School security is a constant concern for parents.
According to Education Week’s 2025 School Shooter Tracker, there have already been two school shootings this year, and since 2018, there have been 223 attacks with at least one person killed or injured. During that span, 141 people died and 379 were injured.
For most of those incidents, few barriers prevented the attackers from entering the school, something that the glass industry is well aware of. To help mitigate these threats, there has been a strong push to ensure the proper authorities understand the benefits of bullet-resistant windows and doors and what glass can do to deter potential shooters.
School security was a focal point at the National Glass Association’s Glass Conference in Carlsbad, California, at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa. The event featured a School Security Workshop on Wednesday focused on fenestration assemblies for school building security.
What Was Covered?
Discussions centered on ASTM F3561 (Standard Test Method for Forced-Entry Resistance of Fenestration Systems after Simulated Active Shooter Attack), including details of the standard and types of fenestration products that could meet testing considerations based on existing test results. Attendees also discussed the role of window and security film.
Development of ASTM F3561
Julia Schimmelpenningh of Eastman says the goal of ASTM F3561 is to increase protection and provide an understandable and comprehensive test method. The test simulates forced entry after the glass has been shot. It’s not a ballistic rating.
“This is not an absolute for forced entry,” notes Schimmelpenningh.
She adds that the committee also wanted to improve reproducibility and provide product options for localities with different financial budgets. The test was published in 2022 and updated in 2023. It currently has eight levels. Glass that falls within the mid-level range includes laminated glazing, while the top levels comprise laminated sheeting and film laminating glass.
Why Use ASTM F3561?
Schimmelpenningh says the process ensures the glass is forced-entry resistant, helps deter attackers, allows first responders to arrive in time, and the test method is reproducible, has multiple levels and undergoes systemic reviews. Pending updates that have been improved include size and sample numbers, narrow lite accommodations, testing height limits and lock center jamb adjustment. Schimmelpenningh adds that there is a new work item (No. 93371) to test retrofit glazing. It will look at film, glass, plastics and others. The first draft has been submitted.
Testing
Travis Hoover of Intertek says there are two testing facilities, Intertek and Molimo Architectural Testing. To start the process, aside from getting the quote, Hoover says a commercial window manufacturer needs to consider glass, glazing type, frame and operability. Door manufacturers must consider panels, locking, hinges, glass and others. Systems tested must be full-sized production representatives with all required hardware, with at least three separate test specimens of identical construction.
Balancing Security and Life-Safety
Devin Bowman of Technical Glass Products says there is sometimes an overlap between fire protection and ballistic resistance. He explains that when fire and life-safety requirements intersect with enhanced security goals, one form of protection must not compromise the other. For example, some security products feature plastic, which burns quickly. To know if a product can balance those goals, it all comes down to testing.
Role of Window Film in Schools
Lisa Winckler of the International Window Film Association says the association strongly believes window film does not stop bullets. The film is used in conjunction with glass and is intended to reduce the “spalling” of tiny glass fragments on the interior side in the event of being penetrated by ballistics. It also helps hold the glass in place to delay entry. To be effective, it is vital that the installed system be able to withstand repeated entry attempts.
Source: USGlass with additional information added by GlassBalkan
