Protective Curtain Wall Design | US Bulletproofing

Protective curtain wall systems form an important element of security in many buildings. These consist of fully tested window systems that are offer complete protection in both the frame and the glazing. There are protective curtain wall systems that also provide multi-threat protection from ballistics, blasts, storm impacts and forced entry. These systems can often be found in police stations, government buildings,, banks, corporate offices and other properties where protecting people and assets is a high priority. Although they offer a high level of protection from a wide range of threats, they won’t be at their highest level of effectiveness unless you have a system that meets all of today’s building design requirements and are properly installed.

Understanding Security Curtain Wall Structural Design

There are numerous key considerations that must be taken into account when planning the installation of a protective curtain wall system. These include:

Structural Integrity

One of the most important elements of any curtain wall system is how well it handles wind load. The more stress put on the framing by wind, the more likely it is that the glass will become compromised. It’s necessary to ensure that the system you choose is rated high enough for the anticipated wind load.

Provision for Movement

Buildings are constantly shifting and moving based on various factors including wind, thermal expansion and contraction, and the effects of gravity. Your building’s protective curtain wall system must be able to account for this to limit the amount of force being exerted on the glass.

Weathertightness

Curtain wall window systems on building exteriors must be able to protect against the leakage of water and air. This is necessary not only for the comfort of those inside the property, but also to prevent damage to the structure over time. These systems should be designed to either allow water to drain out of the frame or use a pressure-equalized design to prevent water from being drawn into it in the first place.

Energy Efficiency

Featuring thermally broken frames and high-performance insulated glass, modern protective curtain wall windows are designed to meet applicable building codes for energy efficiency. The manufacturer of your curtain wall system should be able to help you determine which products make the most sense based on where your building is and other specific requirements.

Sound Control

Because they use glazing made with laminated and insulated glass, these windows should provide adequate sound dampening for most applications. These solutions can help prevent the transmission of sound in or out of the building for confidentiality, security and privacy reasons.

Trust U.S. Bullet Proofing

The right protective curtain wall window system does more than keep those inside the building safe from threats. Security curtain wall design should also take into consideration providing protection from noise pollution, the elements and wasted energy. U.S. Bullet Proofing’s ballistic, blast resistant curtain wall windows are expertly engineered and manufactured to provide the highest levels of performance in all aspects of what they do. If you want to learn more about these systems and how they can enhance your property, be sure to reach out and speak with a representative from our team to discuss your needs.