Security glazing
In October 2016, BRE published the findings of a research project undertaken to investigate the performance and safety of glazing in security applications. The guide was primarily developed to help with the selection of effective security glazing.
The publication of ‘Security glazing: Is it all that it’s cracked up to be?’ (FB 55) followed a series of burglaries in London’s West End in 2008, ‘smash-and-grab’ attacks used to steal expensive goods from shop window displays.
The research explored the notion that, in some cases, glazing offered the least resistance to forced entry in situations where the generation of noise did not deter criminals. This premise was further demonstrated in the 2011 riots that hit major cities around the UK.
In addition to focusing on security, the research also examined an associated safety issue – that the majority of injuries from explosive events, including terrorist attack, invariably result from flying glass particles. Therefore, finding the correct specification of glazing to resist attack and reduce injury is vital.
The research uncovered a problem relating to the selection of an appropriate product to meet these dual requirements. A number of different glazing standards have been developed based upon specific test requirements. For example, glazing may be subject to a simulated manual attack or impacted by a known mass at a known velocity. However, the test results are not always directly comparable with those of tests conducted to other standards.
It is therefore useful to have an understanding of which standard is best suited to a particular application.
The types of glazing that the guide covers include:
- Acrylic.
- Fire-resistant glass.
- Float glass.
- Glass brick.
- Insulated glazing units.
- Laminated glass.
- Polycarbonate.
- Toughened glass.
- Wired glass.
The guide aims to assist architects, consultants, police officers and others who advise people on the selection of effective security. As well as focusing on physical security, particularly the resistance to manual attack of different glazing types, the guide also contains advice relating to other performance attributes.
You can download the guide from BRE Bookshop.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Annealing.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Building fabric.
- CCTV.
- Electric lock.
- Embedded security: Procuring an effective facility protective security system.
- Fire detection and alarm systems.
- Glass.
- Glass block wall.
- Glass manifestation.
- Glazing.
- How to install an underfloor safe.
- Outbuildings security.
- Patent glazing.
- Perimeter security.
- Polycarbonate plastic.
- SABRE Security Assurance by the Building Research Establishment.
- Safety glass.
- Secondary glazing.
- Security and the built environment.
- Types and manufacture of laminated glass.
- Types of alarm.
- Types of lock.
Featured articles and news
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.