Retrofitting Workplace Environments with Advanced Ballistic Protection

How Bullet Resistance Works

The objective in ballistic resistance to prevent the bullet from striking someone inside a protected space. When a bullet hits a BR panel, instead of going through, it gets caught in the panel’s layers. The material spreads the bullet’s energy over a larger surface, stopping the bullet or at least reducing its impact. Panels are tested under controlled conditions to meet specific performance levels.

The most common rating system is called UL 752, which has multiple protection levels. The higher the level, the stronger the material in terms of what it is equipped to stop. For example, Level 1 can stop handguns, whereas Level 8 can stop rifles.

Understanding Bullet Resistance: NIJ and UL Protection Levels

Bullet-resistant materials are tested to meet specific safety standards. NIJ (National Institute of Justice) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) are the most recognized. These standards help building owners understand how much protection a product offers.

The UL 752 standard measures protection against different types of firearms. Levels range from Level 1 (handguns) to Level 8 (military-grade rifles).

• Level 1 protects against small-caliber handguns like 9mm pistols.
• Level 3 is common in schools and offices for .44 Magnum handguns.
• Level 8 is used in high-threat spaces like police stations and government buildings.

These ratings help match the right product to the building’s threat level. The NIJ rating system is mostly used for body armor and law enforcement gear. However, some manufacturers also refer to NIJ levels when describing protective materials.

Both NIJ and UL offer similar concepts—higher numbers mean more protection. Knowing your risk level helps you choose the correct standard for your space. Security professionals or manufacturers can help determine what level your facility needs.

ASTM and Other Security Testing Standards

ASTM stands for the American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM provides testing guidelines for materials used in construction, safety, and security. ASTM standards apply to forced-entry resistance, impact strength, and glass breakage prevention.

Some bullet-resistant materials are also tested under ASTM F1233 for glazing system performance.

Other tests evaluate how long a product can resist attacks from tools or blunt force. These are important for preventing burglary and smash-and-grab robberies. In high-traffic areas, impact resistance can be just as important as stopping bullets.

Manufacturers also design products to meet each state’s building codes and safety regulations. Using products tested to ASTM or UL standards ensures quality and compliance. This is especially critical in schools, hospitals, and public buildings with strict regulations.

You can make smarter decisions about your security upgrades by understanding NIJ, UL, and ASTM standards.

Pros and Cons of Bullet-Resistant Wall Panels

DefenseLite® offers fiberglass bullet-resistant panels in different sizes and strengths. These BR Wall Panels are cost-effective and non-intrusive solutions, securing spaces without drawing attention to themselves.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Pros:
• Lightweight and strong
• Easier to install than steel
• Non-toxic and formaldehyde-free
• Non-ricocheting (absorbs bullets instead of bouncing them)
• Paint-ready or finished with whiteboard/tackboard
• Can be used behind walls or in furniture
• Easily cut to size
• Discreet and visually appealing
• Available in UL Levels 3 through 8

Cons:
• Not indestructible—just highly resistant
• Higher cost than standard materials
• Some models can be heavy
• Requires skilled installation for optimal results
• Doesn’t replace active security like alarms or locks

Bullet-resistant panels are just one solution to enhance building security. Depending on security needs, businesses may wish to invest in bullet-resistant doors or other glazing options.

Where Can You Use Bullet-Resistant Panels?

These panels and features are appearing in more places each year as the need for safer buildings continues to grow. By retrofitting workplace environments to ensure safety, employers can eliminate stress among their team members. Let’s explore where and why to install them.

Police Stations
Police departments face daily threats from unpredictable situations, making enhanced security extremely important. Find BR walls protecting critical places such as booking areas, holding cells, and interview rooms. They also preserve public-facing staff at reception counters.

Transaction windows with bulletproof glass are likewise becoming standard. These setups help protect staff without blocking communication.

Courtrooms and Government Buildings
Courtroom violence has been reported in multiple states. Some attackers have even brought weapons into court. BR walls, doors, and glass are being used to protect judges, clerks, and juries. Windows at clerk counters often include BR deal trays. These let people pass documents safely without direct contact. Public entrances are being upgraded with bullet-resistant lobbies. Government buildings now require hidden protection in sensitive areas.

