Blast-Resistant Aluminum Window Systems
Boyd Aluminum manufactures blast-resistant aluminum window systems for commercial, institutional, government, DoD, GSA, and anti-terrorism/force-protection projects. Blast-rated projects require window systems tested for defined protection levels, project criteria, glazing requirements, anchorage conditions, and applicable facility standards.
Boyd offers blast-resistant window systems with Certified Level 1 and Certified Level 2 options, depending on the selected series, configuration, glazing, and project requirements. Boyd can help project teams review product options, test information, specifications, and documentation for blast-mitigation work.
Boyd's blast-window experience supports architects, contractors, owners, and project teams working through high-security commercial, institutional, and government building requirements.
If your building project involves blast-rated windows, Boyd's Blast product specialists can help review your design requirements and identify appropriate blast-resistant window options for the application.
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What Are Blast-Resistant Window Systems?
Blast-resistant window systems are designed and tested to help manage hazards from explosive events by evaluating how glazing, frames, anchorage, and system configurations perform under defined blast conditions. Project requirements can vary based on facility type, threat criteria, opening size, glazing makeup, installation conditions, and applicable standards.
For government, institutional, military, and high-security commercial projects, blast-window selection may involve DoD, GSA, UFC, ISC, AAMA, or Anti-Terrorism/ Force Protection criteria. Boyd helps project teams review available system options and supporting information for the required application.
Blast Resistant Window Systems
Boyd offers a wide selection of blast-resistant aluminum window systems. Product selection depends on the required protection level, performance rating, window type, glazing requirements, project specifications, and installation conditions. Select a series below to review available system options or request CAD details, drawings, and architectural specifications for your project.
- Series 2300 — project-out, high-performance blast windows; available with AW-PG80 AAMA rating.
- Series 2400 (PO) — project-out, casement blast windows engineered for harsh weather; True, Interior, and Historical muntins; available with AW-PG100 AAMA rating.
- Series 2400 (PI) — project-in blast windows engineered for harsh weather; True, Interior, and Historical muntins; AW-PG100 AAMA rating.
- Series 950 — sliding blast windows; thermal-break constructed; two tandem adjustable rollers; Interior and Historical muntins; AW-PG80 AAMA rating.
- Series 600 — durable, smooth-sliding blast windows; numerous application capabilities; Interior muntins; LC-PG40 AAMA rating.
- Series 3000 — single-hung blast-resistant windows; 4" system depth; True, Interior, and Historical muntins; AW-PG70 AAMA rating.
- Series 300 — cost-competitive answer for new construction; 2.375" system depth; CW-PG35 AAMA rating.
- Series 3500 — double-hung blast-resistant windows; 4" system depth; True, Interior, and Historical muntins; AW-PG85 AAMA rating.
- Series 4100 — fixed blast-approved windows; 4" system depth; AW-PG90 AAMA rating.
- Series 4000 — fixed blast-approved windows; 4" system depth; AW-PG100 AAMA rating.
- Series 2200 — durable blast window system; 2.375" system depth; thermal barrier protection; AW-PG100 AAMA windows rating.
DoD, GSA, UFC and Blast Window Standards
Blast-rated window projects may involve standards and criteria such as GSA-TS01-2003, UFC 4-010-01, DoD requirements, GSA requirements, ISC Performance Conditions, and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection criteria. Requirements vary by project, authority, opening size, glazing, anchorage, and system configuration.
As an AAMA Blast Task Force Committee Member and AAMA Blast Education leader, Boyd helps project teams understand current blast-window requirements, available product options, performance documentation, and specification considerations for blast-resistant window applications.
What Do Blast Protection Levels Mean?
Blast protection levels describe how a tested window system performs under defined blast conditions. In general, lower-numbered levels indicate greater protection and lower hazard conditions. Final system selection should be reviewed against the project-specific blast criteria, opening requirements, glazing makeup, installation conditions, and applicable standards.
Boyd offers selected blast-resistant window systems with Certified Level 1 and Certified Level 2 options. Availability depends on the selected series, configuration, glazing, and project requirements.
Blast Protection Level Reference
The following examples describe common GSA/ISC Performance Condition outcomes used to communicate blast protection levels:
- Level 1 Blast Protection — safe; no hazard; glazing does not break. No visible damage to glazing or frame.
- Level 2 Blast Protection — very high protection; no hazard; glazing cracks but is retained by the frame. Dusting or very small fragments near the sill or on the floor are acceptable.
- Level 3A Blast Protection — high protection and very low hazard level; glazing cracks. Fragments enter the space and land on the floor no farther than 3.3' from the window.
- Level 3B Blast Protection — high protection and low hazard level; glazing cracks. Fragments enter the space and land on the floor no farther than 10' from the window.
- Level 4 Blast Protection — medium protection and medium hazard level; glazing cracks. Fragments enter the space and land on the floor and impact a vertical witness panel at a distance of no more than 10' from the window at a height no greater than 2' above the floor.
- Level 5 Blast Protection — low protection and high hazard level; glazing cracks and the window system fails catastrophically. Fragments enter the space and impact a vertical witness panel at a distance of no more than 10' from the window at a height greater than 2' above the floor.
Blast Window Testing Examples
The following blast testing videos demonstrate how different GSA/ISC performance conditions may appear under defined test conditions.
Level 1 Blast Protection — safe; no hazard; glazing does not break. No visible damage to glazing or frame.
Level 2 Blast Protection — very high protection; no hazard; glazing cracks but is retained by the frame. Dusting or very small fragments near the sill or on the floor are acceptable.
Level 4 Blast Protection — medium protection and medium hazard level; glazing cracks. Fragments enter the space and land on the floor and impact a vertical witness panel at a distance of no more than 10' from the window at a height no greater than 2' above the floor.
Level 5 Blast Protection — low protection and high hazard level; glazing cracks and the window system fails catastrophically. Fragments enter the space and impact a vertical witness panel at a distance of no more than 10' from the window at a height greater than 2' above the floor.
Ready to review Certified Level 1 or Certified Level 2 blast-resistant window options for your project? Contact Boyd for bid support, product guidance, CAD details, drawings, specifications, and Direct Assistance™ project help.