Curtain Walling
Blast Resistant Curtain Walling
About Blast Resistant Curtain Walling
Blast resistant curtain walling, also called blast enhanced, is a façade designed to stay in place and hold its glass together when hit by the pressure wave from an explosion, and BDF Architectural supplies and installs it for government buildings, embassies, financial institutions and other security-critical sites across London and the UK.
In an explosion most injuries near a building come from flying glass, so the aim is that the glass cracks but stays in the frame instead of breaking into fragments. The protection comes from the whole system working together: laminated glass that cracks but stays bonded to its interlayer, glazing retention that keeps it in the frame, and heavy-duty, thermally broken framing and fixings strong enough to carry the load into the structure. A strong glass in a weak frame, or a strong frame on weak fixings, does not give the protection on its own.
The level of protection is set by the threat assessment for the building, usually with a specialist security adviser, and confirmed against tested system configurations for each project rather than quoted in general. Blast performance is designed alongside the thermal and acoustic performance the building needs, so a blast enhanced elevation can match the standard curtain walling around it.
Blast resistance is tested and classified separately from other kinds of attack. Explosion-resistant glazing is tested to standards such as ISO 16933 (arena air-blast tests) and ISO 16934 (shock tube), and windows, doors and shutters to BS EN 13123 and BS EN 13124. Bullet resistance (BS EN 1063 for glass, BS EN 1522 for windows and doors) and forced-entry resistance (such as BS EN 1627 or LPS 1175) are different tests, so a façade described as impact resistant, ballistic or security rated needs the specification to state which threats it must resist, with test evidence for each in the configuration supplied.
To price, send elevations and sections, the performance specification including the protection level required, structural information and programme dates.
Last reviewed 2 November 2026
Key features
- Designed to resist blast overpressure
- Laminated glass that stays bonded to its interlayer
- Minimises hazardous glass fragmentation
- Specified to tested blast-resistant configurations
- Protection level set by the building's threat assessment
- Combines blast resistance with thermal and acoustic performance
- Suitable for government, defence and commercial applications
- Full design and installation service
Specifications
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Blast Resistant Curtain Walling.
What is blast resistant curtain walling?
A façade designed to stay in place and hold its glass together when hit by the pressure wave from an explosion, instead of breaking into flying fragments. It is specified for government buildings, embassies, financial institutions and other security-critical sites.
How is the level of blast protection set?
By the threat assessment for the building, usually with a specialist security adviser. We then confirm the façade against tested system configurations for that level, rather than quoting protection in general.
What glass is used in blast resistant curtain walling?
Laminated glass that cracks but stays bonded to its interlayer, held in the frame by glazing retention and carried by framing and fixings strong enough to take the load into the structure.
Is blast resistant curtain walling also impact or bullet resistant?
Not automatically. Blast, bullet and forced-entry resistance are separate tests: explosion resistance to standards such as ISO 16933 and ISO 16934 for glazing, bullet resistance to BS EN 1063 and BS EN 1522, and forced-entry resistance to standards such as BS EN 1627 or LPS 1175. The specification needs to state which threats the façade must resist, and each is confirmed against test evidence for the configuration.
Can blast resistant curtain walling also be thermally efficient?
Yes. Blast performance is designed alongside thermal and acoustic performance, on heavy-duty thermally broken aluminium profiles, so a blast enhanced elevation can match the standard curtain walling around it.
How do I get a price for blast resistant curtain walling?
Send elevations and sections, the performance specification including the protection level required, structural information and programme dates through the enquiry form on our contact page, by email to info@bdfa.uk or on 0800 999 5575.
Pricing Blast Resistant Curtain Walling?
Send drawings, schedules and programme dates for a tender price, or call 0800 999 5575.