Real-world example:
In June 2019, the Earle Cabell Federal Building in Dallas, Texas, was the site of an attempted shooting. A 22-year-old gunman, Brian Isaack Clyde, dressed in tactical gear and armed with an AR-15 style rifle, opened fire outside the courthouse. He carried more than 150 rounds of ammunition. Federal Protective Service officers stationed at the building responded immediately, engaging Clyde in a gunfight.

During the exchange, Clyde was shot and killed by law enforcement officers. The swift response of the Federal Protective Service officers prevented Clyde from entering the courthouse and causing further harm.

The bullet-resistant glass at the entrance sustained damage, but no officers or civilians were injured in the incident, save a superficial injury that occurred while an individual took cover.

This incident underscores the critical role of bullet-resistant materials in enhancing security at federal facilities. The reinforced glass at the Earle Cabell Federal Building served as a vital barrier, protecting occupants and preventing the assailant from gaining entry.

Hospitals and Clinics
Violence in healthcare settings is rising, as we have seen firsthand in the killing of Brian Thompson. Front desk staff, nurses, and pharmacists are at risk. Bullet-resistant transaction windows work well in check-in and pharmacy areas.

These panels allow face-to-face service without fear. Materials can be finished with wood, laminate, or whiteboard surfaces. This keeps the facility clean and welcoming—not intimidating to patients and visitors.

Real-world example:
In June 2022, a tragic shooting occurred at the Saint Francis Hospital campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A gunman entered the Natalie Medical Building, killing four individuals, including two doctors, a receptionist, and a patient, before taking his own life. The assailant, identified as Michael Louis, reportedly targeted Dr. Preston Phillips due to ongoing pain following a recent surgery.

This devastating event underscored the vulnerabilities in hospital security, prompting medical facilities nationwide to reassess their safety protocols. Hospitals, traditionally designed as open and welcoming spaces, began implementing enhanced security measures to protect patients, staff, and visitors.

The Tulsa incident served as a catalyst for the healthcare industry to prioritize and invest in comprehensive security strategies to mitigate the risk of future violent incidents.

Schools and Campus Offices
Sadly, school shootings are all too common these days and have been since the devastating attack on Columbine High School in 1999. As incidents continue to escalate, many campuses have responded with more substantial safety plans.

Manufacturers are also responding, offering bullet-resistant paneling that provides classroom protection that blends effortlessly with décor. These options include whiteboards that swing 180 degrees to block doors or windows, wall panels hidden behind drywall or covered with tack boards, and reinforced doors and side windows. There are even compact solutions that can be easily stored but swiftly retrieved in emergencies.

Bullet-resistant school features include:
• Whiteboards with BR cores
• Desks with panel protection
• Classroom doors rated UL Level 3
• Office transaction windows with BR glass
• Administration counters with BR countertops

Political Offices and Campus Government
Political offices—especially those on college campuses—face growing threats. These spaces often serve as debate hubs, protest points, and rally locations. Installing bullet-resistant doors and walls helps secure them without changing the space’s function.

For instance, reception desks can be retrofitted with fiberglass panels, while BR transaction windows maintain open communication and protect staff. These features are discreet but powerful security tools.

Offices and Reception Areas
Office place shootings have been common for nearly forty years, made mainstream by the 1986 Edmond Post Office Shooting that coined the unfortunate phrase “going postal.” With increased occurrences of mass firearm violence occurring across the board, many businesses need secure reception zones.

Solutions such as BR windows allow communication with walk-in visitors while protecting staff. This is useful in law offices, HR departments, and healthcare providers.

Fiberglass panels can be added to:
• Conference room walls
• Internal doors
• Office furniture
• Workstations

Even stylish barn doors can now include bullet-resistant cores.

Retail Stores and Checkpoints
Retail locations like jewelry stores and cannabis shops are high-theft targets. Smash and grab thefts, as well as organized retail crime, are on the rise. Retrofit panels protect display cases and counters.

Security glass slows or stops intruders during theft attempts. Many stores add bullet-resistant transaction windows at checkout counters. This helps staff stay safe during robberies.

Real-world example:
In Los Angeles and other major U.S. cities, retailers have faced a surge in daytime smash-and-grab thefts. These instances see organized groups enter stores en masse and steal high-value merchandise within minutes. In one 2021 incident, a group of at least 18 people ransacked a Nordstrom in the city’s Grove shopping area, making off with thousands of dollars in goods before police arrived.

