Any discussion of “valued assets” must begin with your employees and staff. They are key to your success as a business, resources that are almost impossible to replace. Even if you can look beyond their value as human beings, as members of your business “family,” they remain one of your most expensive investments. What’s the cost of replacing them versus the cost of protecting them? What impact does that comparison have on your insurance premiums? What about the cost of negative publicity? Regardless of what you have in the vault or the cash drawer, your most valuable asset – and the one you can least afford to squander – is the welfare of your employees.
Six inches of lead sheathing or a foot of solid concrete is “bullet-proof.” But the realities of commerce dictate visibility and easy communication. There are many materials at our disposal that provide excellent stopping power against most common handguns, shotguns and rifles – acrylic, polycarbonate, laminated fiberglass – and they can be employed in ways that are almost invisible to the undiscerning eye. A barrier system designed and installed by an experienced company will provide high security and protection against most projectiles, without making your place of business look like a maximum-security prison.
Security levels for bullet-resistant systems have been established by UL (Underwriters Laboratory), the primary testing organization for materials used in these systems. Each level has been tested and found effective at stopping certain types of projectiles, ones most typically employed during an armed robbery. Learn more
My facility is in an area that has never experienced much crime? Why invest in a bullet-resistant barrier system?
There is little rhyme or reason for why an armed gunman chooses a particular facility, other than a preference for those with the weakest security. While certain areas of some communities are classified by local authorities as “high-crime, ” that is no assurance that a bank, convenience store or gas station outside this area is safe. Furthermore, it’s a harsh fact that many businesses don’t install a bullet-resistant barrier system until after a tragedy has occurred. We advise being proactive on an installation of a bullet-resistant barrier system to deter criminals and prevent a tragedy.
How much confidence can I have in the various materials? Can a piece of plastic actually stop a bullet?
All our systems pass rigorous testing, often conducted by multiple standards agencies. All our materials are made to our stringent specifications, the most demanding in the industry. And as to the question of whether a sheet of transparent, 1″ acrylic capped on each side by a 1/8″ veneer of Lexan will stop a .357 Magnum jacketed lead soft point round or a .44 Magnum semi-wadcutter round; we’ve seen tests like this conducted many times, and the results are always impressive.
As a convenience store operator, daytime is busy and relatively threat-free. Nighttime is an entirely different story. What kind of system do I need?
This is a commonly-asked question. Simply stated, we can design a system that allows easy access during the daytime, when traffic is high and the threat is low, and a much tighter profile in the evening and early morning hours when the threat increases. The system is simple and easy to operate. We’ve designed many systems to offer this level of flexibility and safety.
Estimated delivery dates are best derived from information provided by the freight company. When materials ship from the fabricating facility, Total Security Solutions will send an email containing a tracking number, as well as the Bill of Lading number from the freight company, to the contact identified on the order. Tracking information will be available after 5:00pm EST. For additional information on the status of an order, please contact your Salesperson or Project Manager at Total Security Solutions. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday 7:30am–4:30pm.
In order for Total Security Solutions to assist you in resolving this issue, please take a photo of the area containing the defect. For size reference, please include a coin next to the defect when taking the photo. Contact your Total Security Solutions salesperson and email your photo for information on next steps.
In the unfortunate circumstance that you experience damage during shipping, please take a photo of the damaged products, as well as a photo of the crate in the condition it was delivered to your facility. Contact your Total Security Solutions salesperson or Project Manager and email your photo for information on next steps.
In order for Total Security Solutions to assist you in resolving this issue, please take a photo of the area that is damaged. Contact your Total Security Solutions salesperson or Project Manager and email your photo for information on next steps.
You should have received an envelope, containing an installation packet, attached to the materials in the shipping container. Installation instructions are also available on our website for most applications. Installation packets are not project specific, however, since most setups are customized to each individual’s needs. The installation packets serve as presentational guidelines only.
All pieces of channel have a handwritten number on the bottom side. Horizontal pieces will simply have a number, whereas vertical channel pieces will have a number followed by the abbreviation “vert”. Starting from the far left (as facing from the customer side), the channel piece labeled “1” will be the first channel placed on the counter, followed sequentially by additional channel pieces until the channel butts into the right hand wall of the system.
To install a service counter, first verify the final opening size to the supplied counter. There should be between 1/8” to 1/4” tolerance between the final opening and the countertop. Place the counter in the opening and center within the space. Check for level and shim, if necessary. You should have received aluminum angle stock for the front and rear of the counter. Place these on the bottom side of the counter up against the wall and secure fasteners to both the counter and the wall. Caulk in any gaps as necessary.
Fiberglass, acrylic and polycarbonate can all be cut using a carbide tipped blade. For acrylic and polycarbonate, a carbide circular saw and router will be sufficient to do most field fabrication, as needed. The raw edges can then be sanded and either buffed out to an opaque edge or flame finished for a clearer edge. Fiberglass can also be cut using a carbide tip blade, either in a circular saw or a jigsaw. Pre-drilling holes at desired locations is recommended for fastening materials to a substrate. When cutting fiberglass, it is highly recommended to use both eye and respiratory protection since this product produces a large amount of dust.
I’m a glazier and I’d like to expand my business. Can you provide components that I could install myself?
Absolutely. Experienced glaziers can easily add a new dimension to their sales by offering installations of pre-manufactured bullet-resistant materials. Our specification and manufacturing process is set-up to easily accommodate your needs, and we can likely do it faster and more efficiently than anyone in the industry. We’ll provide spec sheets for you to complete and cut, route, and drill to your measurements, or we can provide products in bulk for you to work with.
To clean aluminum stock materials, gently wipe them down with a cloth dipped in lacquer thinner. Acrylics and polycarbonates can be cleaned by using the provided 210 Glass Cleaner and a soft cotton cloth or micro-fiber towel. Additional 210 Glass Cleaner may be purchased through Total Security Solutions or you can also use a diluted solution of 5% Dawn dish soap to 1 gallon of water. Glass-Clad Polycarbonates can be cleaned using standard glass cleaning products with a non-ammonia base.
Crazing, or hairline cracks along the surface of acrylic, is the result of using improper cleaning chemicals on the acrylic. These chemicals release inherit stress in the material formed in the casting process. Crazing cracks cannot be repaired or reduced in appearance.
Surface scratches are inevitable with acrylic. It is up to you as the end user, however, to determine if the repair on the acrylic will be of more harm than the scratch itself. If there is any white coloring in the middle of the scratch, it is not repairable. It is possible to get it back to a clear opacity, but the scratch itself will still be visible.