Be sure on safety

You may think that window film can be used for safety and security purposes. You’d be absolutely  right - it can! But do you know when it should be used, how it works and what to expect if you do use it? Those details may be a bit foggy, so allow us to clear things up…

Window film can be used to act as a protective barrier, improving safety and security in a range of different ways. There are a number of different products available, each with a different level of performance, so it is important to have a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve when selecting the solution. 

Safety

It’s important to be aware that glass of a particular size and in certain areas (known as critical locations) needs to meet a safety standard as detailed by building regulations. This applies to windows, glass doors or partitions - anywhere there is glass of a certain size. For a full explanation visit our dedicated page, here. A professional application of window film will ensure your glazing meets the standard BS EN 12600 (Previously BS6206)  but whether your glass is required to meet this standard or not, safety film may be a sensible addition to your glazing.

The product is available in a variety of thicknesses and the standard version is clear in appearance. It is usually applied to the interior side of the glass and when the glass is single glazed a single application will suffice. The primary function of safety window film is to ensure that if glazing does break, it does so in a safe manner. It achieves this by holding the fractured pane together, preventing sharp shards from falling in on themselves and creating the potential for injury or further damage. 

Security

When used in a security context, window film can work in two ways. By either making illegal or forced access more difficult, or by shielding the interior from view.

Security film is available in a variety of grades, and once applied will make glass more resistant to malicious or accidental damage. The protection provided will depend on the product chosen as well as the condition of the glass and the frame, so if applying window film for security purposes, we always recommend speaking to one of our trained team-members, who can talk you though the key considerations.

The second way of delivering an additional layer of security is by blocking the view to the inside and this can be achieved by using a number of different window films. Frostbrite frosted film will block the view by delivering the appearance of acid etched glass. Solid vinyls are available in a range of different colours and will block the view from both sides of your glass, whilst printed graphics can deliver the same levels of privacy with a bespoke appearance. 

Additional benefits

Many safety and security films offer additional benefits, including the filtering of glare and fade reduction. The levels of protection will depend on the product chosen, but these extra performance features can prove to be highly beneficial, especially in offices or on shopfronts.

Bomb blast protection

 It’s an unfortunate fact that in rare instances, there is an identifiable threat of an explosion. The Window Film Company is a Madico Safety Shield Premier Partner, meaning that we are authorised to supply and install a range of advanced film and attachment systems, designed specifically for mitigating against the threat of bombs or explosions. This is an extremely serious and involved product and process, so for more information on the systems available and their appropriate usage, please contact a member of the team on 01494 794477 or email info@windowfilm.co.uk.