Meta description: Understand security glazing under BS EN 356, including P1A–P8B classifications, drop-ball and axe tests, and the limits of attack resistance.

What Is Security Glazing? A Direct Answer

Security glazing is glass designed to resist deliberate manual attack, including attempts to break or penetrate a glazed barrier. BS EN 356:2000, equivalent to EN 356:1999, classifies this resistance through two laboratory methods: a steel-ball drop test and an axe test. The standard defines eight categories, from P1A to P8B. Categories P1A–P5A are assessed through falling-ball impacts, while P6B–P8B are assessed through hammering and cutting actions. These classifications provide comparative resistance data rather than guarantees against real attacks. Selecting a suitable category depends on the application, while the supporting frame must provide corresponding resistance.

1. What Is Security Glazing, Anti-Bandit Glass and Anti-Vandal Glazing?

Security glazing is glazing assessed for its mechanical resistance to deliberate manual attack, with BS EN 356 providing a standardized method for comparing that resistance.

The terms security glazing, anti-bandit glass and anti-vandal glazing describe glass intended to resist deliberate damage or forced penetration. BS EN 356 does not create separate categories for these commercial descriptions. Instead it assesses specified mechanical resistance through standardized test procedures.

What makes glazing security glazing?

The central characteristic is resistance to mechanical attack. EN 356 evaluates glass using controlled impacts or repeated mechanical blows, and expresses the result as a comparative resistance category. A general description such as “secure” is not an EN 356 classification.

· Resistance is measured using specified mechanical testing.

· Resistance is comparative, not a prediction of an actual attack.

· The appropriate resistance category depends on the application.

Single-layer and multilayer security glazing

Single-layer and multilayer are descriptions of construction; neither establishes an EN 356 category on its own. Classification must be based on the relevant test. Likewise, “anti-bandit” and “anti-vandal” are not substitutes for a specific category designation.

What threats does security glazing address?

The standard addresses mechanical attack by two representative methods: falling hard-body impacts and repeated hammering and cutting. These methods do not simulate real manual attacks. They offer a common basis for comparing test resistance.

Does security glazing also mean bulletproof, blast-resistant or fire-resistant glass?

No. BS EN 356 measures mechanical resistance to manual attack, not ballistic, blast or fire resistance. These properties require independent assessment; one cannot be inferred from an EN 356 classification.

2. Which Standard Classifies Resistance to Manual Attack, and Why Does It Matter?

BS EN 356:2000, equivalent to EN 356:1999, establishes testing and classification for the resistance of security glazing against manual attack.

Its title is “Glass in building — Security glazing — Testing and classification of resistance against manual attack.” The two independent test methods produce a continuous series of resistance categories.

What is the relationship between BS EN 356:2000 and EN 356:1999?

BS EN 356:2000 is the British designation corresponding to EN 356:1999. The prescribed classification notation includes EN 356 P1A, EN 356 P4A, EN 356 P6B and EN 356 P8B.

Why does classification matter?

The standard specifies impactor characteristics, specimen preparation, support conditions, test actions and failure criteria. These make a claimed resistance category more informative than an undefined statement such as “strong security glass.”

Does the standard prescribe where each category is installed?

No. Categories are not assigned to building types or particular applications. The user selects the category case by case, consulting an expert where necessary.

3. How Does EN 356 Classify Glazing, and What Do the Eight Categories Mean?

EN 356 establishes eight categories, P1A–P8B: five falling-ball categories and three axe-test categories.

Source: BS EN 356:2000, Table 4.

What does the A suffix mean?

A identifies the hard-body falling-ball test. P1A–P4A use three impacts in a triangular pattern; P5A uses three sets of three impacts at 9,000 mm. Both height and repetition matter when comparing classifications.

What does the B suffix mean?

B identifies the axe test, comprising hammering and cutting actions. The classification depends on total blows under the prescribed procedure: P6B 30–50, P7B 51–70, and P8B more than 70.

Is P8B simply a stronger P5A?

P8B belongs to a different test-method group. P5A evaluates repeated falling-ball impacts; P8B evaluates hammering and cutting. The continuous classification series must not be mistaken for one uniform physical measurement.

4. Drop Test vs Axe Test: What Does Each Measure?

The falling-ball test evaluates controlled hard-body impact, whereas the axe test assesses repeated hammering and cutting until a prescribed opening criterion is met.

Falling-ball test: P1A–P5A

A polished steel ball is released from the height defined for the category. The ball is 100 ± 0.2 mm in diameter, weighs 4.11 ± 0.06 kg, and has hardness 60–65 HRC according to ISO 6508. Testing takes place at 23 ± 2°C.

The test defines penetration if the impactor completely passes through the specimen within five seconds following the impact. Surface damage alone is not equivalent to this defined penetration condition.

Axe test: P6B–P8B

The axe test represents hammering and cutting actions directed toward creating a square opening of 400 ± 10 mm at the specimen centre. A minimum of twelve hammering blows is required.

Failure occurs when the square portion is completely detached or falls under its own weight. The resulting total blow count places the result in P6B, P7B or P8B.

Test-method comparison