Riot Glass® retrofit systems consist of custom-made security glass and framing designs that provide maximum protection against forced entry and ballistic threats.
Riot Glass® can be used to secure any building. Virtually invisible yet nearly indestructible, it blends seamlessly in almost any existing window, door, or storefront.
Do California Architect CE Requirements Include Security Glass Training?
Written By: Brad Campbell | April 12, 2023
Mandatory continuing education (CE) for architects is required by states for architects to retain licensure.
In California, architect CE requirements can be fulfilled by completing courses in a variety of topic areas.
If you’re an architect interested in learning about architectural security glass, you may be wondering if you can earn CE credits for completing training related to security glazing.
Keep reading to find out whether or not security glass training is required as part of CE for architects in California.
What Are the CE Requirements for Architects in California?
In California, architect CE requirements include five CE credits in accessibility and five CE credits in Zero Net Carbon Design.
California’s architect CE requirements are state legislated, and all licensed architects must earn these credits each year in order to keep their architect licenses valid.
So, as you can see, security glass training is not required to earn CE credits in California.
However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of reasons for architects to take CE courses on security glazing topics.
What about California architect CE requirements for AIA members?
If you’re a licensed architect in California and a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), there are some additional continuing education requirements to maintain membership to this organization.
All AIA members, regardless of state, have to complete 18 CE learning units every year. Of those 18 CE units, 12 must relate to health, safety, and welfare topics.
Security glazing training definitely falls into the health, safety, and welfare topic area, and there are a variety of AIA-approved courses on different security glass topics that you could complete to earn some of your AIA CE credits.
Why All Architects Should Complete Some Security Glazing Training
From retail stores to schools, all commercial buildings have the potential to be targets of forced entry, burglary, smash-and-grab theft, rioting and looting, and active threat attacks.
As such, security glazing can be applied to virtually any type of commercial property to increase safety and security and protect the people and property inside.
New construction can be built with security glazing from the outset, or security glazing can be retrofitted onto older buildings to modernize them and harden them against modern security threats.
With more and more commercial building owners looking for cost-effective ways to boost their properties’ security, security glass and glazing is more popular than ever, and architects should understand how to use it in their projects to best serve their clients.
Here are some examples of security glazing topics architects might consider training on:
How retrofit security glazing solutions work
Different types of ballistic-grade glazing
GSA blast resistance standards for glazing
Using polycarbonate and glass-clad polycarbonate glazing panels
Implementing personal protective barriers (transaction windows/pass-through systems)
Using security window film
Security glazing as applied to specific sectors (education, retail, government, justice, etc.)
By studying some of these topics, architects can understand how to incorporate different types of security glazing into their designs, while balancing aesthetics and performance.
Does Riot Glass offer security glazing courses for architects?
This course is about one and a half hours long, online and self-paced, meaning you can take it on demand and complete it when convenient for you.
Additionally, our security glazing CE course for architects is registered with 24 industry associations, including the AIA, and meets credit requirements for health, safety, and welfare topics.
During this hour and a half course, we go over fenestration security risks and threats, considerations, and solutions for educational, religious, commercial, and retail applications. We also cover applicable performance testing and standards.
By the time you finish the course, you’ll have a stronger understanding of how to mitigate different commercial security threats including rioting and looting, burglary, and active threat scenarios using different types of access-denial security glazing solutions.
What Types of Security Glazing Does Riot Glass Offer?
At Riot Glass, LLC, we manufacture, supply, and install a full range of security glazing and fenestration security products, from Riot Glass® security window film to Riot Glass glass-clad polycarbonate ballistic glazing.
Riot Glass products use specific formulations of polycarbonates, acrylics, other plastics, and security glass laminates that aren’t found in any other security glazing on the market, making Riot Glass outperform and outlast other similar products.
Using proprietary retrofittable framing adapters, Riot Glass can be fitted on top of, behind, or in place of almost any existing glass surface, making it an extremely cost-effective security glazing solution.
Riot Glass is suitable for a wide range of commercial property types, including:
Schools
High-end and specialty retail stores
Office buildings and high rises
Government buildings
Financial institutions
Religious buildings
Hospitals
Justice facilities
Hospitality businesses
Riot Glass has gained a national reputation and has been rapidly adopted by architects and glass contractors across the country.
Our designs offer the perfect blend of high security and a minimal, elegant appearance — Riot Glass fortifies buildings without making them look fortified.
Because of the sleek, non-invasive aesthetics of our security glazing and framing systems, Riot Glass is suitable for a wide range of architectural styles, from ultra-modern to historic properties.
Riot Glass impact windows are even being used as an attractive alternative to hurricane shutters, storm panels, and board ups in Florida and other southeastern states.
Does Riot Glass work directly with architects?
We are happy to consult with architects to help them incorporate Riot Glass security glazing into new construction, or retrofit Riot Glass solutions for building remodels and security renovations.
Although we are based in California, we don’t only work with California architects — we collaborate with architects and glass contractors anywhere in the US to ensure Riot Glass products are delivered and installed to our rigorous standards.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Looking for residential protection? At Riot Glass, we specialize in protecting your property with our patented bullet-resistant system, designed specifically for aluminium framed windows. Not sure if Riot Glass is right for your home? Explore our FAQs.
