Overview
ISO 16936-1:2020 - "Glass in building - Forced-entry security glazing - Part 1: Test and classification by repetitive ball drop" specifies a standardized laboratory method and classification for the mechanical impact resistance of security glazing. The method uses a polished steel sphere dropped repeatedly onto glazing samples to assess and classify how long a glazing product can delay access by hard-body impacts. This part deals only with mechanical impact resistance and provides comparative categories (P1A–P5A) rather than application-specific ratings.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Test principle: Repetitive ball-drop impacts with a steel sphere (100 ± 0.2 mm diameter, mass 4.11 ± 0.06 kg, hardness 60–65 HRC).
- Categories of resistance: P1A, P2A, P3A, P4A, P5A - distinguished by drop height and number of strikes:
- P1A: 1 500 mm, 3 impacts (triangle pattern)
- P2A: 3 000 mm, 3 impacts
- P3A: 6 000 mm, 3 impacts
- P4A: 9 000 mm, 3 impacts
- P5A: 9 000 mm, 9 impacts (three rounds of 3)
- Specimen and sampling: Three test pieces per category (six if asymmetric). Typical specimen size (1 100 ± 5) mm × (900 ± 5) mm. Store vertically at (18 ± 3) °C at least 12 h prior.
- Support and clamping: Rigid steel frame with rubber strip contact (30 mm × 4 mm, 40–60 IHRD), edge cover 30 ± 5 mm, uniform clamping pressure (140 ± 20 kN/m; should not exceed 200 kN/m).
- Test conditions: Room temperature test (18 ± 5 °C). Normative Annex A covers extreme-temperature testing (−20 °C, +40 °C).
- Evaluation: Penetration is defined as the impactor fully passing through the specimen within 5 s. Tests are invalid if specimen slips >5 mm in the clamp.
- Reporting & marking: Test report items and classification codes (ISO … P1A to P5A) are specified for traceability.
Applications and Users
- Who uses it: Glass manufacturers, facade and fenestration designers, security product developers, testing laboratories, specifiers, and building authorities.
- Practical uses:
- Specify comparative forced-entry resistance for windows, storefronts, kiosks, detention glazing, and other glazing in security-sensitive buildings.
- Support product development (material selection, laminated or multi-ply constructions) and quality control.
- Provide objective test evidence for procurement, compliance, or risk-assessment decisions.
- Important note: ISO 16936-1 provides comparative mechanical impact data. Final selection for a specific application should consider frame performance, fixings, openings, holes, and other properties (e.g., bullet or blast resistance require different assessments).
Related Standards
- Part of the ISO 16936 series (other parts address alternate forced-entry tests).
- Referenced standards used in test details: ISO 6508-1 (Rockwell hardness test) and ISO 48-2 (rubber hardness).
Keywords: ISO 16936-1:2020, security glazing, forced-entry, repetitive ball drop, test and classification, glass in building, P1A P2A P3A P4A P5A, security-glazing products.
Open preview (PDF)Glass in building — Forced-entry security glazing — Part 1: Test and classification by repetitive ball drop
