Different Types of Bullet-Proof Windows
Bulletproof windows come in all shapes and sizes, can perform different functions to protect a business, and provide different levels of protection depending on the materials and methods used to create them. In this article, learn more about the different types of bullet-resistant glass windows.
Bullet Resistant Glass Windows by Level of Protection Offered
The most widely used set of specifications that define various levels of bullet-resistant protection is the one created by Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL). The standard we follow, and the rest of the industry as well is UL 752. It describes eight different levels of protection that can be assigned to bulletproof products as follows:
- Level 1: Resists a minimum of three shots from a 9mm at a minimum velocity of 1,175 feet per second. Common choice for protection against small caliber handguns.
- Level 2: Withstands at least three shots of .357 magnum soft points at a velocity of 1,250 feet per second. Provides protection against larger caliber handguns.
- Level 3: Resists a minimum of three shots of .44 magnum rounds at a velocity of 1,350 feet per second.
- Level 4: Withstands at least one shot from a .30 caliber rifle with a minimum velocity of 2,540 feet per second. While levels 1-3 are linear, levels 4 and above describe different types of protection, not necessarily whether one is better or worse than one another.
- Level 5: Withstands at least one full metal jacket round from a 7.62mm rifle with a velocity of at least 2,750 feet per second.
- Level 6: Can withstand at least five 9mm rounds at an elevated minimum velocity of 1,400 feet per second.
- Level 7: Resists multiple full metal jacket rounds with 5.56 rifle at a minimum velocity of 3,080 feet per second.
- Level 8: Withstands at least five shots from a 7.62mm rifle.
