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EN 1063
View on WikipediaEN 1063, or CEN 1063, is a security glazing standard created by the European Committee for Standardization for measuring the protective strength of bullet-resistant glass. It is commonly used in conjunction with EN 1522 (Euronorm standard for Bullet Resistance in Windows, Doors, Shutters and Blinds) to form a ballistic classification system by which armored vehicles and structures are tested and rated.[1] A similar classification system primarily used in the United States is NIJ Standard 0108, the U.S. National Institute of Justice's Standard for Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials which includes glass and armor plate.
Threat Levels
[edit]The protective strength of a glazed shielding is rated based on the type of munitions, or threat level, it is capable of withstanding. There are 7 main standard threat levels: BR1-BR7 (also written as B1-B7), each corresponding to a different type of small arms fire. Additionally, there are two other threat levels (SG1 & SG2) corresponding to shotgun munitions.
To be given a particular rating, the glazing must stop the bullet for the specified number of strikes, with multiple strikes placed within 120mm of each other in the test sample which dimensions are 500±5mm x 500±5mm.[2]

The glazing should also be shatterproof and produce no spalls after each strike. Lastly, the classification levels are numbered in order of increasing protective strength. Thus any sample complying with the requirements of one class also complies with the requirements of previous classes. However, the SG (shotgun) classes do not necessarily comply with BR classes.[3][4]
The precise test requirements and bullet types used are as follows:
| Class | Weapon | Caliber | Type | Weight (g) | Range (m) | Velocity (m/s) | Impact Energy | Shots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BR1 | Handgun/Rifle | .22 LR | LB/RN | 2,6 ± 0,1 | 10,00 ± 0,5 | 360 ± 10 | 170 J | 3 |
| BR2 | Handgun | 9×19mm Parabellum | FJ/RN/SC | 8,0 ± 0,1 | 5,00 ± 0,5 | 400 ± 10 | 640 J | 3 |
| BR3 | Handgun | .357 Magnum | FJ/CB/SC | 10,2 ± 0,1 | 5,00 ± 0,5 | 430 ± 10 | 940 J | 3 |
| BR4 | Handgun | .44 Magnum | FJ/FN/SC | 15,6 ± 0,1 | 5,00 ± 0,5 | 440 ± 10 | 1510 J | 3 |
| BR5 | Rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | FJ/PB/SCP | 4,0 ± 0,1 | 10,00 ± 0,5 | 950 ± 10 | 1800 J | 3 |
| BR6 | Rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | FJ/PB/SC | 9,5 ± 0,1 | 10,00 ± 0,5 | 830 ± 10 | 3270 J | 3 |
| BR7 | Rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | FJ/PB/HC | 9,8 ± 0,1 | 10,00 ± 0,5 | 820 ± 10 | 3290 J | 3 |
LB - Lead Bullet
FJ - Full Metal Jacket
FN - Flat Nose
RN - Round Nose
CB - Cone Bullet
PB - Pointed Bullet
SC - Soft Core (lead)
SCP - Soft Core (lead) & Steel Penetrator
HC - Hard core, steel hardness > 63 HRC[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Bullet Resistance". SITEC. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ "EN 1063 protection levels". militaryvehiclesdata.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ Watney, Jeremy (2000). "BS EN1063 2000". Ballistic Edge Research Laboratory Mechanical Impact Testing. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
- ^ "security-consulting-engineers-reading" (PDF). www.hephaestusconsulting.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ "Levels of Protection According EN 1063" (PDF). MARS Armor. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 20, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
EN 1063
View on Grokipedia| Class | Weapon Type | Caliber | Bullet Type | Mass (g) | Velocity (m/s) | Distance (m) | Shots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BR1 | Rifle | .22 LR | Lead round nose | 2.6 | 360 | 10 | 3 |
| BR2 | Handgun | 9 mm Luger | Full jacket round nose soft core | 8.0 | 400 | 5 | 3 |
| BR3 | Handgun | .357 Magnum | Full jacket conical base soft core | 10.2 | 430 | 5 | 3 |
| BR4 | Handgun | .44 Remington Magnum | Full jacket flat nose soft core | 15.6 | 440 | 5 | 3 |
| BR5 | Rifle | 5.56×45 | Full jacket pointed base soft core penetrator | 4.0 | 950 | 10 | 3 |
| BR6 | Rifle | 7.62×51 | Full jacket pointed base soft core | 9.5 | 830 | 10 | 3 |
| BR7 | Rifle | 7.62×51 | Full jacket pointed hard core incendiary | 9.8 | 820 | 10 | 3 |
