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Clarifying WSVN-TV’s “Carmel on the Case” Report on Window Film
Pompano, Florida, September 14, 2005
On August 24th, Channel 7 News (WSVN-TV) in Miami aired a special report on window film that is concerning some local homeowners. The intention of the segment, “Carmel on the Case” was to alarm homeowners into believing safety window film is not adequate protection in case of a hurricane, however in most cases it is.
Bekaert acknowledges that safety film would not protect homeowners if the building envelope were breached through the garage or roof, or during a worst-case storm scenario. Safety film is an optically clear, polyester-based product that is retrofit to the interior surfaces of windows and glass doors, bonded with an ultra-strong adhesive. The purpose of safety film is to provide a significant level of protection during most storms. It helps hold glass in place upon impact and can sustain heavy wind load when the proper film and attachment methods are implemented. Safety film also complements other hurricane protection products, such as storm shutters, panels and plywood and affords viable protection when homeowners are not able to install these devices.
For optimum storm protection Bekaert recommends two vital things: 1) having the right product installed properly to meet the needs of the homeowner and 2) allowing the right amount of time for bonding.
- The suggested product for this level of protection is a film of 8 Mil (.008 inches) thickness that is finished with an anchoring system, a caulk-like substance that is professionally applied to adhere the film to the frame. This combination of film and anchoring helps keep the glass secure after impact. The additional anchoring system is highly recommended for sliding glass doors and homes located in high-risk areas.
- For Bekaert’s Armorcoat 8 Mil safety film to properly bond to the glass, a cure time of 30 days is recommended.
Testing Standards for Safety Film
Armorcoat safety film has been tested to the requirements of two of the most stringent construction codes, the Miami-Dade County Protocol PA 201 & PA 203 and the Southern Building Code Congress, International (SBCCI) SSTD 12-00, 90-100 MPH Wind Zone. These codes were influenced by the destruction caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Using Bekaert’s anchored Armorcoat 8 Mil safety film for all testing scenarios, the film met the large and small missile impact and cycling tests of Southern Building Code Congress test standards, and the small missile impact and cycling test of Miami-Dade County Protocol. The one Miami-Dade test not passed is its large missile impact test, which uses a 9-pound 2x4 being shot at 50 feet per second at a standard sliding glass door. It is very extreme and not feasible for any typical safety film installation to pass; however this is the one test that WSVN-TV featured.
Although safety film does not meet the criteria set by Miami-Dade’s large missile test, Armorcoat 8 Mil’s (anchored) performance during the test is of note. After the 9-pound 2x4 impacted the center and top corner of the specimen, it created a hole in the center the size of the 2x4 and it pushed out the top corner. Yet, the majority of the filmed glass stayed in the frame, and would have substantially lessened the intrusion of wind and water during a real storm. Bekaert publishes these testing details on its web site.
Television Demonstration vs. Actual Testing Results
WSVN-TV’s demonstration featured the Miami-Dade large missile test, the one test that no film product can pass. This demonstration used 8 Mil safety film installed on glass without an anchoring system in place. These testing criteria, missile weight and velocity combined with product thickness, bonding time and anchoring, are what make the television demonstration unrealistic. The reporting did not tell the whole story of safety film, the protection it provides and the test standards it meets. The story misleads many people to think safety film offers no protection.
Testing Details
For the Southern Building Code Congress’ large missile impact standard, Armorcoat held broken glass in its frame after a 4-pound 2x4 travelling at 40 feet per second impacted the center and side of the glass, and then subsequently withstood 90 – 100 mph wind. This test simulates the effect of large flying debris hitting glass during hurricane force winds and continued wind load. 8 Mil Armorcoat anchored helped keep the glass in the frame.
Small missile impact testing simulates the effect of roof gravel and other small debris being blown by hurricane force winds. For the Miami-Dade County Protocol test, Armorcoat held the glass in the frame as 10 2-gram ball bearings were fired at the window, and was then subjected to 160 mph winds. Armorcoat also met the standards of Southern Building Code Congress’ test, which fired 10 2-gram ball bearings followed by 130 mph winds. The glass was held in the frame by 8 Mil Armorcoat safety film and an attachment system.
Finally, Armorcoat was subjected to cyclic pressure testing, simulating 175-mph hurricane force winds. This is performed with the same glass samples after being subjected to the missile impact testing. Positive and negative pressure is applied at varying levels to determine whether the impacted glass with film will withstand severe storm winds. Armorcoat met the code standards of both Miami-Dade County Protocol and Southern Building Code Congress.
Passing these tests does prove that safety window film with an attachment system will offer a measure of glass breakage protection, for most storm scenarios. Keep in mind, Armorcoat safety film performance is dependent on the type of window unit, condition of the frame and glass type the product is installed on.
Significant Level Of Protection
Depending on the nature of the storm, applied safety film can afford significant protection for windows and glass doors, becoming the difference between an inexpensive window replacement and the very expensive replacement cost for furniture, carpets, wallboard and valuables due to water intrusion and airborne debris during a storm. Bekaert’s rule of thumb for homeowners is to obtain the most protection that they can afford.
For more information on Armorcoat or to view impact-testing clips, visit www.ArmorcoatFilms.com. If you still have additional questions based on the news coverage, please call a Bekaert representative at 800-282-9031.
Bekaert is the world leader in advanced metal transformation and advanced materials and coatings. Founded in 1880, today Bekaert has a global presence and is responsible for an extensive variety of household and industrial products. Bekaert is a leading manufacturer of window films for automotive, residential, commercial and government applications.
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