A bullet-resistant fiberglass panel stops what it is rated to stop. The joint between two panels does not, unless it is detailed to. Armortex®, which manufactures bullet-resistant fiberglass panels at its facility in Schertz, Texas, addresses this directly in its…
Tag: building products
How Do Contractors Install Armortex Ballistic Fiberglass Panels in a Metal Stud Wall?
Armortex® bullet-resistant fiberglass panels are rigid, UL 752-rated sheets that contractors fasten to wall framing, including metal stud assemblies, to create concealed ballistic protection behind drywall or other finishes. Armortex manufactures the panels in Schertz, Texas, and publishes the cutting,…
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What Changes When an Office Moves From UL 752 Level 1 to Level 3?
Armortex® manufactures bullet-resistant glazing, opaque fiberglass wall panels, and transaction equipment across all three UL 752 handgun levels, the range Armortex says usually suits commercial security applications. Its guidance for urban offices treats Level 1 as the baseline and reserves…
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What Ballistic Glazing and Frame Options Does Armortex Offer for Law Enforcement Reception Transaction Windows?
A law enforcement reception transaction window is a bullet-resistant window assembly set into a front desk or booking counter so police personnel can see, speak with, and exchange items with visitors from behind a ballistic barrier. Armortex®, which has manufactured…
Bullet-Resistant Fiberglass Panels: How to Specify and Source Panels
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…
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How Do Manufacturers Reach Architects and Specifiers With Sustainability Content?
Design professionals have a mandatory annual continuing education requirement, and AIA reports that its members earn roughly 1.35 million hours of continuing education each year through AIA-approved providers. GreenCE, Inc., an AIA Education Provider and USGBC Education Partner, develops and…
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What Is Bullet-Resistant Glass and How Does It Work?
Bullet-resistant glass is a multi-layer glazing assembly, ¾ inch to 4 inches thick, engineered to absorb and distribute the energy of a firearm projectile and prevent penetration. It is rated under UL 752, Standard for Bullet-Resisting Equipment, 11th Edition, across…
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The Critical Distinction Between Safety and Security Glazing
Specifying security glazing for windows is one of the most consequential decisions in high-risk facility design — and it starts with understanding that "safety glass" and "security glass" are not interchangeable terms. Safety glazing prevents accidental injury. Security glazing is…
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Certifications and Testing Standards for Bullet-Resistant Fiberglass Panels: What to Look For
Quick Summary When buying bullet-resistant fiberglass panels, the most important verification is a UL 752 listing at the required level, supported by documented test data, a fire rating to ASTM E119, and — where relevant — NIJ rating for federal…
NIJ Ballistic Standards for Glass and Materials: What NIJ 0108.01 Means
Executive Summary NIJ 0108.01 is the US National Institute of Justice’s Standard for Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials — a standard for flat ballistic materials such as armor plate, shields, and vehicle inserts, not architectural glazing systems. It defines threat Types…
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Which Free AIA Courses Cover Building Envelope and Waterproofing?
Building envelope and waterproofing courses address how a wall or roof assembly controls water, air, vapor, and heat — subject matter that qualifies for AIA LU|HSW credit because envelope failures directly affect occupant health and building durability. Ron Blank &…
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Where Can Engineers Earn Free PDH Credits from RCEP Registered Providers?
Engineers can earn free professional development hours (PDH) through organizations listed in the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP), a nationwide registry of continuing education providers managed by the American Council of Engineering Companies. One PDH equals one contact hour of…
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The Data Center Buildout Nobody in AEC Is Stress-Testing
Only 802 of 3,969 announced US data centers are actually under construction. That gap is the most important number in nonresidential construction right now. There are two conversations happening about AI data centers, and they almost never touch. The first…
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How Manufacturers Are Using AIA CEUs to Get in the Room Before the Project Starts
Manufacturers use AIA continuing education to reach specifiers because health, safety, and welfare credit cannot be self-reported. Architects must earn HSW learning units from an AIA CES-registered provider such as Ron Blank & Associates, Inc. (RBA). AIA Architect members need…
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The ROI of Sponsoring an AIA Continuing Education Course
The Short Answer A sponsored AIA continuing education course is best understood as a depreciating asset with a multi-year life, while a trade show booth is a single-period expense. That difference — not the sticker price — is what usually…
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