Personal safety

When float glass is broken (normal window glass), it breaks into sharp shards that are dangerous to anyone in the vicinity. This is particularly hazardous if the window is broken by human impact. Toughened (tempered) glass can produce showers of small glass pellets that can cause serious injury; especially in the event of a car crash (because most automotive side glass is tempered). The building codes of some countries specify requirements for personal safety in architectural glass and glazing. Certain films with correct certification can be used to upgrade existing glass and glazing to meet the safety standards specified in the building codes.

Ballistic (Firearms) Attacks:

With the large degree of “drive by” and / or prank related shootings, firearms attacks are a major cause for concern. The result of a bullet hitting a pane of glass is similar to that of any other object only with more intense compacted velocity. The glass violently explodes and the projectile is not slowed. GSS by no means constitutes complete protection against such occurrences. However, dependent upon the thickness of the glass and film used GSS products have been tested to resist 9mm and AK47 rounds. GSS products keep the glass from exploding, and even though penetration may occur, laboratory and ballistics tests confirm that trajectories are altered, velocity is greatly diminished, and projectile splintering greatly diminishes loss of life, this is also referred to as “Non-Lethal Penetration” which can reduce serious injury.

Fire Bombs:

While it is not a common method of attack in the U.S., firebombs, (commonly referred to as Molotov Cocktails) constitute a very real threat by the very nature of the damage they can cause. GSS products, applied to windows at risk, can prevent the firebomb from penetrating and thus will prevent the resultant fire inside. The firebomb will burst into flames on the exterior of the building confining any damage outside.

Solar Heat Reduction:

Our clear and tinted films, like conventional films offer varying degrees of heat and glare reduction. Factors to be considered are: solar and energy heat transfer, shading coefficients, emissivity, and heat and glare rejection. GSS product can be extremely energy efficient as well as be protective. Even our clear films have up to 27% solar rejection, while retaining up 98% optical clarity.

Ultra-Violet Ray Protection:

Our film, by its manufactured nature, filters out most all of the harmful and damaging ultra-violet (UV) rays. This is the part of the light and heat spectrum most commonly associated with carpet, fabric and furniture fading. All of GSS’s products filter out over 98% of these harmful UV rays, reducing harmful fading.

Security Matters

Security and safety window films are also making headway in the window film market. While some security film blocks solar radiation, its primary purpose is to prevent shards of flying glass from injuring occupants if the window breaks. Causes of breakage can include bomb blasts, hurricanes, seismic events, or people attempting forced entry through a window.