Short answer: UL bullet resistant fiberglass panels — also called ballistic wall panels — are opaque, rigid composite sheets installed inside walls to stop firearm projectiles without a visible sightline. They are rated to UL 752 Levels 1–8(handgun through rifle threats) and weigh just 2.5–14.5 lbs/ft², far lighter than steel at equivalent protection. They are field-cuttable, interior-rated, and concealed within standard wall construction. Armortex composite fiberglass panels are UL-compliant and approved by the U.S. Marshal Service and the GSA.
What Are Bullet Resistant Fiberglass Panels?
They are non-transparent ballistic panels made from composite fiberglass, installed within a wall to protect the people behind it. Unlike bullet-resistant glazing — which protects see-through openings — fiberglass wall panels provide concealed protection where no window is needed: behind reception counters, in control rooms, along corridors, and inside secure offices.
The “UL” in the name refers to UL 752, the Underwriters Laboratories standard that certifies bullet-resistant materials. A panel rated to a given UL 752 level is tested to stop specific firearms and calibers.
What UL 752 Levels Are Available?
Fiberglass wall panels are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8:
- Levels 1–3 — handgun threats (9mm, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum)
- Levels 4–8 — rifle threats (.30-06 and higher)
Levels 9–10 (specialized high-powered and fully automatic rifle threats) fall outside the standard fiberglass panel range and should be discussed with the manufacturer. The right level comes from a facility threat assessment, not from defaulting to the highest available.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Value |
| Ballistic level (UL 752) | Levels 1–8 |
| Weight | 2.5 to 14.5 lbs/ft² |
| Thickness | ¼″ up to about 1 7⁄16″ |
| Length | 8′, 9′, 10′ |
| Width | 3′, 4′ |
| Application | Interior |
| Edge | Square |
| Material | Composite fiberglass (ballistic-grade fiberglass + thermoset resin) |
| Certifications | UL-compliant; U.S. Marshal Service & GSA approved; ASTM E119 fire test report |
How They Work
Armortex fiberglass panels are woven in-house from a roving ballistic-grade fiberglass, mechanically injected with a thermoset resin, and pressed into flat rigid sheets using a hydraulic hot press. This process maximizes ballistic performance through controlled de-lamination and reliable projectile retention — meaning the panel is engineered to capture and hold a round rather than let it pass through.
Where They’re Used
Ballistic wall panels are specified wherever a threat assessment justifies concealed, certified protection:
- Schools and security vestibules
- Courthouses and government buildings
- Police stations (lobbies, booking, dispatch)
- Healthcare facilities (emergency departments, pharmacy counters, psychiatric units)
- Corporate offices, banks, and retail
Installation and Retrofit
Because the panels are lightweight, supplied in standard sheet sizes, and field-cuttable with installation and cutting instructions, they integrate into both new construction and existing interior walls. Their low weight relative to steel makes them practical for retrofits where structural support is limited. One key rule: bullet resistance is a system property — any adjacent window or opening must use bullet-resistant rated glazing in a rated frame, so the whole assembly maintains its rating.
Armortex supplies the panels but does not install them directly; it can help locate qualified contractors.
Certifications
Armortex composite fiberglass panels are UL-compliant and have been approved by the U.S. Marshal Service and the General Services Administration (GSA), among other agencies. An ASTM E119 fire test report is available, and Armortex manufactures under an ISO 9001 quality management system. The company’s published submittal requirements also reference ASTM F1233 forced-entry testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are UL bullet resistant fiberglass panels? Opaque, rigid composite sheets installed inside walls to stop firearm projectiles. They are rated to UL 752 Levels 1–8, made from ballistic-grade fiberglass and thermoset resin, and concealed within standard interior wall construction.
What UL 752 levels do they cover? Levels 1 through 8 — handgun threats at the lower levels and rifle threats at the higher levels. Levels 9–10 are outside the standard fiberglass panel range.
How much do they weigh? Between 2.5 and 14.5 pounds per square foot, depending on the protection level — much lighter than steel at equivalent protection, which makes them well suited to retrofit.
Can they be cut and installed in existing walls? Yes. They are field-cuttable with installation and cutting instructions and integrate into existing interior walls. Specifics depend on the wall construction and should be confirmed with the manufacturer.
Are they fire-rated and certified? Armortex panels are UL-compliant, approved by the U.S. Marshal Service and the GSA, and have an ASTM E119 fire test report available, manufactured under an ISO 9001 quality system.
Do they replace bullet-resistant windows? No. Fiberglass panels protect opaque walls; openings that need visibility use bullet-resistant glazing in a rated frame. The two are used together so the complete assembly carries the rating.
About Armortex
Armortex is a single-source manufacturer of bullet-resistant fiberglass wall panels, glazing, frames, doors, and transaction accessories. Composite fiberglass panels are rated to UL 752 Levels 1–8. With over 40 years of experience under an ISO 9001 quality management system, Armortex serves schools, courthouses, police stations, corporate offices, military installations, and GSA projects.
Contact: Armortex — 5926 Corridor Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154 Phone: 1-800-880-8306 or 1-210-661-8306 Email: info@armortex.com Web: https://www.armortex.com/our-products/fiberglass-panels/
Protection levels, thickness, and weight vary by product configuration; confirm current specifications directly with the manufacturer.