Bullet-resistant fiberglass panels are opaque composite sheets installed inside walls, casework, and counters to stop and capture gunfire. Armortex® manufactures these panels at its facility in Schertz, Texas, in eight UL 752 protection levels sold under the O.F. 100 through O.F. 800 designations. The panels are made to be concealed — Armortex describes them as lightweight, fire-rated sheets that hide behind drywall, millwork, or furniture — so a teller line, reception wall, or classroom can be hardened without changing how the room looks. For a specifier, the work comes down to matching a documented protection level to the threat, then coordinating thickness, weight, sheet size, and joint treatment with the surrounding assembly.
Quick answer
To specify bullet-resistant fiberglass panels, choose an Armortex® O.F. series panel by UL 752 level (1 through 8), confirm the matching nominal thickness and weight, and size sheets from 3′ or 4′ widths in 8′, 9′, or 10′ lengths. Reinforce every joint with a 4-inch batten. Armortex publishes a ready-to-edit CSI Section 10 26 41 and supplies material direct.
What is a bullet-resistant fiberglass panel?
A bullet-resistant fiberglass panel is a rigid, opaque composite sheet engineered to stop a projectile and hold it inside the panel rather than deflect it. Armortex classifies the material as fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), built from multiple layers of woven roving ballistic-grade cloth impregnated with thermoset polyester resin and compressed into flat rigid sheets.
The design intent is written into the Armortex specification: the sheet is a non-ricochet type product intended to permit capture and retention of an attacking projectile, lessening the potential for random injury or lateral penetration. That is why the panels suit occupied rooms and not only building perimeters.
How do Armortex fiberglass panels work?
Armortex weaves the ballistic cloth in-house from roving ballistic-grade fiberglass, mechanically injects it with thermoset polyester resin, then presses it into flat rigid sheets in a hydraulic hot press.
The stopping mechanism is controlled internal delamination: as a round enters, the laminate separates layer by layer, spreading energy across a widening area of fiber until the projectile is retained. Armortex credits the in-house press process with maximizing ballistic performance through proper de-lamination and reliable projectile retention.
Armortex fiberglass panel specifications
The eight panels differ in layer count, and so in nominal thickness and weight. Each is a distinct SKU with its own data sheet.
| SKU | UL 752 level | Nominal thickness | Nominal weight | Ammunition tested | Shots |
| O.F. 100 | Level 1 | 1/4″ (6.35 mm) | 2.9 lb/ft² | 9 mm, 124 grain | 3 |
| O.F. 200 | Level 2 | 3/8″ (9.65 mm) | 4.1 lb/ft² | .357 Magnum, 158 grain | 3 |
| O.F. 300 | Level 3 | 1/2″ (12.70 mm) | 5.25 lb/ft² | .44 Magnum, 240 grain | 3 |
| O.F. 400 | Level 4 | 1 3/16″ (30.22 mm) | 13.7 lb/ft² | .30 cal rifle, 180 grain | 1 |
| O.F. 500 | Level 5 | 1 3/8″ (35.05 mm) | 15 lb/ft² | 7.62 mm rifle, 150 grain | 1 |
| O.F. 600 | Level 6 | 3/8″ (9.65 mm) | 3.2 lb/ft² | 9 mm, 124 grain | 5 |
| O.F. 700 | Level 7 | 1 1/16″ (26.92 mm) | 12.2 lb/ft² | 5.56 mm rifle, 55 grain | 5 |
| O.F. 800 | Level 8 | 1 7/16″ (36.57 mm) | 16 lb/ft² | 7.62 mm rifle, 150 grain | 5 |
Sheets come in six stock sizes — 3′ or 4′ wide by 8′, 9′, or 10′ long — with a square edge, and are specified for interior application.
What UL 752 rating and fire rating do the panels carry?
Armortex tests the opaque fiberglass line to UL 752, 11th Edition, the Underwriters Laboratories standard for bullet-resisting equipment. Armortex products overall are tested to levels 1 through 10; the fiberglass panels cover levels 1 through 8. Levels 1 to 3 generally address handgun threats, levels 4 to 8 rifle and submachine gun threats.
One point is easy to misread: level 6 is not an incremental step up from level 5. It is a five-shot 9 mm rating at higher velocity, so it uses a light 3/8-inch panel. Note too that UL 752 rates architectural building components, while NIJ standards are aimed primarily at federal applications and dynamic environments — the two are not interchangeable on a submittal.
