The insanely popular Mafia Wars game on Facebook may have caused you to ignore many a status update. Here at Total Security Solutions, we took note of the recently added bulletproof glass award the game offers. Seems like real or virtual, bulletproof is the undisputed king of safety and protection in dangerous situations.
Bulletproof glass is awarded for certain jobs in Mafia Wars. You can check out this link to the Mafia Wars Wiki for more info.
Bullet resistant glass (better known as bulletproof glass) is referred to very often in this niche industry. However it is a little known fact that in most cases there is no actual “glass” involved. The three most common forms of ballistic security glass are acrylic, polycarbonate and glass class polycarbonate.
Bullet Resistant Acrylic from Total Security Solutions
Acrylic: Bulletproof acrylic is the most commonly used material for transaction windows and ballistic resistant barrier systems. The acrylic material is available in UL ballistic protection levels one and two. The acrylic also has the option to have an abrasion resistant (AR) coating or be standard acrylic. The abrasion resistant coating comes standard on our level two acrylic and provides protection against cleaning solvents and weather, as well as an increased resistance to the effects of ultra violet light.
Polycarbonate: Bulletproof polycarbonate materials are normally composed of an acrylic core with two polycarbonate caps each side of the secure surface. Polycarbonate materials are available in UL ballistic protection levels one thru three and all three come standard with an abrasion resistant coating. All of the polycarbonate materials that Total Security Solutions offers also have a forced entry rating.
Glass Clad Polycarbonate: Glass Clad Polycarbonate (GCP) materials are composed of inter layers of glass and polyurethane with exterior caps of glass and abrasion resistant polycarbonate. GCP comes in UL ballistic protection levels one thru five and level eight as well. All of the GCP materials that Total Security Solutions offers carry a forced entry level in addition to their ballistic rating.
Now when someone is talking about bulletproof glass you can ask them, “what type of ‘glass’ are you talking about”…if it’s even glass at all! For more information on ballistic materials such as bulletproof glass please visit our website or call us at 866-930-7807
Bullet proof transaction windows tend to be the most commonly asked for and purchased item when it comes to bullet resistant products. Upon purchase the most frequently asked question is, “How do I install it?”
While we would love to be able to install every transaction window ourselves, it’s just not economical for either party. Instead Total Security Solutions has came up with a simple three step process for customers to “do it yourself”:
Transaction Window Install Instructions
Bullet proof transaction windows come in UL protection levels 1-3 and several different types (such as the baffle and arched voice port). All of Total Security Solutions transaction windows come with a full installation packet which includes the instructions, hardware, caulk, glass cleaner and towels to clean the glass. For more information on transaction windows visit our website or call 866-930-7807.
Arched Voice Port Bullet Resistant Transaction Window
Starting from the ground up we begin with the counter top that transaction windows often have. The counter top is the foundation for the entire window and they come in two standard forms. The most common counter top material is plastic laminate, which can be provided in a number of different colors. The other is stainless steel. Stainless steel counter tops are often used in exterior applications and upon customer request. After the counter top is constructed then the currency tray must be either cut in or placed on top of the counter to allow money to pass between customers and employees. Most of our currency trays are recessed in to the counter top. Next comes the framing for the transaction window. Attached to the counter top is either a U channel bracket or 2 piece channel to secure the counter and window together along with pieces of 2 piece channel along the sides and top to hold the bullet proof glass in place.
Before the bullet proof glass is put in place the determination of what type of voice transmission needs to be decided. If you have chosen a baffle system, arched voice port or voice around then this is already decided; however other voice port systems are available such as the hole in backer, MK1 and MK2. Now that the counter top, frames and voice transmission system are chosen we move on the most important piece, the Bullet Proof Glass. Most transaction windows come with a level one bullet resistant 1 ¼” acrylic, however there are many other options for levels of protection. Bullet proof Glass Clad polycarbonate is available in transaction windows from bullet resistant levels 1-3 as well as polycarbonate materials. Level three LP1250 contains two 1/8th layers of polycarbonate sandwiched around an inch of bullet resistant acrylic. LP1250 offers great transparency along with a high level of protection.
