FBI Birmingham, Al

BLAST
RESISTANT

Laminates
Air Force Research Lab, Tyndall
Kathmandu, Nepal USAID Annex
Quito, Ecuador NEC

As the threat of terrorist attacks with explosive devices increases we have become much more aware of the need to
secure buildings against blast. Windows have become a particular focus, as we have learned that many of the injuries
sustained in a blast are the result of flying glass. Standard window designs of monolithic glass will shatter in a blast
situation, propelling thousands of razor sharp fragments into the occupied space, resulting in serious injury or even
death. These injuries can be minimized or even prevented with the use of laminated glass products for blast mitigation.

Laminated products substantially reduce injuries because the glass fragments are adhered to the interlayer material
preventing them from being propelled into the occupied space. Laminated products can also increase protection from
other flying debris such as rocks, because the elastic interlayer material helps prevent objects from penetrating. Other
materials such as polycarbonates or other plastics can be incorporated into the laminate for additional impact
resistance. See below for some of the blast laminates that Dlubak offers.

Tempered Glass Laminates Insulating Units Available

(Cost effective & Maximum Durability) (ASTM E 2190 Certified)

DuPont SentryGlas & Spall Shield Custom Designs Available for Government,
(Duponts Ionoplast Interlayer Technology) Military and Commercial Applications

Glass/Polycarbonate Laminates

Blast Design
The design of a blast window system involves very detailed areas of design. First the peak pressure must be determined from the size of the
charge and the set back distance from that charge. Then a positive phase duration must be known to determine the impulse of the blast
wave. Finally a performance condition must be specified to determine the expected performance level. With this information a computer
model can be constructed to determine the specific thickness or layers of material needed to contain the blast within the specified
performance criteria . See the chart below for performance conditions. (GSA Test Protocol: GSA-TS01-2003).

It is important to note that a blast resistant window operates as a system. It Performance Protection Hazard Description of Window Glazing
Condition Level Level Response
involves not only the glass itself, but also the framing system, anchoring
Glazing does not break. No visible
system and even the structure of the building. A frame that is not designed 1 Safe None damage to glazing or frame
for blast or that is not anchored properly may not hold the glazing during a Glazing cracks but is retained by the
blast situation causing unnecessary failure and possible injury. A qualified 2 Very high None frame. Dusting or very small fragments
blast engineer should be consulted for the design of each project. near sill or on floor acceptable.
Glazing cracks fragments enter space
3A High Very Low and land on floor no further than 3.3 ft.
from window.
Window Performance Condition & Glass Fragmentation Diagram
Glazing cracks fragments enter space
Occupied Space 3B High Low and land on floor no further than 10 ft.
1 5 from window.
Glazing cracks fragments enter space,
2 land on floor and impact a vertical
4 Medium Medium witness panel at a distance of no more
4 than 10 ft. from the window at a height
2 ft no greater than 2 ft. above the floor.
3A 3B Glazing cracks and window system fails
Window Assembly catastrophically. Fragments enter space,
3.3 ft 5 Low High impacting a vertical witness panel at a
distance of no more than 10 ft. from the
window at a height greater than 2 ft.
10 ft above the floor.

520 Chestnut St. 724-459-9540

Blairsville, PA 15717 800-336-0562
www.dlubakglass.com Fax:724-459-0866
073010