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Window Films and Screens: A School Safety Alternative

Consultants of the Crown Point, Ind.-based Van Gorp Group recently attended the Indiana Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) conference held in French Lick, Ind., May 11-13, where many attendees were pricing bullet resistant glass for their school entryways. Van Gorp Group is dedicated to protecting children and schools, but also to providing cost effective security alternatives. As a risk management/security company, we specialize in neutralizing threats and protecting people, property and identifying risk.
In speaking with many IASBO members, we were advised that their number one goal was to slow down the entry of a potential intruder while enacting safety measures for the occupants and providing law enforcement additional time to respond. By protecting the entryways, we begin to address the safety and security issues all schools face. Unfortunately, by protecting the entryways and not the windows, alternative rapid entry is only walking distance away, as unprotected windows afford rapid access to the school and children. To address these problems there are safety and security films — some better than others — which for a fraction of the cost would address the above-mentioned goals.
Another concern IASBO members shared was that windows need to be used for student comfort in schools that do not have air conditioning. Obviously, open windows provide yet another security challenge. The cost to replace all windows, or install an air-conditioning system to a school building that would allow windows to remain closed, would be staggering. To address this issue, we suggest window security screens.
What exactly is a security screen? Security screens are not security bars, although they perform the same duty. Security bars give a school or business an institutional appearance. Security screens, on the other hand, do not take away from the curb appeal or professionalism of an institution. The screens look very much like conventional screens, can be retrofitted, are virtually impenetrable and are a fraction of the cost of bullet resistant glass. They can be used on existing windows to afford air flow, reduce heat, reduce glare and protect the school from entry. A combination of security screens and doors can protect entryways in place of costly bullet resistant glass. By reducing costs, additional safety film can be installed on other unprotected windows.

The life of just one student is priceless, however, schools and universities must operate within often slim budgets. A combination of security films, screens and excellent overall security awareness, we believe, can make a huge difference in school safety and security.
Anthony J. Van Gorp has 14 years of law enforcement experience and established Investigative Solutions & Consulting Services Inc. in 2002 and the Van Gorp Group in 2013. The Van Gorp Group provides executive protection, armed and unarmed security, consulting and training services. Van Gorp Group is a 3M safety and security film distributor in Indiana as well as a TAPCO security screen and door distributor.

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Window Film: A Necessary Safety Measure for Schools

A school is meant to be a safe place for students to learn. In light of recent tragic events in our nation’s schools, school leaders and construction managers are now forced to consider a wide range of solutions to improve the safety of their facilities. While security initiatives such as video surveillance and door security systems are important to incorporate into any school’s design, there’s one often overlooked measure: window film.

Safety and security window film is a tool that, when integrated with a well-planned system of security measures, can offer a school community both greater security and greater peace of mind. Safety and security film is a polyester-based product that, when professionally installed, strengthens a building’s windows, which in turn protects the building and its occupants. Window film is used in many applications, with increasing popularity in municipal and commercial structures.

Whether you’re renovating or building a new school facility, window film is a safety and security measure worth incorporating. Here are two reasons school leaders and construction managers should consider window film:

1. Anti-Intrusion

Windows and doors are the most vulnerable parts of a building. They are points of entry for people that may mean harm to the occupants. Glass is also an inviting target for vandals intent on mischief or worse. The main benefit of safety and security film is to provide an invisible shield that offers protection from broken glass and deters or delays unwanted entry. When ordinary annealed glass breaks, it poses considerable danger, but with filmed glass this hazard may be significantly reduced.

Keep in mind that the use of safety window film alone will not prevent intrusion through glass. Instead, it increases the amount of time needed to break through and can deter the efforts of the potential intruder altogether after multiple unsuccessful attempts to enter through the filmed glass.

To further increase the performance of filmed glass, consider affixing the security film to the window frame using one of the various attachment systems on the market today such as Gullwing, Lifeline or FrameGard. Attaching film to the window frame eliminates the vulnerable area where the film stops at the glazing gasket. This transfers the load or pressure typically applied to the filmed glass to the entire glazed opening, increasing the performance of the window against intrusion threats.

