Bullet-resistant security:protecting people first and foremost
In response to the rising risks associated with terrorism, conflicts, and societal polarization, protection against ballistic threats has become a priority for institutional buildings (governments, embassies, etc.), strategic sites (Defense, Law Enforcement, etc.), and industries that could pose a danger to the population if they were to fall into the wrong hands.
Whether it’s safeguarding deployed personnel, securing sensitive areas, or preventing targeted attacks, the installation of certified bullet-resistant doors, partitions, security counters, and glazing provides an essential solution.
The European standards EN 1522-1523 and EN 1063 define the ballistic resistance of security structures and glazing. These standards are validated through tests conducted in specialized laboratories such as ERM (Royal Military Academy – Belgium) and BNE (National Proof House – France), ensuring a level of protection that has been rigorously tested and approved.
Discover how to implement reliable and certified ballistic protection, tailored to the specific needs of end clients, general contractors, and architects.
The European standards governing bullet-resistant joinery
1. EN 1522-1523 Standard: Testing of bullet-resistant structures
The EN 1522-1523 standard defines the ballistic resistance requirements for doors, windows, partitions, and armored guard booths. It classifies tested elements into seven resistance levels (FB1 to FB7) based on the caliber of the weapons used.
| Class (EN 1522-1523) | Example of weapon | Equivalence EN 1063(Bullet-resistant glazing) |
|---|---|---|
|
FB1 |
Carabine .22 LR |
BR1 |
|
FB2 |
Pistol 9 mm |
BR2 |
|
FB3 |
Revolver .357 Magnum |
BR3 |
|
FB4 |
Revolver .44 Magnum |
BR4 |
|
FB5 |
Assault rifle 5.56 mm |
BR5 |
|
FB6 |
Assault rifle 7.62 mm |
BR6 |
|
FB7 |
Assault rifle 7.62 mm steel core |
BR7 |
Laboratory tests conducted under EN 1523 involve firing live ammunition at the tested element to verify its ability to absorb the impact without perforation.
Kalachnikovs or AK47
There are also other so-called “open” classes. These classes include ammunition and calibers that are less common in Europe. The most infamous of these is the Kalashnikov class, named after this weapon that is officially considered uncommon due to limited legal sales in Europe but is, in reality, frequently used in armed robberies and terrorist attacks.
In terms of penetration power, this class falls between the closed classes FB4 and FB5.
2. EN 1063 standard: résistance balistique des vitrages
The EN 1063 standard evaluates the performance of bullet-resistant glazing, whether transparent, opaque, or multi-layered. Like structural elements, glazing is classified into several levels:
- BR1 to BR7: Resistance to handguns and assault rifles.
- SG1 and SG2: Protection against shotgun ammunition.
Glazing of class BR6 or BR7 is preferred for government buildings, data centers, and strategic infrastructure, providing advanced protection against military-grade weapons.
