Priorities for Building Typologies

Traditionally financial institutions, police, judicial institutions required ballistic designing, but today media centers, public transportation centers and regional utilities centers are prioritizing ballistics measures. This includes installing protective barriers in the form of landscaping, lighting, and motion sensors, adding panel systems to their building facades, mechanical equipment and intake vents. These public institutions are creating a strategy for controlled access and setting up key people for carrying out the day-to-day security plan while providing more site training for preparedness. Public acceptance of barrier designs is not only subjective but a fact most users welcome.

Many employers are fearful of customer rejection of bullet resisting barriers. But customers are increasingly asking for this protection because they know they are safer in a store with visible security. The fact that fifty percent of workplace homicide victims work in retail establishments is not lost to the consumer. Levels 4-8 are for higher-powered rifles. These Levels are generally used for street facing offices where drive-by shootings may occur. Computer, electronic or telecommunication equipment may be exposed to exterior threat.

Integrated Fabrications Bring Added Security

Protection panels are installed both above and below the countertop. Polycarbonate spreads to capture the bullet. This ability prevents bullets from ricocheting off the protection barriers and possibly hitting objects in the vicinity.

For example if a lobby is under fire, there will be some containment of the projectiles within the material itself. Federal government agencies select design professionals that have experience with security consultants, manufacturers and industry leaders. Through new technology such as virtual design modeling software tools and enhancement technologies, laboratory explosives testing, and ballistic projectile testing designers can project strategic methodologies to bring added security. These are some ways for designers to anticipate disaster effects and create designed preventive measures to be "virtually" tested before specifications are finalized.

Efficient Manufacturing Saves Time and Money

How can owners save money in this area of construction? If an institution is moving, the acrylic panel systems are removable and can be restored at a new location with reuse of the panels saving as much as 40%. This savings is reflected in time, materials, and quantity ordered.

Modular Units Vs Custom
Modular construction is also completely fabricated by the manufacturer, shipped to the job site and installed by other installers or the manufacturer. Modular units are generally floor to ceiling and can be single or double counter top widths in a public space. They are made for interior transaction or lobby use. They can be stand up or sit down and offer numerous options such as privacy panels. Modular units are particularly appropriate when short-term building leases mandate short-term applications or transportability. They are often considered fixtures and not permanent building improvements. Modular Units consists of three parts assembled by the manufacturer.

In the UL-752 fiberglass finished with a plastic laminate for example, is the material combination specified as a custom finished application. This can be used for a counter top with recessed deal trays and include fiberglass inlays. A transaction window might call for a UL-752 clear material panel choice customized with a natural voice port or opening with opaque soffit to match base. Manufacturer's ballistic capture frames which hold the UL rated panels in place, are calculated as to thickness and size of material in ratio to rabbet depth of edge engagement.

These parts are attached together to form one 8 to 10 foot high structure. They can be very basic or customized to a company's logo colors and finishes. Counter tops can be straight, curved or bull nosed. Add-on components consist of doors, solid walls and large item pass-thru.

However there are both opportunities and challenges of fast-track projects, which may not allow the time for proper test results and design. This construction method choice has the advantage of bringing the project to completion in a timely manner thereby increasing the level of security provided for the continuous operation of the facility while it undergoes security installations.