Designing your bomb blast window solution
Bomb blast windows offer protection of buildings such as government or high profile buildings at risk of terrorist attack, and are essential to protect life, infrastructure, and assets. Bomb blast resistant protective measures – especially bomb blast windows – generally must be integrated within the architectural design of public and private buildings to create a space that is aesthetically pleasing and prepared for a blast.
Counter terrorist measures are undertaken on buildings where a ‘bomb blast’ attack is a serious threat posed by terrorists. For example, a ‘bomb blast’ can be caused by an IED (improvised explosive device). Once an explosive device is detonated, a pressure wave is produced which can propagate for great distances affecting not only the targeted building but the entire surrounding area.
As a result, significant damage can be caused to buildings which do not have bomb blast windows installed; shattered glass and other debris from windows and doors become projectiles and pose significant threat to life both inside and out of the building.
If neighboring buildings are not adequately protected from bomb blast, the glass facades of these buildings shatter and the projected glass fragments cause the public serious harm; up to 95% of all injuries resulting from bomb blast are caused by flying or falling glass.
Blast Proof vs. Blast Resistant
It is important to note that bomb blast resistant windows are not entirely ‘bomb proof’ due to the variance in blast pressures therefore, ‘blast resistance’ is a more appropriate term. For example, a blast can be caused by a small backpack bomb or a van with a ton of high explosive; both pose a risk to life but the impact of the blast differs significantly.
A building set up to withstand a small blast may not be fully equipped for a large one, so assessing potential threats is key. Once threat levels have been determined, Thermolite offers blast resistant window and curtain wall solutions. These solutions will either be selected from our existing, extensive range of systems or an entirely new design developed specifically to suit requirements of the project.
Due to our extensive experience, Thermolite understands how best to design bomb blast windows so as to best mitigate the threat of injury and damage from terrorism. To learn more about what makes our bomb blast window systems different, visit our page here or contact us today at info@thermolitewindows.com.
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