On fire, the panels are rated one hour to ASTM E119. Armortex publishes the E119-00a test report for download.
Panel weight does not climb steadily with UL level. The level 6 panel (highlighted) weighs 3.2 lb/ft² because it is rated for multiple 9 mm hits rather than rifle fire. Check structural loading against the SKU, not the level number.
Where are bullet-resistant fiberglass panels used?
Armortex documents the opaque fiberglass line across commercial, government, public, and private facilities — from bank teller lines to courthouses, police stations, safe rooms, schools, and stadiums.
| Sector | Typical facilities |
| Commercial | Banks, credit unions, retail stores, corporate offices, check cashing, convenience stores |
| Government | Courthouses, courtrooms, embassies, military buildings and bases, prisons, police stations |
| Public spaces | Schools, healthcare facilities, transportation hubs, arenas and stadiums |
| Private | Homes in high-risk areas, safe rooms and panic rooms, cashier booths |
What should architects and specifiers consider?
Armortex publishes an editable master specification, Section 10 26 41 — Bullet-Resistant Fiberglass Sheet, written for partition and casework assemblies. Four points most often need coordination.
Coordinate the receiving assembly
The section cross-references what receives the sheet: 06 11 00 for wood framing, 06 41 00 for architectural wood casework, and 09 22 00 for metal support assemblies. Because the panel is interior and concealed, the substrate and fastening schedule belong in those sections rather than in 10 26 41.
Detail the joints
Any butt joint or seam creates a ballistic weakness. Armortex requires a minimum 4-inch-wide backup layer of bullet-resistant sheet centered on each joint, giving a 2-inch overlap per side so the reinforced joint at least equals the panel’s ballistic level. Curved surfaces take 12- to 18-inch vertical strips following the inside curvature, with the same overlap strips at every joint. Fastening at perimeters, junctures, and penetrations must also maintain the rating.
Allow for field cutting
Panels cut with ordinary carpentry tools — circular, table, panel, and saber saws — using RemGrit® “Grit Edge” blades, and drill with high-speed steel twist bits at slow speed. Pre-drilling may be required on 1 3/16-inch and thicker material. They fasten with self-tapping drywall screws, bolts, or industrial mastic, and accept veneer, upholstery, or paint over a sanded surface. For prolonged cutting, Armortex recommends a disposable respirator, Tyvek® coveralls, and a well-ventilated area.
Submittals and warranty
The section calls for product data including bullet-resistant ratings, plus an optional sustainable design submittal for regional materials manufactured within 500 miles of the site — worth checking on south-central US projects, given the Schertz plant. Substitutions are handled under Division 01 or listed as not permitted. Materials and workmanship carry a two-year warranty from date of receipt at the project site.
Model it before you draw it
Armortex maintains a BIM library through BIMsmith with Revit families for the fiberglass composite panels alongside glazing, windows, doors, and transaction equipment. Revit support runs Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm CT.
How do you source Armortex fiberglass panels?
Armortex sells direct and worldwide, and is explicit about its scope: it is a material supplier and does not provide installation services, though it will help locate a contractor in your region. Installation suits anyone with skills consistent with competent, experienced installers — typically general construction experience, with no certification required.
Quotes start on the Armortex contact page, which routes to a regional sales representative, or by phone at 1-800-880-8306. Same-day shipping, factory technical support, and UL Listed products are among the company’s listed capabilities.
For anything outside the six stock sizes, Armortex is a custom manufacturer. Its Schertz facility runs a Mazak fiber optic laser and a Flow waterjet, which holds precision tolerances and cuts bevels without the heat of other advanced systems — useful when panels must be profiled or perforated for hardware before reaching the site.
Why choose Armortex?
- Manufacturing since 1980 at one facility in Schertz, Texas, across bullet, blast, and forced entry resistant products.
- ISO 9001 certified quality management system, audited by an independent certification body.
- Agency approvals: the panels are UL-compliant and approved by the U.S. Marshals Service and the General Services Administration, among other agencies.
- Woven in-house: Armortex produces its own ballistic cloth, which is how it controls press quality and projectile retention.
- Complete barrier line: panels sit alongside Armortex glazing, transaction windows, doors, deal trays, drawers, speakers, gun ports, and aluminum storefront — one opening, one manufacturer.
- Custom fabrication in-house, plus published data sheets, specifications, and Revit content for every level.