2. Privacy & Protection

As most schools operate during daylight hours, an intruder can still see into classrooms — even if the blinds are drawn in some cases. Each window is essentially a map to the entire school. Potential intruders can easily see in and gather details of the entire school — the hallways, media center, office, cafeteria, etc. — which makes it easier to create a plan to gain entry and target victims.

For the leaders at Ballston Spa Elementary School in New York, the decision to use professionally installed window film was a cost-effective solution that made their school safer for staff and students. With the installation of Madico’s SafetyShield 800, the school now adheres to national building and safety codes. The film does not affect the performance of wired glass as a fire stop; window film doesn’t get in the way of aesthetics or existing window benefits.

There are so many moving parts to a school construction project from budgetary concerns to the project timeline and the impact of an active construction site on student focus. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is the safety of staff and students. As you plan your next construction project, think about the benefits of today’s security window films for the entire school community — and be sure to consult a safety film expert.

Michael Mancini is the director of marketing for Madico Inc., in St. Petersburg, Fla. Madico develops, manufactures and markets technologically advanced film laminates.

Read more about how window film can improve school safety in the May issue of School Construction News.

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How Window Film Can Improve Energy Efficiency in Schools

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Schools are constantly weighing the options of “going green,” but many are confronted with the harsh funding barriers that prevent some districts from spending money on green construction projects (or any projects for that matter). However, an answer for some districts may be simple, according to the International Window Film Association (IWFA). The IWFA, based in Martinsville, Va. is a nonprofit trade association composed of window film dealers, distributors and manufacturers in the window film industry and have supported the use of window film in projects nationwide, including school facilities.

Darrell Smith, executive director of IWFA explained the benefits of using window film in renovations at schools, which include reduced energy costs, safety and security, overall cost savings and reduced time for installation.

The energy efficiency of window film has been proven to reduce energy costs, according to Smith. Smith also explained that 98 to 99 percent of UV rays are blocked from entering through glass windows if they are protected by window film.

“Another advantage of using window film is to combat heat loads, and balance out hot and cold spots in the building,” said Smith.

By using window film, it can regulate temperatures on opposite sides of the building, where temperatures may vary depending on the time of day. There is also the added benefit of receiving natural light in the building, while keeping indoor temperatures down. Some districts choose to use curtains to block out the sun’s glare and heat during the day, but this leads to classrooms using artificial lighting. With window film, classrooms are able to utilize natural lighting, while the tint of the window film helps to reflect solar heat gain from entering.

Smith recommended window film for almost every school district, but believes it is more beneficial during a renovation (compared to new construction, although it can be used for new construction to combat glare) in order to save time, money and the environment.

“Schools can extend the life of existing buildings by using window film,” he said. “Window film also helps to improve the energy efficiency of the building. I think it is important to consider window film before ripping out and putting in new windows. It’s a no brainer that window film is cost-effective and you can get the same energy control as new windows, as well as some other added benefits.”

Other benefits include safety and security, such as bomb blast window film products, “which have been tested and are listed in the General Services Administration bomb blast criteria,” said Smith. “If there is a bomb inside the building it protects the people inside and in close proximity outside from falling glass fragments caused by the windows.”

The chosen tint of the window film also helps with added security, as outsiders cannot always see indoors if specific window film is used.

Along with safety, window film is also efficient when it comes to installation as well as return on investment.

“Installation only takes one day [after school] and does not disrupt classes, so it is perfect for schools looking to renovate their windows but on a tight schedule or tight budget,” said Smith.

The cost of window film varies depending on which film is selected and the area in which the film will be used. However, Smith explained that the lower cost of film would range from approximately $4 to $6 per square-foot, while the higher cost of film would range from approximately $5 to $9 per square-foot.

Smith explained that window film has been popular since the late 1970s and increases in popularity every time there is an energy and/or financial crisis, where people look for cost-effective and energy-efficient ways to renovate properties.

Although IWFA does not supply or manufacturer window film, they do provide information on where to locate professional window film personnel, including suppliers, manufacturers, dealers and/or distributors. In order to find out more information about window film and whether or not it is right for your school or school district, please visit, www.iwfa.com.

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