Bulletproof glass offers the ultimate protection against intrusions. It is very hard, can prevent ordinary bullets from penetrating, and may prevent damage to your building. But can this type of commercial glass prevent tornado damage? Springfield Glass explains.
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What FEMA Says
FEMA doesn’t recommend any type of glass to use as a tornado shelter. If you install commercial glass, even the strongest type, you and your customers and employees should still take shelter from the storm as soon as you hear the tornado sirens. However, there are types of commercial glass that can minimize the damage of tornado-driven debris.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass surrounded by a heavy-duty frame must be secured to the window header. Then, the window is typically bolted to the frame with steel bolts to keep debris from breaching your commercial glass.
How does this prevent debris from getting inside your commercial building? Laminated glass contains an inner membrane that keeps it from shattering. This membrane can lessen the impact of debris that hits it. While the glass may break, it won’t shatter into a million shards because of wind-driven debris.
Security Glass
Security glass is a special type of laminated glass that resists impacts. It’s designed to prevent intrusions from high-force impacts, such as hammers from someone trying to break in. This type of commercial glass is the best fit if you want the highest security.
Bottom Line
No glass is completely safe from a tornado. However, some shatter-resistant glass and withstand sustained wind speeds of up to 110 mph and gusts of up to 191 mph. It also depends on how much weight is hurled directly at the window. But for most tornado situations (EF3 or less), security glass will suffice to protect your business from tornado-drive debris.
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Commercial Glass by Springfield Glass Company
The team at Springfield Glass Company has the expertise and knowledge to install high-quality commercial glass. Contact Springfield Glass Company online or call 417.883.6555 for more information on what we can do for your business.