Considerations for Blast-Resistant Glazing Design

When an explosive threat exists building owners should strongly consider using blast-resistant glazing in windows and curtain walls. Architects and engineers have no publicly available tools, procedures, or formal guidelines to aid in the design of blastresistant glazing. This paper discusses factors pertinent to the design of blast-resistant glazing. It makes specific recommendations concerning window glass types and constructions suitable for use in blast-resistant glazing constructions. It addresses considerations in framing and attachment of blast-resistant glazing to its framing. Most significantly, the authors offer a relatively simple approach to facilitate blast-resistant glazing design in terms of traditional window glass design methodologies for laminated glass and insulating glass fabricated with laminated glass. Use of the blast-resistant glazing design procedure described herein eliminates the need for very expensive blast testing.