There are many other transaction windows that are available such as bullet proof horizontal sliders and exterior transaction windows that can be installed in your place of business. For more information on transaction windows visit our products section of our website.
There was recently a story in the news that brought smiles to all of our faces here at Total Security Solutions. What was that story about you ask; the use of a bullet resistant barrier to detour a robber away from a bank in Florida. A burglar comically passed a note through the bullet resistant barrier and told the bank teller to “put your hands up”. The bank teller, standing behind a secure sound bullet resistant system, told the thief to “Kick Rocks”, for lack of better word.
Bullet Resistant Barriers
The would be robber was flustered and didn’t know what to do, so burglar took the honorable route (if that’s possible for a bank robber) and turned around then walked out the door. The lawbreaker was found a few hours later after being identified from a missing hubcap on the getaway vehicle. The crook didn’t put up any fight (just like in the bank) and admitted to the crimes immediately.
This just goes to show that bullet resistant systems can prevent crooks and robbers from turning violent in an environment that has a high volume of customers. Systems such as the secure sound bullet resistant system are available from Total Security Solutions to help employees and customers feel safer in a high risk environment.
For more information on systems like the secure sound system follow this link for all of your needs.
After more than six robberies in the past few years, a West Virginia bank branch is exploring new safety measures to prevent future robberies and protect both employees and customers. “Officials talked about possibly closing the lobby, or installing bullet proof glass at the teller line, or armed guards in the lobby, just to name a few.”
Banks researching the installation of bullet resistant barriers or bandit barriers have several options that can be retrofitted into their current facility. The Arch Window System is the most common bullet-resistant barrier, but the Baffle Window System offers unobstructed views and maximum voice transmission. Read more about available bullet-resistant barrier systems.
Read “Bank Officials Discuss Safety After At Least Six Bank Robberies,” http://www.statejournal.com.
After the planning and production processes are complete, we are ready to install your bullet-resistant barrier. Our accuracy in the initial phases makes for an efficient, mess-free installation.
Your bulletproof products will be carefully packaged and shipped to your facility by truck. Total Security Solutions can begin working shortly after your business closes for the evening or on Saturday so as to minimize the inconvenience to you and your customers. For many installations, we can be in and out within a single night. And we’ll have your facility cleaned up and ready for normal business hours.
Recently, Total Security Solutions launched a channel on YouTube.com to enable customers to watch the bullet resistant barrier installation process firsthand. Currently, we have featured installation videos for our Secure Sound Bulletproof Barrier System and our Vertical Slider.
Read more about our installation process or contact us at info@demandtss.com or 1-800-513-1468.
In the Handbook of Glass in Construction by Joseph S. Amstock, it states, “Large storefront glass windows at street levels are one of the best ways retailers [ . . . ] have to showcase their merchandise or services. But these areas are increasingly at risk, particularly from ’smash and grab’ vandalism.” It goes on to state that nearly 70 percent of reported burglaries involved forced entry through windows or doors.
The Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (MPCA) recently reported an increasing threat from “smash and grab” robberies for local convenience stores. The MPCA issued a list of security tips to help convenience stores prevent this type of robbery. To “help protect your employees and provide security for your property,” convenience stores should consider:
Read additional tips on protecting your convenience store from “smash and grab robberies.”
While Total Security Solutions is headquartered in Fowlerville, Michigan, we have a global reach completing bullet resistant barrier installations throughout the U.S., particularly in Florida and California. In fact, Total Security Solutions has been operating in California since 1979 with offices in both northern and southern California.
Our California offices provide the same sales and engineering support available in our main headquarters, but are conveniently located to provide onsite assistance. Total Security Solutions employs a full-time installation crew exclusively servicing the California market. Our crew is fully trained and proficient in meeting California building and earthquake requirements.
Total Security Solutions’ full lineup of bullet resistant products, from custom bulletproof glass barriers to quick ship products such as package passers and currency trays, are available to all businesses nationally.
If you are interested in learning more about our bullet resistant barrier installation capabilities in the California market, please contact us at 1-800-513-1468 or info@demandtss.com.
Image taken from bankofamerica.com.
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