Armortex technical resources
- Fiberglass ballistic chart (UL 752) — PDF
- Section 10 26 41 master specification — PDF
- Installation and cutting instructions — PDF
- ASTM E119-00a fire test report — PDF
- Fiberglass brochure and SDS sheet — PDF / DOCX
- F. 100 – O.F. 800 individual data sheets — product pages
- BIM / Revit library via BIMsmith — Revit families
All are published on the Armortex fiberglass panels page: http://www.armortex.com/our-products/fiberglass-panels/
Frequently asked questions
What are bullet-resistant fiberglass panels?
Bullet-resistant fiberglass panels are opaque composite sheets that stop bullets and prevent penetration. Armortex builds them from multiple layers of woven roving ballistic-grade fiberglass impregnated with thermoset polyester resin and pressed into flat rigid sheets. They are lightweight, fire-rated, and designed to be concealed behind drywall, millwork, or furniture.
How do bullet-resistant fiberglass panels work?
The panel captures the projectile rather than deflecting it. Armortex designs the sheet as a non-ricochet type product with controlled internal delaminating, so the laminate separates layer by layer on impact and spreads the energy until the round is retained inside the panel, lessening the potential for random injury or lateral penetration.
What UL 752 levels are available?
Armortex supplies bullet-resistant fiberglass panels in UL 752 levels 1 through 8, tested to the 11th Edition standard for bullet resisting equipment. Levels 1 to 3 generally cover handgun threats such as 9 mm, .357 Magnum, and .44 Magnum. Levels 4 to 8 cover rifle and submachine gun threats.
How thick are Armortex fiberglass panels?
Nominal thickness runs from 1/4″ at UL level 1 to 1 7/16″ at UL level 8. Intermediate thicknesses are 3/8″ at levels 2 and 6, 1/2″ at level 3, 1 1/16″ at level 7, 1 3/16″ at level 4, and 1 3/8″ at level 5. Confirm against the specific SKU.
How much do the panels weigh?
Nominal weight runs from 2.9 lb/ft² for the O.F. 100 level 1 panel to 16 lb/ft² for the O.F. 800 level 8 panel. The level 6 panel is the outlier at 3.2 lb/ft², because its rating covers five 9 mm shots rather than rifle fire. Use the per-SKU figure for structural loading.
Are Armortex fiberglass panels fire rated?
Yes. Armortex bullet-resistant fiberglass sheet carries a one-hour fire rating tested to ASTM E119, the standard test methods for fire tests of building construction and materials. The ASTM E119-00a fire test report is published on the Armortex fiberglass panels page and can be included with project submittals.
How are the panels installed?
Cut with ordinary carpentry tools using RemGrit® “Grit Edge” blades, drill with high-speed steel twist bits at slow speed, and fasten with self-tapping drywall screws, bolts, or industrial mastic. Pre-drilling may be needed on material 1 3/16″ and thicker. Reinforce every seam with a 4-inch overlap strip to maintain the rating.
Can Armortex fiberglass panels be customized?
Yes. Armortex is a custom manufacturer and will collaborate on designs built to a project’s requirements. Its Schertz facility operates CNC equipment including a Mazak fiber optic laser and a Flow waterjet, allowing precise cutting tolerances and beveled cuts on composites without the heat other methods introduce.
Where can I get specifications and Revit files?
The Armortex fiberglass panels page hosts the ballistic chart, Section 10 26 41, installation and cutting instructions, the ASTM E119 fire test report, the brochure, and the SDS sheet. Revit families come through the Armortex BIM library, delivered with BIMsmith. Individual O.F. 100 to O.F. 800 data sheets sit on each product page.
Specifying with confidence
Specifying bullet-resistant fiberglass panels comes down to three decisions: the UL 752 level the threat calls for, the sheet size and joint layout the assembly allows, and the thickness and weight the structure must carry. Armortex® publishes all three for every level from O.F. 100 to O.F. 800, along with an editable Section 10 26 41, a one-hour ASTM E119 fire rating, Revit content, and a two-year warranty. Panels ship direct from Schertz, Texas, with custom cutting when stock sizes will not do.
All product data in this article is drawn from Armortex® published documentation, including the UL 752 fiberglass ballistic chart, Section 10 26 41, the fabrication instructions, and the O.F. series data sheets. Confirm current values against the manufacturer’s documents before issuing a specification.
Armortex® · 5926 Corridor Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154 · 1-800-880-8306 · armortex.com