Retailers began reinforcing their spaces with bullet-resistant display cases, secure counters, and impact-resistant window glazing to delay or stop intruders. These features didn’t just prevent forced entry—they also protected staff during violent or aggressive robbery attempts.

Storefronts that added reinforced materials reported reduced losses, as thieves were either slowed down or deterred entirely. This trend reflects a growing reliance on layered, passive security measures in high-risk retail environments.

Homes and Safe Rooms

Homeowners are also turning to BR panels for enhanced security where everyone should feel the most protected. Some build panic rooms with reinforced walls, doors, and ventilation points. Others retrofit basements or bedrooms with BR drywall.

Panels can be added behind paint or wallpaper to seamlessly integrate with the surroundings. Similarly, doors can be finished in wood grain or barn door styles. They blend with your decor while providing serious protection.

Retrofitting Workplace EnvironmentsWhat are Bullet-Resistant Transaction Windows?

Transaction windows allow people to speak and pass documents safely. They are often used in courts, pharmacies, and police departments. To blend in with the aesthetic, these panels are available in wood or aluminum frames. They include UL-rated glass and, depending on the need, optional bullet-resistant deal trays.

Countertops can be bullet-resistant too. Some models include ADA-accessible trays and voice-activated speak-throughs.

Retrofitting Desks and Furniture

There are options beyond walls and panels as well for enhanced security. Entire desks and other pieces of furniture can be retrofitted using cut-to-size BR panels. These panels are added to the desk face or sides. Retrofits are fast, discreet, and cost-effective.

Ideal for:
• Reception desks
• Hospital stations
• School administrator desks
• Government counters
• Political offices

Why Retrofitting Makes Sense
Completely rebuilding a wall, desk, or entryway can be expensive. It also usually means shutting down part of your building for days or even weeks. You’ll need construction crews, permits, inspections, and a larger budget. As such, rebuilds are not always practical for schools, clinics, offices, or government buildings that operate daily.

Retrofitting is a much simpler solution. It adds bullet-resistant protection to your existing walls, windows, counters, or furniture. You don’t have to tear everything down and rebuild from scratch. Instead, bullet-resistant panels are custom-measured and cut to fit your space. They’re shipped ready to install, which saves time and reduces mess.

Most retrofits can be handled by local contractors or your facility’s maintenance team. This makes installation faster and far less disruptive to your operations. In this way, security can sometimes be improved over a weekend—or even overnight. Retrofitting also keeps your building looking the same. You can paint over panels or finish them with laminate, whiteboard, or woodgrain.

It’s also easier to control costs. You can upgrade one area at a time based on priority or risk level. For example, some schools start by retrofitting main entryways and front desks first. Then, they move to classrooms and administrative offices. Government buildings may begin with courtrooms or public-facing counters before expanding further.

The key benefit of retrofitting is flexibility. You get effective protection customized to your layout without significant construction downtime. It’s a smart way to increase safety without stretching your resources thin.

And when protecting lives, even minor upgrades can make a big difference.

Choosing the Right Protection Level
Not every space needs Level 8 protection. Think about your building’s risks and budget. Schools usually choose Level 3. Police stations might need Level 8 in holding cells. Reception areas often use Level 1 or Level 3.

A security professional can help you decide what fits your needs.

Security Solutions from Impact Security
As threats to public and commercial spaces escalate, facilities need smarter, more flexible ways to protect people and property. From school offices and hospital reception areas to retail storefronts and courtrooms, bullet-resistant retrofits offer essential protection without requiring full-scale reconstruction.

Impact Security specializes in advanced retrofit technologies designed to reinforce a building’s most vulnerable entry points. The company manufactures BulletShield™ and DefenseLite® Pro—two of the industry’s leading ballistic- and forced-entry-resistant glazing systems. Both systems are tested to meet UL 752 standards and are widely used in schools, healthcare facilities, law enforcement offices, retail spaces, and more.

Facilities of all types can benefit from bullet-resistant retrofits that slow intruders and give occupants time to take shelter or escape. These systems also support law enforcement response times and improve the odds of a safe outcome.

With BulletShield and DefenseLite Pro, organizations can enhance safety without costly rebuilds or new construction. Impact Security’s solutions provide a cost-effective defense strategy that protects both people and property without disrupting business or alarming customers.