How Security Film Behaves in Fire Conditions

Security window film is made from polyester-based materials bonded to glass with specialized adhesives.
Under fire exposure, the glass itself typically fails before the film becomes an issue.

Standard glass can soften and fail at temperatures roughly between 1,100°F and 1,300°F.
Film materials can begin degrading at lower temperatures, but by that point the glass has already fractured or fallen away.
In practical terms, glass failure happens before film could ever trap anyone inside.

Does Security Film Block Escape Routes?

No. Security film is installed on the glass surface—not across door openings or exit paths.
Even if fractured film remains partially intact, it can be pushed through from the inside during an emergency.

Firefighters can also breach filmed glass quickly from the outside using standard tools.
Axes and pike poles penetrate film in seconds. While film adds resistance against forced entry,
it does not create a barrier to egress or rescue.

Building Code and Safety Standards

Amarok Defense installations are designed to comply with national and Arizona-adopted codes and safety standards, including:

• International Building Code (IBC)
• International Fire Code (IFC)
• ANSI Z97.1 safety glazing impact standards
• CPSC 16 CFR 1201 safety glazing requirements

These standards help ensure glazing in doors, corridors, and egress routes breaks safely under impact and does not interfere
with evacuation in a fire or emergency.

Tempered Glass vs. Laminated (Filmed) Glass

Tempered glass is designed to shatter into small pieces under heat or impact.
Laminated glass—or glass protected with security film—tends to hold together and helps prevent dangerous shards from
flying inward.

Security film can improve safety by keeping fragments bound together, reducing the risk of cuts or injuries during an emergency
while also enhancing forced entry resistance.

Fire-Rated Glass vs. Security Film

Security film is not a substitute for fire-rated glass.
Fire-rated glazing is specifically engineered to resist flame spread for a defined period, often between 20 and 90 minutes.

Applying film does not convert standard glazing into fire-rated glazing. However, when installed correctly and where permitted,
film typically does not change the fire rating of an existing rated assembly.
Amarok Defense coordinates with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) or local fire marshal whenever retrofits
involve rated openings.

Does Anchoring Affect Emergency Egress?

No. Anchoring—whether wet glaze or mechanical retention—secures film to the frame to resist intrusion, but it does not block
door swing, panic hardware, or normal egress operation.

Exit routes remain fully functional. Where applicable, Amarok may specify sealants and materials selected for performance and
compatibility with life-safety requirements.

Why You’re Still Safer With Film Installed

During a fire, broken glass can be hazardous. Security film can help:

• Keep glass fragments more contained during evacuation
• Reduce the risk of cuts to evacuees and responders
• Limit airflow through shattered openings that can accelerate flame spread

How Amarok Ensures Fire Compliance

• Code review: verify openings against egress paths and rated assemblies
• Material specification: approve films meeting safety glazing criteria
• AHJ coordination: share specifications when required (especially for schools)
• Installation quality control: ensure frames, latches, and exits remain fully operational

Arizona’s Fire Response Environment

Fire departments across Arizona routinely handle laminated and filmed glass and are equipped to breach it quickly when needed.
Amarok’s job is to ensure your security upgrades support protection without interfering with emergency response.

Call to Action

Want to strengthen security while staying aligned with life safety requirements?
Contact Amarok Defense to review your openings, egress routes, and code considerations, and get the right system specified for your building.