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Security glazing is an important consideration for businesses that handle cash, financial transactions and valuable equipment. Banks, forex bureaus, M-Pesa agents, SACCOs, jewellery businesses, pharmacies and other high-risk commercial premises may need stronger glazing than an ordinary office or shopfront.
However, choosing bulletproof glass Kenya should not start with thickness alone.
Security glass is tested and classified according to the type and level of threat it is designed to resist. The glass must also work as part of a complete security installation that includes the frame, transaction counter, doors, walls, fixings and surrounding structure.
For a bank counter, for example, specifying a particular glass grade without considering the frame can undermine the performance of the entire barrier.
This guide explains security-glass classifications, ballistic ratings, anti-burglary glazing, fixing considerations and how different commercial environments can approach security glazing.
Security glass is glazing engineered or constructed to provide increased resistance to impacts, forced entry, ballistic threats or other forms of attack. The appropriate type depends on the threat being addressed, because impact-resistant glass and bullet-resistant glass are not the same product.
Security glazing can include:
The important distinction is the threat level.
A shopfront that needs protection against smash-and-grab attacks does not necessarily require the same glass as a bank teller counter exposed to ballistic threats.
No. Security glass is a broad category, while bullet-resistant glass is specifically designed and tested for resistance to defined ballistic threats. A laminated security pane may resist forced entry without being classified as bullet-resistant.
This distinction matters when obtaining quotations.
A supplier may describe a product as:
These terms should not be treated as interchangeable.
For a financial institution, ask for the specific tested classification rather than relying on a generic description.
Bullet-resistant glazing is commonly classified under EN 1063 using BR1 through BR7 for specified handgun and rifle threats, with SG1 and SG2 covering specified shotgun tests. The classification comes from testing against defined ammunition, impact conditions and multiple strikes, not simply from the glass thickness.
The broad progression is:
The exact test conditions are defined by the classification standard.
This is why a supplier should not simply say:
"This is 30mm bulletproof glass."
The more useful question is:
"What tested classification does this glazing achieve?"
BR refers to the ballistic-resistance classification used for specified bullet-resistant glazing tests under EN 1063. A higher BR number represents a higher specified ballistic test level, but the rating must always be considered together with the complete glazing assembly and its installation.
The classification is based on testing.
For example, EN 1063's BR categories include progressively more demanding handgun and rifle tests. The testing involves defined ammunition, velocities and multiple strikes.
Therefore, BR ratings should be treated as test classifications, not universal guarantees against every weapon or attack.
BR1 to BR7 represent progressively higher ballistic-resistance test levels, with BR1 at the lower end and BR7 at the highest level within the BR handgun/rifle sequence. The appropriate class depends on the threat assessment rather than automatically selecting the highest available grade.
| EN 1063 Class | Broad test category | Typical commercial interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| BR1 | .22 LR | Lower ballistic threat |
| BR2 | 9mm handgun | Handgun protection |
| BR3 | .357 Magnum | Higher handgun threat |
| BR4 | .44 Magnum | High handgun threat |
| BR5 | 5.56 × 45 rifle | Rifle-level protection |
| BR6 | 7.62 × 51 rifle | Higher rifle-level protection |
| BR7 | 7.62 × 51 armour-piercing test | Very high ballistic requirement |
| SG1 | Shotgun | Defined shotgun test |
| SG2 | Shotgun | Higher defined shotgun test |
The table is a simplified guide.
It should not be used as a substitute for the actual standard or a security consultant's threat assessment.
The test classifications specify particular ammunition and conditions.
A bank's security glazing should be specified according to the security risk, transaction layout, location and applicable security requirements rather than by choosing a generic "thick glass" product. Where ballistic resistance is required, a tested BR-rated glazing system may be considered alongside a suitably engineered frame and counter.
A bank may have several different security zones:
Not every location necessarily requires the same glass.
For example, a teller transaction window may have a significantly different security requirement from an internal office partition.