| SG1 | Shotgun | 12/70 | Solid lead slug | 31 | 420 | 10 | 1 |
| SG2 | Shotgun | 12/70 | Solid lead slug | 31 | 420 | 10 | 3 |
Introduction
Overview
EN 1063 is a European standard developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) that specifies performance requirements and test methods for classifying the bullet resistance of security glazing, including glass and glass/plastic composites used in buildings.[1] Designated as EN 1063:1999, it applies to non-structural glazing elements for interior and exterior use, assuming secure mounting that does not compromise the glazing's performance.[5] The primary purpose of EN 1063 is to ensure that bullet-resistant glazing withstands impacts from handguns, rifles, and shotguns without projectile penetration or excessive spalling on the protected side, thereby safeguarding occupants from ballistic threats.[6] This standard focuses on the glazing product itself, evaluating its ability to maintain integrity under specified attack conditions to provide reliable protection in security-sensitive environments.[7] Key features of EN 1063 include its classification system with nine ballistic resistance classes—BR1 through BR7 for bullets and SG1 through SG2 for shotguns—with sub-designations S (splinters permitted on the protected side) or NS (no splinters on the protected side) to indicate spalling performance (detailed in the Classification and Testing section).[3] Testing involves 500 mm × 500 mm samples mounted in frames, with shots fired at a 90° angle from distances of 5 to 10 meters, typically delivering multiple hits to assess durability.[3][8]Development and History
The development of EN 1063 was carried out by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee 129 (TC 129), which focuses on glass in building applications.[6] The standard was first approved by CEN on 16 April 1999 and published shortly thereafter as EN 1063:1999, establishing performance requirements and test methods for classifying the bullet resistance of glass and glass/plastic composites used in security glazing.[6] An amendment followed in 2000, updating the standard to EN 1063:2000 while maintaining its core framework for ballistic classification.[9] EN 1063:2000 remains the current version as of 2025, classified as a harmonized European standard under the Construction Products Regulation; however, a draft revision (prEN 1063:2019) has been prepared by TC 129 to address evolving threats, including the addition of new ammunition types for class BR3 and introduction of a new protection class KS for rifle ammunition, though it has not yet been finalized and published.[10]Scope and Requirements
Applicable Materials
EN 1063 applies to security glazing materials designed for bullet resistance in building applications, encompassing single or multiple sheets of glass, either standalone or in laminated configurations. These include annealed, toughened (tempered), or heat-strengthened glass variants, often combined with interlayers such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or other plastics to form composites that enhance impact absorption and prevent spalling. Glass/plastic composites, such as those incorporating polycarbonate sheets or films between glass layers, are also covered, provided they maintain the optical and structural characteristics of glazing.[1][11][5] The standard focuses exclusively on transparent or translucent glazing products for interior and exterior building use, excluding non-transparent materials like opaque panels or armor plates without glazing properties. It does not cover glazing for vehicles, which falls under separate standards such as VPAM for armored vehicles, nor does it address load-bearing structural glazing systems like curtain walls or facades, which are governed by standards such as EN 13830. No minimum thickness is mandated, but practical compositions vary by required protection level; for instance, lower-resistance classes may employ 20-30 mm thick laminated glass, while higher classes can exceed 80 mm with multiple layers.[1][12][13] Installation under EN 1063 assumes fixed or framed mounting in building structures, where the glazing is properly secured to prevent displacement during impact. Test evaluations ensure that edge effects, framing influences, or mounting hardware do not compromise the material's inherent resistance, emphasizing the glazing product's standalone performance while acknowledging that overall system protection depends on secure fixation.[11][5]Performance Criteria
