Security Retrofit (Confidential Client)

A Case for Increased Security

Project Overview

A client reached out to us to help them with an ongoing security issue. On multiple occasions, they had been the victims of vandalism to their multi-story building. Around their main business entrance, and up through four stories of the building’s façade, large lites of glass were purposefully shattered when offenders maliciously shot projectiles at them repeatedly. The glass breakage also posed a safety threat to the employees inside the building. After incurring the expense of replacing the glass each time, our client sought a more permanent and economical solution.

They turned to Giroux Glass for our expertise and knowledge of security glazing. We reviewed their needs and recommended that we install DefenseLite® BulletShield as a retrofit over the existing floors of street-facing windows and automatic door openings. BulletShield is an overglaze that mounts onto existing windows and doorframes, which creates a protective layer that mitigates ballistic attacks through the glass. Customized powder coating provides full aesthetic integration with existing glazing upon retrofit installation. This was a much more economical and less disruptive solution than another potential solution: replacing four stories with fully rated, traditional “bulletproof” glass systems and at a fraction of that cost.

For this project, our glaziers installed level one, ballistic-rated glazing and containment grade panels in multiple locations from the interior side only. They completed the retrofit on the first floor’s entry doors, laboratory, and reception area, and on the upper floors, to the interior of the curtain wall system.

The DefenseLite system had to be custom-matched to the existing exterior glass framing. This allowed us to install a ballistic system at the vision openings (floor-to-ceiling glass windows) by two methods:

1. System installation is within the daylight opening, and flush to the back of the existing window system.
2. System installation surface mounted on the back of the system. This method allowed us to align the new system to each existing window.

We anchored the upgraded security glass to the existing window frames, which created an airspace between the primary glass and the DefenseLite clear shield. Our use of containment grade panels for additional protection allowed us to surface mount connectors to the drywall, below the vision openings and new ballistic system.

Giroux Glass weather sealed each installed panel, ensuring longer building life expectations. These panels are engineered to be removable when needed. Additionally, because DefenseLite is custom-made for every window or door, it blended seamlessly into the existing framing.  Our client was pleased to note that once completed, the system was nearly invisible to the casual observer.

The DefenseLite ballistic system creates a completely insulated unit, and it is essential to remove all debris from the surfaces between the retrofitted polycarbonate material and the existing glass. This meant we carefully eliminated all moisture, fingerprints, dust, and anything that may have existed between the windows. Once we installed the system, we drilled vent holes, which if done incorrectly, could have allowed the possibility of additional detritus within the unit. We accomplished this without any issues.

When planned and installed correctly, DefenseLite is an advanced forced entry protection system that combines the best of material science with an easy-to-retrofit solution. When installed correctly over windows and doors by experienced glaziers, this system provides an ideal and economical solution for buildings that are vulnerable to ballistic threats.

Challenges and Solutions

1. Union labor requirements: The client had previously approved a different product and had awarded the job to another installation company prior to calling us. They realized that their original installer was non-union, which conflicted with the client’s requirements to use union labor.  Since Giroux Glass uses only union glaziers in California, the client could be sure of getting the level of quality and expertise they expected with our skilled glaziers.

2. Lead time and quality: Prior to our involvement, and while the broken panes of glass awaited replacement, it was necessary for our client to relocate their employees away from their regular offices. After being displaced for several weeks, this was negatively affecting morale, and they were eager to return to their offices. Through in-person and virtual meetings, we submitted physical samples, specifications, drawings, and pictures of how and why our product would provide them an effective, yet fast solution.

3. Funding and installation timing: This project presented an unplanned and significant expense for our client. By using non-allocated discretionary funds from their annual budget, this project had to be 90% completed and billed by the end of December 2022. That allowed us only 64 days from our first call to measure, procure materials, and schedule the production. We were in constant contact with our suppliers — and our solution was to multi-source and deliver components as needed, in several phases. Our field team started the project on time and completed the first sections, while the additional materials we required were simultaneously manufactured, cut, and shipped. By working closely with everyone, and keeping a close watch on the timing of each phase’s delivery, we accomplished this without sacrificing quality.

4. Customization: Installing the new DefenseLite BulletShield product into the existing system required ingenuity and skill. Because glazing is a finish trade, our team needed to modify many parts before its final installation. Once completed, these changes added to the project’s overall aesthetic appeal, without detracting from its effectiveness.

Part of the project included the need to reinstall roller shades on the windows as well, after we had completed the installation of the ballistic system. In addition, due to the building’s chamfered details at the far ends of the elevation and the center of the elevation, these edges caused the mullions to be at an angle in those sections. Many openings terminated behind a shallow return wall. In each case, we communicated with our client, the architect, and our field teams promptly to discuss possible solutions: how to create a compatible result, using custom angles, flat plates and tubes of various dimensions.

Overall, the finished system ties in seamlessly with the existing curtain wall system – the final installation looks like one integrated system. The added metal components match the original metal properties, including the anodization. We concealed all the fasteners and caulking while ensuring that we matched the ventilation components to remain nearly invisible, right down to the colors used. The lack of discernible separation between the original curtain wall and the installed retrofit systems is a reflection of our crew’s expertise and artistry. Their attention to detail, meticulous installation, and patience are evident in the harmonious results. These factors all contributed to the finished project’s attractive design, leading no one to suspect that the actual main driver of this retrofit was to increase safety.

Materials

• DefenseLite® Bullet Shield bullet-resistant glass security panels