The glass specification should therefore follow the risk assessment.
Bank teller counters may use laminated security glazing or tested ballistic-resistant glazing depending on the institution's security requirements. The final system should include the glass, frame, transaction opening, fixings and surrounding counter structure rather than treating the glass as an isolated component.
A typical teller arrangement may include:
The transaction opening itself deserves attention.
Installing very strong glass around a large unprotected opening does not create an effective security barrier.
The whole arrangement must be considered.
A forex bureau may require security glazing that provides both forced-entry resistance and, where identified by the risk assessment, ballistic protection. The correct specification depends on the bureau's location, cash exposure, transaction arrangement and overall security system.
Forex bureaus can have:
This makes the transaction interface particularly important.
Depending on the risk assessment, the glazing may need to address:
The frame and transaction opening should be specified together with the glass.
An M-Pesa agent may benefit from security glazing where cash handling, location and physical layout create a meaningful security risk. The appropriate specification could range from security laminated glass for forced-entry resistance to higher-rated ballistic glazing where a documented threat assessment justifies it.
Not every M-Pesa kiosk requires bullet-resistant glass.
A small enclosed agent in a low-risk environment may have different requirements from a high-cash-volume agent located in a vulnerable area.
Other security measures can include:
The glass should form part of a broader security strategy.
Security glass can be designed for several threats, including forced entry and impact, while bullet-resistant glass specifically addresses ballistic attack under a defined test classification. A business should identify its actual threat before paying for a higher security grade.
Consider two scenarios.
The attacker attempts to break the glass to gain access.
The priority may be:
The concern is firearm attack.
The glazing may require:
These are different security problems.
Laminated security glass consists of multiple glass layers bonded with an interlayer, which helps hold fragments together when the glass is damaged. Depending on its construction and testing, laminated glazing can provide improved resistance to impact and forced entry compared with ordinary monolithic glass.
The basic construction is:
Glass + interlayer + glass
More demanding security products may use:
The number of layers is only one part of the specification.
A supplier should identify the tested performance of the complete product.
Not necessarily. Thickness can contribute to performance, but security glazing is a system whose resistance depends on glass construction, interlayers, fabrication, framing and testing. A thicker pane without an appropriate tested classification should not automatically be described as more secure.
For example, two products could both be 20mm thick but have completely different constructions.
One might be:
The other might be:
Their performance should not be assumed to be equivalent.
This is why classification and test evidence are more useful than thickness alone.
BR2 and BR3 are different EN 1063 ballistic test classifications, with BR3 representing the higher specified handgun test level. The difference is determined by the defined test ammunition and conditions rather than simply by a stated glass thickness.
BR2 testing uses a defined 9mm handgun ammunition condition.
BR3 uses a defined .357 Magnum test.
The distinction is important for businesses selecting a security system because the appropriate grade should follow the identified threat.
BR4 is an EN 1063 ballistic classification associated with a defined .44 Magnum test. It is a higher handgun-focused classification than BR2 or BR3, but it should only be specified where the security assessment requires that level of performance.
A business should not automatically choose BR4 because it sounds safer.
Higher grades can mean:
The entire building system must be capable of supporting the glazing.
BR5, BR6 and BR7 are higher EN 1063 ballistic classes associated with defined rifle threats, with BR7 representing the highest BR rifle test level. These grades are specialist security products and should be selected only following a documented threat assessment and appropriate system design.
As the security requirement increases, the glazing can become significantly heavier.
This affects:
A high-security glass panel is therefore a construction-system decision.
Security-glass specifications can distinguish between spall-producing and non-spall-producing performance, commonly represented by S and NS classifications in EN 1063 terminology. For applications where protecting people behind the glazing is important, non-spall performance may be a critical requirement.
When a ballistic projectile strikes glass, the attack can create fragments.
Those fragments can potentially become a hazard on the protected side.
An NS, or non-spalling, specification addresses this aspect of the tested performance.
