Premier Security Now Offers Blast Protection Window Film for High-Risk Buildings

Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its protective glazing portfolio, now offering a comprehensive range of blast protection window film solutions for commercial and public buildings across the UK.

Combining decades of expertise in certified blast-resistant and ballistic-resistant glazing assemblies with a proven anti-shatter film programme, Premier Security is uniquely positioned to deliver whole-building glazing protection strategies for architects, security consultants, facilities managers, and building owners operating in high-risk environments.

Why Blast Protection Window Film Matters

The threat posed by explosive devices in public spaces remains a serious concern for venue operators, local authorities, and government bodies alike. While structural blast-resistant windows and doors form the primary line of defence in high-security environments, the reality is that most commercial buildings contain large areas of standard glazing that become extremely hazardous during a blast event.

The statistics are stark. The United Nations has reported that the majority of casualties from explosive incidents are caused by the fragmentation of structural materials, with flying glass fragments responsible for a significant proportion of those injuries and fatalities. Historically, the Home Office has cited figures of up to 95% of all injury, death, and property damage during a blast being attributable to flying glass.

Blast protection window film addresses this threat directly. By holding shattered glass onto the film matrix rather than allowing it to become lethal airborne debris, the right film specification can dramatically reduce secondary blast injuries in buildings that are not designed to full blast-resistant standards.

The Protect Duty: A Legal Framework for Venue Safety

The growing legislative landscape in the UK is placing increased responsibility on venue operators and facilities managers to take proactive steps to protect the public. Martyn's Law, championed by Figen Murray following the loss of her son Martyn Hett in the Manchester Arena attack of 2017, has been a driving force behind the Protect Duty legislation, which requires qualifying venues to have documented security plans in place to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.

The installation of blast protection window film is one of the most practical, cost-effective measures a venue operator can take in response to these requirements. It can be retrofitted to existing glazing with minimal disruption during normal working hours, requires no structural modification, and provides immediate uplift to a building's overall safety profile.

Counter-terrorism officers have long recommended blast mitigation window film as a front-line measure to hold glass together in the event of a detonation. For venues falling within the expected scope of the Protect Duty, it is a measure that deserves serious consideration.

The Armorcoat Range: Film Specifications

Premier Security's blast protection window film programme is built around the Solar Gard Armorcoat range, a series of high-tensile safety and security window films rigorously tested to meet demanding performance criteria. Four core specifications are available:

Armorcoat 7 Mil Clear (175 Micron)

A clear, optically neutral film preserving natural light transmission at 88% while blocking over 99% of ultraviolet light. The 7 Mil Clear is an excellent choice where blast mitigation performance is required without any change to the visual appearance of the glazing, making it ideal for heritage buildings, listed properties, and locations where aesthetic impact is a primary concern.

Armorcoat 8 Mil LX 70 (200 Micron)

Stepping up to the 200 micron gauge, the LX 70 delivers enhanced physical performance with a break strength of 43 kg/cm and a puncture resistance of 64 kg. It transmits 72% of visible light while rejecting 53% of total solar energy, making it a practical dual-purpose film that combines blast mitigation with meaningful solar heat reduction. Glare is reduced by 20% on single glazing.

Armorcoat 8 Mil Silver 35 (200 Micron)

The Silver 35 provides moderate solar control alongside its blast containment properties, transmitting 35% of visible light and rejecting 63% of total solar energy, with greater than 99% ultraviolet blockage. With 61% glare reduction on single glazing, it is a popular specification for commercial office buildings and retail environments where solar management is a valued secondary benefit.

Armorcoat 8 Mil Silver 20 (200 Micron)

The Silver 20 is the most aggressive solar control option in the Armorcoat range, rejecting 79% of total solar energy and reducing glare by 84% on single glazing. Visible light transmittance is 14%, giving the film a highly reflective exterior appearance. It is best suited to buildings with significant solar loading where occupant comfort and energy reduction are priorities alongside blast protection.

Edge Retention Systems

Film specification alone is only part of the blast mitigation picture. To achieve maximum performance during a blast event, film installation should be combined with an appropriate edge retention or glass anchoring system. These systems bond the film to the window frame, preventing the filmed glass pane from being ejected into the occupied space during a pressure wave event.

Dow Corning Silicone Sealant

A structural silicone sealant anchors the protective window film to the window frame via a triangular glazing joint, providing a sealant bite of between 3/8 and 1/2 inch. With high tensile and tear strength, long-term flexibility, and excellent adhesion to glass and most frame materials, this is a proven anchoring approach with a strong track record in high-performance window film installations.

3M Impact Protection Adhesive

Applied around the perimeter of the window frame, this adhesive bonds the glass, film, and frame into a single composite assembly. It offers superior tear strength, elongation, and tensile strength compared to standard attachment adhesives, and cures fully in under seven days. Available in black and white to suit different frame finishes.

3M Impact Protection Profile

A clean, factory-finished edge retention solution using a flexible gasket-style attachment combined with 3M VHB Tape. The profile can frequently be installed without cutting existing gaskets and is suitable for retrofitting to existing safety film applications, available in black for commercial use and white for residential settings.

Framelok and Anglelok Systems

For installations requiring a rigid edge retention solution, these systems use a high-bonding adhesive to evenly absorb and transfer impact loads across the frame. They are effective against a range of threats including blast events, forced entry attempts, and windborne debris during extreme weather events.

Beyond Blast: Additional Benefits

Blast protection window film delivers value well beyond its core counter-terrorism application. Once installed, the film provides:

• Enhanced resistance to smash-and-grab attacks and opportunistic break-ins
• Protection against windborne debris during storms and extreme weather events
• Containment of glass fragments in the event of spontaneous glass failure
• Ultraviolet light reduction exceeding 99%, protecting occupants and interior furnishings
• Solar heat rejection and glare management, contributing to reduced energy consumption on solar control variants
• Additional impact resistance during seismic events and industrial explosions

A Complementary Layer Within Your Security Strategy

For buildings that already incorporate Premier Security's certified blast-resistant or LPS 1175-rated door and window assemblies at primary openings, blast protection window film extends that protective philosophy to secondary glazing areas such as internal partitions, roof lights, atrium glazing, and facade areas that fall outside the specification for certified blast assemblies.

For facilities managers undertaking a comprehensive glazing audit, Premier Security can advise on which panes would benefit from film treatment and which are already adequately protected, ensuring the specification is targeted and cost-effective rather than blanket-applied.