Determining the appropriate bullet-resistant rating depends on the threats you are most likely to face. If you are in an urban environment where most firearm threats involve handguns, a lower-level panel may suffice. However, if you are in a rural area where hunting rifles pose a risk, or if you face potential high-caliber rifle threats, higher UL levels may be necessary.
DefenseLite commonly utilizes UL752 Level 3 and Level 8 bullet-resistant wall panels, along with UL-rated glass protection spanning Levels 1-10. Identifying your security needs is the first step in ensuring the right level of defense for your space.
Level 1 provides the lowest level of bullet resistance on the UL scale, designed to stop up to three rounds from a 9mm, 124-grain handgun per square foot.
Level 2 is rated to withstand three shots per square foot from a .357 Magnum, 158-grain handgun. This level also meets all Level 1 protection standards.
At Level 4, protection extends beyond handguns to rifles. This rating is tested to withstand a single shot per square foot from a .30-06 caliber, 180-grain rifle—typically a hunting rifle used for medium to large game.
Level 5 bullet-resistant materials can stop a single shot per square foot from an AK-47 7.62mm rifle with .308 caliber, 150-grain ammunition.
While similar to Level 1 in caliber, Level 6 is specifically tested for higher-velocity 9mm rounds fired from an Uzi submachine gun. This level must withstand five shots per square foot at a velocity of 1400-1540 FPS, compared to Level 1’s three shots at 1175-1293 FPS.
Designed for higher-powered rifles, Level 7 is rated to stop five shots per square foot from an AR-15 5.56mm rifle using .223 caliber, 55-grain rounds.
Level 8 is among the most popular protection levels, offering resistance against five shots per square foot from an AK-47 and similar military assault rifles, including the M-14. Unlike Level 5, which is tested for a single shot, Level 8 is designed to endure multiple impacts. This level also meets the protection standards for Levels 1-7.
“As a security and protective design and engineering consultant for 45 years, and after having participated in reviewing, analyzing, testing and subsequently specifying many different force protection products for clients with extreme security concerns, I would strongly advise those in similar positions to consider the products sold under the “DefenseLite” brand name, and fabricated, furnished and installed by Impact Security. We have submitted their products to personal attacks by our security specialists and been engaged in having their products tested under live firing range conditions by elite law enforcement agencies for ballistic resistance and forced entry and can attest to their efficacy and value.”.
"While there are numerous aspects to any comprehensive security program, if you are able to make the windows of a facility difficult or impossible to breach, you can significantly enhance the overall security of the site. Many institutions take actions to secure their facilities without considering the “why” behind those actions. The best security plans are rooted in security principles that allow you to gain time during an emergency situation, and keep a threatening person at a distance. This is exactly why we utilized DefenseLite and BulletShield for our more vulnerable clientele, worldwide. Having worked on numerous and complicated security projects all over the world we have also experienced the value of having a high quality partner to properly install these items. Jeff Franson and his team have always done a stellar job, going above and beyond, and have ensured that the windows at our sites have the highest level of security features."
"I just wanted to take a minute to let you know that we recently had an attempted break in, the key word here is (attempted). Around 5:30 AM 3 individuals pulled up to the store, got out of a car, wearing masks and carrying bats and bricks. One started throwing a landscaping brick (~10 pounds) at the glass door protected by DefenseLite and the rock just bounced off, the other two went to work on one of the windows with the bats. The bats had little effect on the DefenseLite. After about 5 minutes of repeatedly throwing the brick at the door the glass behind the DefenseLite broke, but the DefenseLite stayed intact. The three spent a total of 8 and a half minutes beating on the Defense with rock and bats and still did not get in. I am 100% confident had I not chosen to put the DefenseLite they would have gotten it and gotten away with countless guns and I would have been dealing with the ATF and State Police for weeks if not longer and there would be a lot of illegal guns on the street. DefenseLite is hands down the best means of keeping bad people out of your store."
"Recently we had a torch attack on the side door at our Patagonia Portland Store (there have been two now). And last week we had a cinderblock attack on the same set of doors. There are no broken door glass, the doors were not damaged, and no intrusions into our store. Without DefenseLite, the damage to the door glass and doors would have been in the 10K range minimum. Then you have the amount of product that could have been taken out of our store. And then (a harder matrix to measure) store moral and store appearances would have most likely have suffered. Bottom line, DefenseLite works again! "
"DefenseLite recently completed a very complex lobby project for us which entailed a specialized design with multiple pieces and required a challenging installation. We could not be happier. The project was a grand success and the DefenseLite management as well as installers, were the utmost professionals demonstrating genuine care and customer service. Their technical knowledge is superb. We felt very taken care of as updates and good communication with us were continually provided. Thanks!"
