happens during riots and smash-and-grab attacks.
When attackers realize they can’t break through — no matter how hard they try — they abandon the attempt and move on. Rioters and burglars want quick success, not a long struggle.
Riot Glass looks like standard glass. Businesses and public-facing facilities stay welcoming, while remaining fully protected.
Ballistic resistance + forced entry protection + long-term durability = fewer vulnerabilities and less maintenance.
Owners and employees know there is a reliable barrier between them and potential violence or property damage.
Riot Glass offers one of the few security glazing systems on the market that has passed the ASTM F3038 test, proof of its ability to withstand mobs, riots, and determined attackers, and is also UL 752-certified for ballistic resistance.
Riot Glass bullet-resistant glazing panels are:
Riot Glass glazing systems can be installed as:
For many applications, Riot Glass can be installed over the existing glazing, strengthening it rather than removing it. This reduces cost and eliminates downtime.
Any building with street-facing glass can benefit from bullet-resistant glazing — especially ASTM F3038-certified systems. Top applications include:
High-value retailers (electronics, jewelry, luxury goods, pharmacies) are frequent targets for smash-and-grab crimes. Bullet-resistant glazing prevents thieves from getting inside or accessing display cases.
Glazing that delays or stops an armed intruder is essential for improving lockdown procedures in schools and universities.
Courtrooms, municipal buildings, and government offices benefit from improved ballistic and forced-entry performance.
Hospitals and clinics face increasing risks of targeted attacks and workplace violence, making impact-resistant security glazing a necessity in vulnerable areas.
Executive protection strategies often include ballistic-grade and forced-entry-resistant glass for lobbies, entryways, and C-suite offices.
Energy facilities, transportation hubs, and data centers require hardened points of access.
No security solution should stand alone. The most effective approach combines:
However, in any layered security plan, the glazing is the first line of defense. If attackers can’t breach the glass, they can’t advance to the next layer.
Bullet-resistant glass is no longer just a specialty product for banks and government buildings. It has become a mainstream security solution for businesses and commercial facilities that need both ballistic protection and maximum forced entry resistance.
Systems tested to ASTM F3038 and UL 752 standards — like Riot Glass — offer some of the strongest real-world protection available today. They keep burglars out, thwart rioters, protect occupants from active threats, and preserve business continuity during chaotic or violent events.
If you’re looking to harden your building against modern threats, bullet- and forced-entry-resistant Riot Glass is one of the smartest and most cost-effective upgrades you can make. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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