Security film for automotive windows

Burglary or car-jacking delay - Protection of property and people

Anti-carjacking and Protection against broken glass

Securing automobile windows provides a certain amount of protection by limiting easy and quick access to the passenger compartment but also by reducing the risk of injury due to broken glass.

Applying a safety film to automotive windows improves the structural strength of the glass. In the event of a break-in attempt or an accident, the broken glass will be held in place to protect passengers from any bodily harm.
The structural design of safety and security films for windows prevents immediate access to the passenger compartment and extends the break-in time. Thus, during carjacking attempts, the deterrent effect due to the presence of the security film improves the protection of property and people in the vehicle.

For securing automotive glass and protecting passengers,
installing safety and security film is the easiest way
to ensure protection against injuries caused by broken glass.

Illustration of glass breakage protection during a side crash test with a window without safety film in the left picture and a window with safety film in the right picture
Side crash test with on the left photo a window without safety film and on the right photo a window with safety film

Find the security films for automotive windows of the Ante Lucem Safety range   

Recommended standards for securing automobile windows

Standard EN 12600 - Protection against glass breakage

For safety and security films, the EN 12600 standard defines the mode of breakage of glass and the fate of glass fragments. As part of securing automobile windows, the use of a safety window film must allow the broken window to form a solid whole. The rigid structure of the film and the adhesive hold the pieces of glass preventing them from entering the passenger compartment in order to protect the occupants from possible injuries.

Standard EN 356 - Resistance to burglary

The EN 356 standard for safety and security films for windows defines the resistance of the glazing to break-ins and vandalism, i.e. to the non-penetration into the passenger compartment of objects such as paving stones, explosive devices, Molotov cocktails, incapacitating grenades, etc. .
Note that the use of the term « anti-break-in » is an abuse of language. Safety films for windows have a break-in delaying effect as part of deterrence.

Automotive glass that is not equipped with a safety and security film does not prevent broken glass from entering the passenger compartment in the event of a break-in.
Automotive glass not equipped with safety film.
The glass breaks into a hundred small pieces that fall into the passenger compartment.
Following an act of vandalism, a window equipped with a safety and security film for automotive windows remains in place even when the glass is broken.
Automotive glass equipped with a safety film.
The pieces of glass form an integral whole adhering to the safety window film.

Situations requiring securing glazing

High-risk area for carjacking

Car-Jacking is a common phenomenon in many urban areas. Traffic lights and traffic jams are ideal opportunities for attempted theft of passengers. In this case, the application of safety and security films for vehicle windows may be indicated. This type of device will have a deterrent effect by increasing the time required for attempted break-ins.


Protection of personnel in the professional context

Warehouses and other handling areas are places where the risk of accidents is common. A glazed forklift protects the driver from bad weather but does not provide sufficient safety against objects being thrown due to improper handling or when the forklift overturns.
In fact, following an accident, the windows of the trolley break and broken glass can injure the driver.
Applying a safety and security film to the windows of this type of motorized vehicle helps to retain broken glass in order to minimize injuries and cuts due to the projection of broken glass.

The application of this type of safety film also extends to agricultural machinery, construction machinery, buses, MEWPs and the list is far from exhaustive.

Installing a safety film on the windows of handling equipment protects the drivers and prevents the scattering of pieces of glass.
Forklift with a glass cabin.
The windows equipped with a safety film protect the driver from broken glass.

Protection of personnel in professions at risk

Automotive glazing fitted with a burglar-proof safety film (EN 356 standard) will have a breakage pattern similar to that of laminated glass with many pieces of different sizes that do not detach and remain attached to the whole.
In addition, with a nominal thickness ≥ 200µm, the safety film will limit the risks of projectiles penetrating the passenger compartment.The protection of the vehicle's occupants will therefore be reinforced.

In order to obtain optimal protection, the safety and security film must be applied to the entirety of each window of a vehicle. This therefore involves removing all the windows in order to obtain the burglar-resistant effect.
This operation is mainly reserved for motorized vehicles for high-risk professions (Bus drivers, Gendarmerie, Police, Firefighters, Ambulances, Armed Forces, etc.).

Installing a security film on the windows of a vehicle protects the police from objects entering the passenger compartment.
Broken rear window of a police vehicle.
Without safety film on the windows, the risk of projectile intrusion is high.
Installing safety film on the windows of a vehicle protects emergency responders from flying broken glass inside the passenger compartment.
Broken side window of a fire brigade assistance vehicle.
Without safety film on the windows, the risk of injury due to flying glass shards is high.