 "Broken Glass Safety Risk")
Safety Window Film
Reduce the Risk of Injury from Broken Glass
Glass is widely used in modern homes and buildings because it allows natural light to flow through spaces and creates open architectural designs. When glass breaks, however, it can create sharp fragments that pose a serious risk of injury. Safety window films are designed to help hold shattered glass together, reducing the likelihood of dangerous shards falling or being projected into surrounding areas. When applied to existing glazing, the film acts as a fragment retention layer, helping keep the broken pane intact if the glass breaks.
These films are typically manufactured from high-tensile polyester with strong pressure-sensitive adhesives, creating a durable protective layer across the surface of the glass. Safety films are commonly installed in thicknesses ranging from 2 mil (approximately 50 microns) through to around 7 mil (approximately 175 microns) depending on the level of protection required. When correctly specified and installed, safety window film systems can assist with compliance with AS 2208 – Safety Glazing Materials in Buildings.
Safety window films are available in both optically clear and solar control finishes. Clear films are colourless, non-reflective and virtually undetectable on the glass once installed, allowing buildings to improve glazing safety while maintaining the natural appearance of the windows. Solar safety films are lightly shaded or reflective and can also provide additional benefits such as heat rejection, glare reduction and daytime privacy.
These films are commonly used in:
These films are typically manufactured from high-tensile polyester with strong pressure-sensitive adhesives, creating a durable protective layer across the surface of the glass. Safety films are commonly installed in thicknesses ranging from 2 mil (approximately 50 microns) through to around 7 mil (approximately 175 microns) depending on the level of protection required. When correctly specified and installed, safety window film systems can assist with compliance with AS 2208 – Safety Glazing Materials in Buildings.
Safety window films are available in both optically clear and solar control finishes. Clear films are colourless, non-reflective and virtually undetectable on the glass once installed, allowing buildings to improve glazing safety while maintaining the natural appearance of the windows. Solar safety films are lightly shaded or reflective and can also provide additional benefits such as heat rejection, glare reduction and daytime privacy.
These films are commonly used in:
Residential Homes
& Apartments
Offices & Commercial
Buildings
Retail Shopfronts
& Shopping Centres
Schools, Universities & Childcare Facilities
Healthcare Facilities & Hospitals
Government & Public Buildings
Hotels, Restaurants & Cafes
Industrial Buildings & Warehouses
Benefits at a glance
Glass Fragment Retention
Help hold shattered glass together after breakage
Injury Risk Reduction
Reduce the risk of injury caused by falling or flying glass fragments
Safety Glazing Compliance
Clear or Solar Control Options
Certain film and glazing combinations can assist with compliance with AS 2208 – Safety Glazing Materials in Buildings.
Available in optically clear safety films or lightly tinted and reflective options that provide additional solar control benefits.
UV Protection
Fade Reduction
Block up to 99% of harmful UV rays
Help protect furniture, flooring and interior finishes from UV damage
Cost Effective
Easy Retrofit
Improve glazing safety without replacing existing windows
Upgrade existing glass without construction or glazing replacement
Safety Window Films in Action
Because safety window films are typically optically clear, their performance is often best demonstrated through testing. The videos below show how filmed glass behaves when impacted and how the film helps hold broken glass fragments together. Some footage includes glass breakage during testing which some viewers may find confronting. Viewer discretion is advised.
Videos courtesy of Solar Gard and Wolf Telstra Partner.
Videos courtesy of Solar Gard and Wolf Telstra Partner.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is safety window film?
Safety window film is a clear protective film designed to help hold broken glass fragments together if the glass breaks. This reduces the risk of dangerous shards falling or being projected into surrounding areas and helps improve the safety performance of existing glazing.
How does safety window film work?
Safety window film creates a strong adhesive layer across the surface of the glass. If the glass breaks, the fragments remain attached to the film instead of falling away from the frame. This helps reduce the risk of injury from sharp glass shards.
What thickness safety films are available?
Safety window films are typically available in thicknesses ranging from 2 mil (approximately 50 microns) through to around 7 mil (approximately 175 microns) depending on the level of protection required and the application.
Do safety films meet Australian Standards?
When correctly specified and installed, certain safety window film systems can assist with compliance with AS 2208 – Safety Glazing Materials in Buildings. Compliance depends on the film type, glass type and installation method.
Do I receive certification after installation?
If the film and glazing combination meets the requirements of AS 2208 – Safety Glazing Materials in Buildings, a compliance marking (“bug”) will be applied to the glass indicating the glazing now meets the applicable safety glazing standard. Manufacturer test certificates can also be provided where required.
Will safety window film change the appearance of the glass?
Most safety films are optically clear and virtually undetectable once installed, meaning they have little to no visual impact on the appearance of the glass. Solar safety films are also available which are lightly shaded or reflective and provide additional solar control benefits.
Will safety window film reduce natural light?
Clear safety window films have minimal impact on visible light transmission. Solar safety films may slightly reduce visible light depending on the product selected, while also helping reduce heat and glare.
Is safety window film installed on the inside or outside?
Most safety window films are installed on the inside surface of the glass, where they are protected from weather and environmental exposure. In some situations exterior installation may be recommended depending on the glazing type.
Will there be joins in the film?
Many installations can be completed without joins, however the maximum sheet size depends on the roll width of the selected film and the size of the glass panel. If a join is required, we will discuss this with you beforehand.
What brands do you use?
AlpineTint is an authorised installer for 3M and Solar Gard, two of the most respected manufacturers in the window film industry. We select products based on the performance requirements of each project.
Will the film bubble after installation?
Immediately after installation you may notice small water pockets or haze while the film cures. This is normal and typically clears within a few days to a few weeks depending on conditions.
Can I purchase safety window film and install it myself?
Safety window films are specialist architectural products and professional installation is recommended to ensure the film performs correctly and achieves the intended safety benefits.
Will safety window film help with bushfires?
Safety window film can help hold glass fragments together if the glass breaks due to heat or debris, which may reduce the risk of glass falling out of the frame. However, window film alone does not make glazing compliant with AS3959 Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) requirements and should not be relied upon as a bushfire protection system.
What’s the difference between safety window film and security window film?
Safety window films and security window films are designed for different purposes. Safety window films are primarily designed to help hold broken glass fragments together if the glass breaks. Their main purpose is injury prevention and improving glazing safety, and they are commonly used where glass needs to meet safety glazing requirements such as AS 2208. Security window films are significantly thicker and are designed to provide greater resistance to forced entry and impact. These films are typically installed as part of a complete system that may include specialised frame attachment methods to help prevent the glass from being pushed out of the frame after breaking. While safety films do help hold glass fragments together, they are not designed to provide the same level of forced entry resistance as security window film systems. For applications where protection against smash-and-grab theft or forced entry is required, a properly specified security film system should be used.