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.
Using Security Windows and Framing for Forced Entry and Active Threat Protection
Written By: Brad Campbell | January 3, 2022
Security windows and framing can be used to protect what’s most important to you — typically people and property — from threats including forced entry and active threats.
By using the right retrofit technology, you can reinforce existing windows and doors to create physical barriers and keep would-be intruders on the other side.
How To Use Security Windows and Framing To Keep Bad Guys Out
Once you’ve decided to undertake a security window and framing retrofit, there are three main phases that you must pass through to achieve maximum security.
Threat assessment
Material selection
Retrofit installation
Conduct a threat assessment
A threat assessment is a professional evaluation of you and your property’s security. Threat assessments are carried out to help you determine the right security solutions, including what types of security windows and framing systems to install.
Security professionals who conduct threat assessments not only look at the physical security of your building to identify vulnerabilities, they also talk to you to discuss your unique security concerns and determine all the perceived threats you need to protect against.
For example, retail threat assessments generally tend to focus more on protecting property against burglary, smash-and-grab-theft, and rioting and looting, whereas school threat assessments generally focus more on active threat protection.
Regardless of what type of building you conduct a threat assessment for, you will receive recommendations about what security measures to put in place to protect against all perceived threats at the desired levels.
Key things threat assessments accomplish:
Look at, assess, and rate any existing security measures
Create a list of potential threats and security-related scenarios that could unfold
Evaluate the potential outcomes of said threats and scenarios to determine security needs
Recommend security upgrades, including security windows and framing systems
Reassess your property’s security after upgrades to ensure effectiveness
Choose the right retrofit security window and framing systems
After you’ve conducted a threat assessment to evaluate any and all security risks, you must make a final decision about what materials and technology to use to upgrade your building’s security.
Recommendations from the threat assessment should be taken into careful consideration in order to do so, but there are other factors to consider as well. For example, budget plays a big role in most security-related decisions.
Ideally, you should install all the upgrades recommended by a security expert. But, if your budget doesn’t allow for it, you may need to compromise in some areas to find the most cost-effective solution for you and your property.
You can work closely with a security glass contractor to discuss this and make a final decision about your security window and door upgrades.
Examples of different decisions you might make when choosing new security windows:
Laminated security glass vs. polycarbonate glazing shields
Ballistic (bullet-resistant) vs. non-ballistic glazing
If choosing ballistic-grade windows and doors, what UL 752 level?
Reinforce vulnerable windows and doors
With a final decision made about what materials and access denial technology to use for your building’s windows and doors, it’s time to actually install the retrofit system.
A retrofit security window and framing solution means that you do not need to remove any of the existing glass or framing to install the new glazing.
Instead, the security framing is mounted into or onto the existing window and door frames, holding the new retrofit glazing securely in place to prevent the existing glass from breaking due to impacts.
Once the new glazing is in place, there is nothing further you need to do. Your doors and windows are now protected 24/7 against forced entry and other threats.
Benefits of security glass retrofits:
Very cost-effective window and door reinforcement
Don’t require glass removal or replacement
Don’t damage the surrounding framing or other building materials
Retain the appearance and curb appeal of your building
Retrofit security glass doesn’t block natural light or visibility
Make a property fortified without looking fortified (invisible forced entry barriers)
What Types of Facilities Can Benefit from Security Windows and Framing?
Any type of facility where you want to prevent break-ins and burglary or keep out active threats is an ideal candidate for a security glazing retrofit.
For example, if you own a luxury retail store, you probably want to retain the appearance of your storefront windows, but fortify them against retail theft.
In this case, your property would benefit greatly from installing security glass or another glass-like glazing material over the existing glass doors and windows to protect against forced entry.
Some types of facilities may not be as likely to be a target of burglary and smash-and-grab theft as luxury retail stores, but they have to worry about other concerns, such as active threats looking to do harm to those inside.
These types of facilities include schools and universities, religious centers, and government buildings, to name a few. For these types of properties, a ballistic window retrofit would be ideal.
Ballistic-grade windows protect against all types of forced entry and provide additional bullet-resistant protection to keep active threats out and mitigate the risks of injury to people inside during an active threat scenario.
In short, any building with security concerns can benefit from some type of security glazing retrofit for their vulnerable windows and doors.
Security glazing retrofits are ideal for:
High-end retailers
24-hour convenience stores and liquor stores
Government facilities
Religious buildings
Banks and financial institutions
Schools, colleges, and universities
Offices
Luxury homes
Businesses and homes in high-crime areas or urban areas prone to civil unrest
The Bottom Line
Many people don’t think about how vulnerable their windows and doors are until it’s too late, and something happens to make them realize it.
The reality is that there are many security threats all around us, every day, and many of these threats can be mitigated by reinforcing your property’s windows and doors with the proper security glazing.
A containment-grade security glass retrofit can mean the difference between a little bit of superficial damage to your storefront and a financially devastating loss of merchandise.
Or, bullet-resistant security windows can prevent a tragic loss of life on a school campus during an active threat scenario.
Whatever your security concerns are, count on Riot Glass to help. Contact us today to schedule a threat assessment and discuss the retrofit security glass and framing solutions we have available for you.
