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
Cut and finished an opening in the wall to accept the unit size. The opening should be ¼” wider and taller than the size of the ordered unit.
Place the pre framed window in the opening, shim as necessary, assuring that the item is level and in the correct position desired. Attach the sides to the existing wall with the provided screws (use anchors if the wall is masonry).
Apply trim, molding that can be obtained locally, around the window and your project is finished.
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.
Bulletproof glass recently protected observers at the Bots IQ 2010 National Competition, a robot battle royale in Miami. Mega powerful machines built by engineering students shredded, rammed and laid waste to one another throughout the competition to crown the toughest robot.
As the robots spun at bone crushing 2,500 rotations per minute and rammed each other with razor sharp fenders, observers were safely protected from flying debris, including glass, metal and other hazards, by bulletproof glass.
More than 500 individuals stayed safe behind the glass while 67 teams of high school and middle school students battled it out, robot style.
Bullet Proof Transaction Windows are the most common item of protection when it comes to bullet resistant products. At a glance they seem very simple; it’s just a piece of bullet resistant acrylic and some frames right? In theory that would be a good analogy but in actuality there are a lot of components that go in to engineering and ultimately building a transaction window. Depending on if you’re looking at a Baffle System, an Arched Voice Port or a Hole in Backer System the amount of work that goes in to each transaction window to make it secure is anything but simple.
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.
Bullet resistant fiberglass from Total Security Solutions
Bullet resistant fiberglass is somewhat of an afterthought to crooks and robbers. It’s normally well hidden underneath drywall or underneath a countertop; but there are many more uses for bullet resistant fiberglass then someone might think…
In the home: Just about anyone has something priceless that they would be devastated about if it were stolen; working like a safe room area bullet resistant fiberglass can do that. The fiberglass sheets can be constructed in to a room very similar to drywall to secure valuables and also keep your family safe from intruders in the case of a burglary.
At the workplace: There is a security risk at any job. Some (such as bank tellers) have a higher risk of being robbed at gun point then others. One way to keep employees and yourself secure is to line the transaction areas in bullet resistant fiberglass. It is not only a deterrent for burglars but also helps prevent total vandalism. The fiberglass panels are solid as a rock and are practically unbreakable, unlike drywall.
In the community: Schools, police departments and fire departments are also unfortunately at very high risk for criminal activity. In community locations such as these security is one of the first things that should be taken in to consideration. While there is no way to stop all violent crimes in these sectors, there is a way to prevent some of the very violent ones from happening with some added security. Fiberglass panels (along with other security measures) will show to a would be gunmen or disgruntled person that the community is serious about protecting its own.
Banks: The last (and most obvious) spot that needs added security is a bank. In a lot of cases there are entire walls, counters and rooms lined with bullet resistant fiberglass panels. Banks also tend to place bullet resistant barriers around their teller lines to protect the tellers from threats. The owners of the banks aren’t trying to save their money, which can be replaced. What can’t be replaced are the lives of the employees and customers at the bank. No insurance company can fix what happens after a robbery gone wrong. This is why many banks line as much of the area as they can to help protect their employees and customers from devastating things happening to them.
Bullet Resistant fiberglass can come in many sizes, levels of protection and can custom made for customers as well. Below are our levels of protection listed with the standard sizes of the sheet that they come in.
Level I (9mm) Level II (.357) Level III (.44 Mag)
3′ x 8′, 3′ x 9′, 3′ x 10′ 3′ x 8′, 3′ x 9′, 3′ x 10′ 3′ x 8′, 3′ x 9′
4′ x 8′, 4′ x 9′, 4′ x 10′ 4′ x 8′, 4′ x 9′, 4′ x 10′ 3′ x 10′, 4′ x 8′
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.”
A little smarts and a bullet-proof barrier prevented a robbery at a Mobile Gas Station in Tamba Bay, Florida. After one robber unsuccessfully attempted to open the cash register of the convenience store, a second robber brought the clerk at gunpoint from the cooler to open it for them.
“Ahmad told the robbers they had to step away so he could close the door to the enclosure around the register or the drawer would not open. When they stepped outside, he shut the door and locked it, putting himself behind the bullet-proof glass, police said.”
Recently, Total Security Solutions renamed its “Resources and Planning Tools” section to “Architect Resources” and added downloadable CAD drawings, as well as PDFs, of each of its bulletproof products. Each CAD drawing provides typical details, including plans, elevations, and sections for products, such as our Arch Window System, Ballistic Counters, and Interior Transaction Window. You can also easily access data sheets, which provide product-related details such as features, available sizes, and finish options, for many of our bullet-resistant products.
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.
Last week, an Illinois inmate attempted to escape from custody at a local courthouse. After being trapped in a skyway, the inmate tried to jump through the bullet-resistant glass smacking his head and enabling police officers to secure him in handcuffs.
With more than three decades manufacturing bulletproof security systems, Total Security Solutions is the industry leader for custom bullet resistant barriers that meet your bulletproof security needs on-time, on-budget, and expertly finished.
Entries (RSS)