For a financial counter, the people behind the glass may be the very people the glazing is intended to protect.
Therefore, asking only:
"What BR grade is it?"
may not be enough.
The complete certification should be reviewed.
A security-glass panel cannot provide its tested performance if it is installed in an unsuitable frame. The frame, anchors, glass retention system and surrounding wall must be capable of transferring the relevant loads and maintaining the security barrier.
Imagine a high-rated security panel installed in a lightweight frame.
The glass might be extremely resistant.
But an attacker could potentially target the surrounding system instead.
Security therefore involves:
Glass + frame + fixings + wall + counter + openings
The weakest component can undermine the overall barrier.
Security glazing may use reinforced steel, aluminium or specially engineered framing systems depending on the required performance. The frame should be selected to accommodate the glass weight, thickness and tested security configuration.
Important frame characteristics can include:
For commercial installations, the frame should be specified together with the glazing.
Security glass must be securely retained within its frame or fixing system so that the glazing cannot simply be displaced from the opening. Proper fixing is particularly important for heavy multi-layer panels, where the glass weight and installation loads can be substantial.
The installer should consider:
A security glazing installation should not depend on silicone alone.
Sealants may assist with weatherproofing and finishing, but they should not replace appropriately designed mechanical retention.
Security glazing can sometimes be incorporated into an existing shopfront, but the existing frame must first be assessed for its ability to accommodate the new glass weight, thickness and fixing requirements. A replacement pane may require frame modification or complete replacement.
This is especially relevant when upgrading an ordinary shopfront.
A standard frame designed for a lightweight pane may not accommodate:
The frame rebate may be too shallow.
The anchors may also be inadequate.
A site assessment is therefore essential.
M-Pesa kiosks often need a practical balance between visibility, customer interaction and physical protection. Where a security window is required, the design should minimise unnecessary openings while allowing efficient transactions and integrating with the kiosk's door, counter and other security measures.
A useful design may include:
The objective is not to make the business inaccessible.
It is to control how customers and cash interact.
Forex bureaus benefit from security systems that separate customers from cash-handling areas while maintaining clear communication and visibility. Security glazing should be selected according to the bureau's assessed risks and integrated with secure doors, transaction openings and the surrounding wall.
Important considerations include:
The glass should support the business's operational workflow rather than obstruct it.
Banks typically require a coordinated security strategy rather than a single glass specification. Teller screens, doors, partitions, cash areas and public-facing glazing may have different requirements, so each security zone should be assessed separately.
A bank project may involve:
Focus on secure interaction between customers and staff.
Require stronger separation and controlled access.
May need security doors and access control rather than simply thicker glass.
May need visibility without unrestricted access.
Require careful consideration of visibility, vandalism and physical security.
The correct glass can vary between these areas.
SACCOs and microfinance offices handling cash can apply the same risk-based approach used by other financial businesses. The glazing specification should reflect the location, transaction design, cash exposure and desired level of forced-entry or ballistic resistance.
These businesses may require:
The system should be designed around the actual premises.
Attack-resistant glass is designed to resist physical attempts to penetrate or break through the glazing, with classifications such as EN 356 used for certain resistance-to-manual-attack applications. This is different from EN 1063 ballistic classification, which addresses bullet resistance.
EN 356 includes classifications such as:
The higher classifications represent progressively more demanding test conditions.
Some manufacturers combine attack-resistance and ballistic classifications in their security-glazing products.
This is useful when a business faces more than one type of threat.
EN 356 is associated with resistance to manual attack, while EN 1063 classifies bullet-resistant glazing against defined ballistic threats. A business requiring both forced-entry and ballistic protection may need a product tested against both relevant performance requirements.
| Classification | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| EN 356 | Resistance to manual attack |
| EN 1063 | Bullet resistance |
| BR1–BR7 | Defined handgun/rifle ballistic tests |
| SG1–SG2 | Defined shotgun tests |
| P1A–P5A | Lower attack-resistance sequence |
| P6B–P8B | Higher manual-attack resistance |
These classifications should not be confused.