Download our guides on bullet-resistant security
DOIC P011 | Burglary resistance (EN 1627-1630) and bullet-proof (EN 1522-1523) classification
DOIC P011 | Burglary resistance (EN 1627-1630) and bullet-proof (EN 1522-1523) classification
DOIC P020 | Bullet-proof information
DOIC P020 | Bullet-proof information
DOBK 0002 | Panic Room Leaflet
DOBK 0002 | Panic Room Leaflet
Ballistic threats: Understanding the risks in each sector to better anticipate them
Government and diplomatic buildings
Type of concerned establishments:
- Ministries and government buildings
- Embassies and consulates
- Police stations and gendarmerie posts
Main threats:
- Targeted armed attacks against state representatives or diplomatic personnel
- Attempts of violent intrusion by criminal or terrorist groups
- Riots and urban violence endangering law enforcement
Security solutions:
- Bullet-resistant doors and frames FB4 to FB7
- Armored partitions with bullet-resistant counters
- Secure guard booths for outdoor control posts
Protective glazing BR4 to BR7 (EN 1063)
Prison & judicial infrastructures
Type of concerned establishments:
- Prisons and detention centers
- Courthouses and secure courtrooms
- Administrative detention centers
Main threats:
- Violent escapes involving firearms
- Attacks to free criminals
- Targeted murder or assassination attempts against judges, lawyers, or protected witnesses
Security solutions:
- Burglar-resistant and bullet-resistant doors FB5 to FB7
- Prison joinery, barred, solid, or glazed
- Bullet-resistant partitions and armored airlocks
Banks, jewelry stores, and high-value businesses
Type of concerned establishments:
- Bank branches and vaults
- Jewelry stores and luxury shops
- Currency exchange offices and cash transport
Main threats:
- Armed robberies with handguns or rifles
- Attempts of violent break-ins targeting value storage areas
- Threats against staff and customers during an attack
Security solutions:
- Burglar-resistant and bullet-resistant doors FB4 to FB7
Armored counters and airlocks against break-in attempts and ballistic attacks - Vaults EN 1143-1
Law enforcement, military, and state security
Type of concerned establishments:
- Police stations and precincts
- Barracks and military infrastructure
- State Security and intelligence service buildings
- Command centers and crisis rooms
- Seizure storage areas, weapons, and ammunition depots
Main threats:
- Targeted armed attacks against law enforcement or military personnel
- Attempted attacks and violent intrusions into sensitive facilities
- Risks of espionage and infiltration in command centers and military bases
- Terrorist assaults targeting strategic defense infrastructure
Security solutions:
- Bullet-resistant doors and windows FB5 to FB7 to withstand assault rifles and armor-piercing ammunition
- Armored guard posts and booths for surveillance and access control
- TEMPEST rooms and Faraday cages for protection against eavesdropping
- Ballistic partitions for safeguarding command and briefing rooms
- Protective glazing BR5 to BR7 for reception counters and control stations
High-end private residences & public figures
Type of concerned establishments:
- Villas and residences of high-profile individuals (politicians, business leaders, celebrities)
- Secured apartments in luxury buildings
- Private estates with enhanced surveillance
Main threats:
- Attempts of armed burglary or targeted assaults
- Criminal intrusions into the homes of high-profile individuals
- Attacks targeting public figures or VIPs
Security solutions:
- Bullet-resistant doors and windows FB4 to FB6
- Armored partitions and reinforced access control systems
- Panic Rooms Bunkerkit: secure confinement areas with armored airlocks
Healthcare facilities & sensitive laboratories
Type of concerned establishments:
- Hospitals and private clinics
- Pharmaceutical research laboratories
- Medication and vaccine production centers
Main threats:
- Terrorist or criminal threats targeting drug stocks or sensitive equipment.
- Protection of patients and staff in case of an armed attack.
- Securing access to critical areas (emergencies, isolation rooms, laboratories).
Security solutions:
- Bullet-resistant and fire-resistant doors EI60 – FB4
- Security counters with bullet-resistant glazing BR3 to BR5
- Secure confinement zones against violent intrusions
Transport & mobility infrastructure
Type of concerned establishments:
- Railway and metro stations
- Airports and control areas
- Port terminals and sensitive freight areas
Main threats:
- Attacks and shootings in high-traffic areas
- Armed intrusions in control areas
- Attacks targeting critical infrastructure (control tower, traffic management centers)
Security solutions:
- Bullet-resistant partitions and doors FB4 to FB6
- Secure guard booths for surveillance personnel
- Reinforced access airlocks in sensitive areas
Industrial sites & strategic data centers
Type of concerned establishments:
- Sensitive manufacturing plants and production infrastructures
- Data centers and strategic information storage centers
- Petrochemical facilities and nuclear sites
Main threats:
- Sabotage and targeted attacks to disrupt critical infrastructure.
- Industrial espionage and theft of sensitive data.
- Violent intrusions by armed groups.
Security solutions:
- Armored partitions and doors FB6 and FB7
- Bullet-resistant glazing with BR5+ protection
Secure surveillance posts for access control
