School Security: Codes, Films and Industry FAQs
School security remains a crucial conversation in the glazing industry, and was the focus of the National Glass Association’s April Thirsty Thursday webinar “Fenestration Assemblies for School Building Security.” In a tragic reminder of how important building products are for safety, during the live webinar participants got word of an active-shooter situation at Florida State University, which resulted in two deaths and five injuries.
NGA remains committed to advocating for school security glazing system requirements in State and Federal legislation, and has named the expansion of school security a top advocacy priority for 2025. There are currently no requirements for security glazing in educational occupancies in the International Building Code (IBC).
The webinar, which was presented by Thom Zaremba, NGA code consultant, and Lisa Winckler, technical/advocacy consultant with International Window Film Association, focused on the current state of school security, proposed code changes to mandate greater security for children and teachers, and clarified the limited role film can play in security glazing systems.
To learn the answers to security glazing FAQs, watch the full webinar.
NGA and GICC partner to propose code changes to incorporate security glazing
In 2022, NGA assisted in the development of a new ASTM standard, ASTM F3561 “Standard Test Method for Forced-Entry-Resistance of Fenestration Systems After Simulated Active Shooter Attack.” The standard outlines testing methods for forced-entry resistance of glazing assemblies or systems, but not of the glass alone.
Standards provide guidance, but are still voluntary. Zaremba outlined the work that NGA and GICC have been doing to make ASTM F3561 become a mandated standard in the building codes. The proposal submitted by GICC, G88-25, asked for changes to be made to Section 305.1 of the International Building Code, and would require more secure building systems be used for the main entrance, classrooms and door and window access areas in the exterior walls of school buildings. Materials used would have to be tested to the ASTM F3561-23 standard.
The proposed changes would also require that the decision to further increase protections of entrance areas be given to a registered design professional who can provide a risk assessment of the individual school and its vulnerabilities.
While the proposal was not accepted at the most recent IBC code hearings in Orlando, NGA remains committed to greater enforcement of tested, secure glazing products in buildings. In October 2025, the ICC Committee will reconvene in Cleveland, Ohio, to reconsider comments and modifications to the proposals.
An Update on International Building Code Proposal, G88-25
The International Code Council (ICC) Group B Committee Action Hearings were held in Orlando, Florida, in May. The Glazing Industry Code Council (GICC) was there for all nine days representing the glass industry. GICC submitted a two-part proposal, G88-25 to enhance the security of glazed entries into school buildings from armed assaults. Part II proposed changing the scope of the Building Code to include not only “egress” but “entry” as well. This part of the proposal was approved by the Administrative Committee.
However, the General Committee disapproved Part I of the proposal to add requirements for using forced-entry-resistant glazing in school buildings tested according to ASTM F3561 “Standard Test Method for Forced-Entry-Resistance of Fenestration Systems After Simulated Active Shooter Attack.”
GICC will discuss potential modifications to this proposal based on feedback from participants at the hearing. In October 2025, the ICC Committee will reconvene in Cleveland, Ohio, to reconsider comments and modifications to the proposals.
Learn more about participation in GICC to influence the model building codes: Glazing Industry Code Committee.
Window film’s role in security applications is limited
Lisa Winckler, technical/advocacy consultant with International Window Film Association also provided some clarification during the webinar regarding the role of window films. Winckler reiterated the position of the IWFA, which is that while safety and security window films can be used as a spall shield on security glazing—meaning, the film can prevent fragments of glass caused by a bullet’s impact from becoming flying debris—the film by itself does not offer bullet-resistance or forced-entry resistance.
“It’s not film is good, or film is bad,” says Winckler, but rather a matter of using film in an appropriate way. Some window films can be used to hide certain areas or rooms from view, she said, which could provide added safety in the case of forced-entry or an active shooter by blocking their sight lines into certain rooms or spaces. Learn more about window film's role in safety by watching the webinar.