A P8B product is not automatically a BR-rated product.
A BR-rated product is not automatically equivalent to every EN 356 attack-resistance class.
The supplier should state the relevant test results.
The following table is a practical reference for comparing security-glazing requirements, but the final product must be selected from tested specifications rather than from a generic thickness target.
| Application | Security objective | Possible glazing approach | Thickness | Wear Layer Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M-Pesa transaction window | Physical separation/forced-entry resistance | Laminated security glass | Project-specific | Not applicable |
| Forex bureau counter | Forced-entry and possible ballistic protection | Security laminated or ballistic glazing | Project-specific | Not applicable |
| Bank teller counter | Staff/customer protection | Tested security or ballistic glazing | Project-specific | Not applicable |
| SACCO cash counter | Physical protection | Laminated security glazing | Project-specific | Not applicable |
| High-risk financial counter | Ballistic protection | EN 1063-rated glazing | Project-specific | Not applicable |
| Shopfront security | Manual attack resistance | EN 356-type security glazing | Project-specific | Not applicable |
| Internal office partition | Visibility and separation | Toughened/laminated glass | Project-specific | Not applicable |
Important: Glass does not have a flooring-style wear-layer grade such as AC4 or AC5. Wear-layer terminology belongs primarily to products such as SPC and laminated flooring.
Multi-layer security glazing can be considerably heavier than ordinary architectural glass because several glass and interlayer components may be combined to achieve the required resistance. The building structure and frame must therefore be designed to carry the finished panel safely.
For a commercial project, weight affects:
This is particularly important for large teller windows.
A large panel can become difficult to handle even before its final installation.
Yes. High-security glazing should be installed according to the tested system's requirements, including appropriate frames, gaskets, setting arrangements, anchors and mechanical retention. Poor installation can compromise the performance expected from the glazing.
Installation should account for:
The attack face can be relevant for certain tested ballistic glazing products.
The installer should follow the manufacturer's specified orientation.
Some ballistic glazing products are designed with a designated attack face, meaning the glazing assembly has a specified orientation during installation. The manufacturer or test documentation should be followed so that the installed panel corresponds with its tested configuration.
This is particularly important for:
Never assume that a thick security pane can be installed either way around.
The product documentation should determine the orientation.
Security and laminated glazing should generally be fabricated to the required dimensions before installation, and ballistic products require particularly careful fabrication. Cutting, drilling or modifying a tested security panel on site can compromise its construction and invalidate its tested configuration.
Before fabrication, confirm:
This is especially important for bank counters.
A mistake in measurement can be expensive because a large security panel may not be easily modified after fabrication.
A professional quotation should state the glass construction, tested classification where applicable, thickness, dimensions, frame, hardware and installation requirements. A quotation that only says "bulletproof glass" without a classification or product specification is not sufficient for a serious commercial security project.
Ask for:
For high-security installations, documentation is especially important.
Security-glass pricing in Kenya varies substantially according to the required security level, glass construction, thickness, dimensions, frame system, hardware and installation. Ballistic glazing can cost considerably more than ordinary architectural or laminated glass because of its specialised construction and testing.
The main cost drivers include:
A higher tested classification generally requires a more complex construction.
Greater thickness can increase material and handling requirements.
Multiple layers and specialist interlayers add cost.
Large panels require more material and specialised handling.
A reinforced security frame can be a significant part of the project.
Heavy security glazing may require additional labour and equipment.
Specialist tested products may require documentation and certification.
For a reliable quotation, provide the opening dimensions and intended application.
The right security glass begins with a threat assessment, not a thickness target. Identify whether the main concern is forced entry, impact, ballistic attack or a combination, then select a tested glazing and frame system appropriate for that risk.
A practical selection process is:
Is it:
Consider:
Is the glass:
Where applicable, specify:
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