The performance criteria for bullet-resistant glazing under EN 1063 mandate no complete penetration (perforation) of the glazing by the bullet or any fragments thereof, ensuring the integrity of the protected side against projectile passage.[14] This core requirement applies across all classes, with compliance verified through specified ballistic tests using defined ammunition types and velocities.[5] To assess spalling, a witness foil (typically 0.02 mm thick aluminum) is positioned 500 mm behind the protected side of the glazing; the criteria differentiate between two variants.[6] The NS (No Splinters) variant imposes an additional strict criterion of no perforation of the witness foil by glass splinters from the rear (protected) face, preventing any spallation that could endanger occupants.[14] In contrast, the S (Splinters) variant permits limited rear-face spalling, allowing perforation of the witness foil by splinters while still prohibiting full penetration.[14] Post-impact assessment involves immediate evaluation of the glazing for adherence to these criteria, including confirmation that no bullet or fragment has passed through and that spall meets the NS or S designation.[14] The glazing unit, tested within its frame or rebate, must maintain structural integrity without dislodgement, though specific visual checks for cracks, delamination, or deformation are integrated into overall compliance verification rather than as standalone metrics.[15] Failure modes are strictly defined: partial penetration, such as a bullet embedding in the glazing but fragments passing to the protected side, constitutes non-compliance and results in a class downgrade or rejection.[14] Energy absorption by the glazing is assessed indirectly through successful adherence to the class-specific penetration and spall criteria, without direct measurement.[5] These standards ensure reliable protection tailored to the threat level, with NS preferred for high-occupancy environments requiring minimal secondary hazards.[13]Classification and Testing
Ballistic Resistance Classes
EN 1063 defines nine ballistic resistance classes for glazing materials, categorized into BR1 through BR7 for resistance against handgun, sporting rifle, and high-velocity rifle threats, and SG1 through SG2 specifically for shotgun slug threats. These classes establish progressive levels of protection, with each higher class requiring the material to withstand more energetic projectiles at specified velocities and impact conditions, building upon the requirements of lower classes. The BR classes primarily address single bullet threats from firearms, while SG classes focus on single slug impacts from shotguns, ensuring no penetration or excessive spalling occurs during testing.[3] Successful classification requires no penetration through the glazing, with an optional "no splinters" (NS) designation if no fragments detach on the protected side, or "splinters" (S) otherwise. The specifications for each class include the ammunition type, bullet or slug mass, impact velocity, kinetic energy, test range, and number of strikes, as detailed in the following table. These parameters simulate realistic threat scenarios, with energies calculated as kinetic energy (½mv²) to quantify the ballistic demand.[3][16]| Class | Ammunition Type | Mass (g) | Velocity (m/s) | Kinetic Energy (J) | Range (m) | Strikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BR1 | .22 LR lead round nose | 2.6 | 360 | 168 | 10 | 3 |
| BR2 | 9 mm Luger full jacket round nose soft core | 8.0 | 400 | 640 | 5 | 3 |
| BR3 | .357 Magnum full jacket conical bullet soft core | 10.2 | 430 | 943 | 5 | 3 |
| BR4 | .44 Remington Magnum full jacket flat nose soft core | 15.6 | 440 | 1,510 | 5 | 3 |
| BR5 | 5.56×45 mm full jacket pointed bullet soft core penetrator | 4.0 | 950 | 1,805 | 10 | 3 |
| BR6 | 7.62×51 mm full jacket pointed bullet soft core | 9.5 | 830 | 3,272 | 10 | 3 |
| BR7 | 7.62×51 mm full jacket pointed bullet hard core | 9.8 | 820 | 3,295 | 10 | 3 |
| SG1 | 12/70 solid lead slug | 31 | 420 | 2,734 | 10 | 1 |
| SG2 | 12/70 solid lead slug | 31 | 420 | 2,734 | 10 | 3 |
