A bulletproof door can protect the occupants of the property from incidents such as weaponry assaults (with impact weapons and firearms), forced entry, and even blast explosions.
Bulletproof doors, however, come in different types and sizes and are constructed with different materials. So, choosing the right bulletproof door according to your needs can be quite a daunting task.
In this post, we will discuss all you need to know about buying a bulletproof door, but let us begin right away.
Bulletproof Door Standardisation
How can a door be considered “bulletproof”?
In the US, doors must pass various tests according to the required Underwriter’s Lab or comparable standards to receive the status of “bulletproof.” These tests will assess whether the door can withstand a range of ballistic impact and penetration attack levels, as well as blast/explosion impact.
Not only must the door panel be strong enough for the door set to be considered bulletproof. Yet, all elements of the door set: frames, hinges, viewing panels, and even locks, must be thoroughly tested before the door set can be certified as a bulletproof door.
Standard Shape And Size Of The Bullet Proof Door
Bulletproof doors can come in diverse shapes and sizes, and depending on the manufacturer, can be custom-tailored according to the owner’s needs and requirements. For example, bulletproof doors can come as a traditional hinged door, a sliding door, or even as an automatic door.
In some cases, the bulletproof door can also be equipped with additional accessories like smart locks, reinforced viewing windows, and so on. However, ideally, these accessories must also be factory-fitted by the door manufacturer to ensure they also meet the required resistance level.
Incorporating bulletproof doors might be mandatory for specific commercial projects, including but not limited to:
- Financial properties like banks, pawnshops, or other properties that might hold a lot of cash
- Police stations, prisons, and other security properties
- Mining, construction, and similar properties
- Public properties like hospitals, schools, and government properties
Bulletproof Door: Materials
Ballistic doors can be constructed from different materials: steel, aluminum, wood, and even glass, among others. Different materials would offer different levels of bullet resistance and may also contribute to the property’s overall aesthetics.
A bulletproof door is made from either aluminum or steel.
1. Steel
Steel is obviously stronger than aluminum, and solid steel is considered the strongest and most durable material to protect against projectile impacts.
However, aluminum is lighter than steel (so doors made of aluminum are easier to open/close) and is typically more affordable than solid steel.
2. Aluminum
While aluminum can be fairly strong with really high projective and explosion resistance, it is still weaker than a comparable solid steel door with similar size and thickness.
However, an aluminum bulletproof door has been getting quite popular in recent years and is definitely worth your consideration.
3 Key Considerations: Choosing A Bulletproof Door
Choosing the right bulletproof door between different models and brands can be quite challenging. However, you should mainly consider only three key factors:
1. Security level:
How solid/durable the bulletproof door is. This should be based on the threat level surrounding the property.
If a property holds more important people and/or valuables inside, then you may need to get a door with a higher level of protection.
2. Aesthetics:
Both in terms of different material choices and door designs. A glass door, for example, can produce unique looks that might fit your property’s overall aesthetics better.
3. Budget:
The stronger, thicker, and heavier a door is, the more expensive it will be. Also, customization may also increase the price further.
Above anything else, choosing your bulletproof door is about identifying your needs first.
4 Attractive Features To Look For In a Bulletproof Door
If you live in an area where break-ins and weapon assaults are common and your property may be frequently targeted, then you’ll need a high-end security bulletproof door to protect your property (which is typically more expensive).
However, if the threat level in your area is relatively low, then you may be able to get away with a more affordable door.
1. Strength
The bulletproof door panel should have already been tested and rated for projectile and explosion resistance. The door frames must also be strong enough to withstand impact, vibration, and tampering.
A strong door frame should feature a deep and wide enough receiver channel that allows inserting in and fill. This is to ensure that the edges of the leaf can’t be pushed out of the frame too easily.
2. Certifications And Standards
To ensure your doors are adequately projectile-resistant and can fulfill the task of protecting yourself and your property, look out for doors that have been tested and rated by relevant security standards.
Bulletproof doors from Fortified Estate, you can take the example, have not been tested by and rated to the idols of the US Bureau of the Diplomatic Security and IFT Rosenheim, NTS Chesapeake, along with the other security services.
3. Locking System
Make sure the bulletproof door is equipped with a high-security, UL-approved lock with multiple locking points to ensure security and reliability. Lock failure can be a serious and time-consuming fix, and the room may be locked permanently in many cases.
The locking system should feature a multi-point locking system with more than five locking bolts that will effectively secure the door on the front, bottom, top, and hinge sides.
If you have relatively many people in your house who’ll need to open and close the bulletproof door in the event of emergencies, consider having a versatile locking/unlocking method (i.e., fingerprint scanner, passcode, etc.) so you don’t need too many keys.
4. Corrosion Resistance
This is an important factor to consider if your property is located in coastal areas (or areas with high natural humidity), where the bulletproof door is at risk of corrosion.
In these cases, you might want to choose a bulletproof door that is made of corrosive-resistant materials like aluminum or stainless steel.
Conclusion
When getting and installing a bulletproof door, it’s highly recommended to work with a licensed and bonded contractor. Also, always consider entry convenience besides other security features. For example, a door that is too difficult and slow to open might result in the vault room being neglected over time, which will beat the purpose of the door itself.
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