3M provides glazing protection against bomb blasts and explosions

Representatives from various security firms as well as high-risk facilities such as banks, hotels and embassies attended this event.

David Cox, European Product Manager for 3M Window Films, 3M UK, guest speaker at the seminar, highlighted a range of products under 3M's 'Building and Commercial Services Division ' He stressed that while these products are commonly known as 'window tinting/safety films,' they have a greater importance in today's insecure world, particularly in volatile regions such as the Middle East. He said, 'These films are already known to reduce glare, protect furniture from fading and improve air-conditioning cooling efficiency, however, we would like you all to view these products in a new light, as a vital element of an effective blast protection system.'

These features of the films were demonstrated at the seminar, using the recent blasts in Lebanon as an example. 3M drew attention to the glass that shattered and flew with the force of the blast, causing serious injuries to people located within the radius of the explosion. Mr. Michael Moore, HSBC's Regional Security manager, another guest speaker at the event, displayed shocking visuals of their Beirut branch, located only meters away from the massive explosion that claimed the life of Lebanon's ex-prime minister and numerous others.

These photographs highlighted the life-saving role played by 3M™ Scotchshield™ Safety and Security Films, in an otherwise devastated facility. The film held the shattered glass together and prevented it from falling and flying across the facility. These tough, transparent films consists of multiple, micro-thin polyester layers, using a patented lamination technology, work to hold shattered glazing together. David Cox said, 'This 'blast protection film' is comparable to an insurance policy that one would hope he never uses. The difference would be that this film would pay for itself rapidly through savings on energy bills.'

While the film helps maintain the integrity of a structure's outer shell to keep wind, rain and flying glass fragments from wreaking havoc inside the structure, it also rejects harmful UV rays, which is one of the main causes of fading, and lower energy costs by reflecting heat, reducing glare and improving comfort.

These films are already being used internationally, as a protection mechanism in buildings. Some of the projects where these films are already in use include US Army, UN offices around the world, US Embassies, British Embassies, BA Systems , Saudi Aramco CITIBANK, Standard Chartered Banks, HSBC, etc.