Siper Glass Technical Content · October 30, 2026
Siper Glass Technical Content · October 30, 2026
An overview of the four standard families most often met in ballistic glazing, their scope, and the difference between a standard and a product certificate.
There is no single global standard for ballistic glass. EN 1063 is the common reference for building glazing in Europe, UL 752 and NIJ in the US, and STANAG 4569 for NATO land vehicles. Because each defines its own weapons, ammunition, firing conditions and acceptance criteria, levels cannot be mapped one to one.
Published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), EN 1063 tests and classifies the bullet resistance of security glazing. It defines classes BR1 to BR7 for handgun and rifle threats and SG1 and SG2 for shotguns. The NS suffix means no fragments from the rear face; S means fragments were released.
The NATO standardization agreement on occupant protection in logistic and light armoured vehicles. It defines protection levels 1 to 6 and treats kinetic energy threats, artillery fragments and grenade and mine threats separately. Test procedures are given in AEP-55.
Published by Underwriters Laboratories, UL 752 defines levels 1 to 10 for bullet-resisting equipment. It is common for architectural applications in the US market such as banks, public buildings and guard booths.
Standards from the US National Institute of Justice cover protective materials for law enforcement. NIJ 0108.01 levels (I, II-A, II, III-A, III, IV) for ballistic resistant protective materials were the long-standing reference; current levels and test threats are published in NIJ 0123.00.
A standard defines the test method and the classes. That a product meets a class is documented by an accredited laboratory testing a specific sample and configuration. In tenders and specifications, check the scope, date and tested configuration of the test report, not just the name of the standard.
BR1–BR7 cover handgun and rifle threats, SG1–SG2 shotgun threats. NS means no splinters from the rear face; S means splinters were released.
Protection of occupants of NATO logistic and light armoured vehicles, with levels 1–6 for kinetic energy, artillery fragment and mine/grenade threats. Test methods are in AEP-55.
No. A standard used as a design reference does not show that a product was tested to that level. The level is shown by an accredited laboratory test report or certificate.