ISO 16935:2007

Overview

ISO 16935:2007 - Glass in building - Bullet‑resistant security glazing - Test and classification defines standardized test procedures and classification criteria to evaluate the resistance of glazing materials and products to ballistic impact. The standard covers attacks from handguns, machine pistols/submachine guns, rifles and shotguns for glazing used in buildings (interior and exterior) and classifies performance by weapon and ammunition. It assumes the glazing is adequately fixed and does not cover the glazing system, framing or surrounding structure.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope of testing: Applicable to glass, laminated glass and plastic glazing sheet materials (e.g., polycarbonate, acrylic) used in building glazing.
• Specimens: Test sample set = three specimens (plus one reserve); nominal specimen size (500 ± 5) mm square and identified attack face.
• Mounting and support: Rigid frame with continuous rubber strips (4 ± 0.5 mm thick, 30 ± 5 mm wide, hardness 50 ± 10 IRHD per ISO 48), clamping plate and minimum 25 mm edge cover.
• Test apparatus: Includes splinter‑collecting box, witness foil (0.02 mm aluminium at 500 ± 10 mm behind specimen), bullet/debris stop, velocity measuring equipment and ballistic firing equipment.
• Ballistic parameters: Weapons and ammunition selected per the standard’s tables; velocity measured ≤ 3 m in front of specimen with accuracy 1.0 m/s. Velocity tolerances typically ±10 m/s (some allowances ±15 m/s for multi‑shot tests).
• Environmental conditioning: Standard conditioning at (18 ± 5) °C; optional extreme‑temperature testing at −20 ± 3 °C or +40 ± 3 °C (Annex B). Natural weathering regimes may also be specified.
• Performance outcomes (spall categories):
  • S (Spall): No perforation of glazing, but witness foil perforated.
  • RS (Reduced Spall): No glazing perforation; loss of material from non‑attack side but no witness foil perforation.
  • NS (No Spall): No perforation and no loss of material / no witness foil perforation.
• Validity and classification: Tests are valid only if impact spacing and velocities meet specified tolerances; any perforation invalidates classification at the tested level.

Applications and users

ISO 16935 is used by:

• Manufacturers of security glazing and laminated products for product development and certification.
• Accredited ballistic test laboratories conducting standardized ballistic testing.
• Architects, security consultants and specifiers selecting glazing for banks, embassies, government buildings, retail outlets, cash handling areas, and high‑risk façades.
• Building owners and regulators requiring documented, comparable bullet‑resistance performance.

Related standards

• Normative reference: ISO 48 (rubber hardness testing) is cited for gasket/rubber strip specifications.
• Annexes in ISO 16935 provide additional guidance (open class testing, extreme temperatures, installation considerations, and protection of surrounding structure).

Keywords: ISO 16935, bullet-resistant glazing, security glazing, ballistic testing, glazing classification, glass in building, witness foil, splinter-collecting box.