Window Retrofit Assessments

Problem Statement and Objectives

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wishes to protect the people visiting and working in space under its charge. Flying glass fragments, which may be the result of numerous causes (e.g., explosions, projectile impacts, violent weather, etc.), have the potential for producing serious injury or death. As part of its protection program, EPA has initiated a program to assess and retrofit, as required, the windows in its facilities to meet the requirements of the Interagency Security Committee (ISC) Security Criteria. In support of the program ARA:

Assessed the protection performance of the exterior window systems at designated EPA facilities and
Evaluated hazard/risk reduction measures, if required, to reduce potential hazards due to flying glass fragments at EPA's facilities.
Developed statements of work to install appropriate countermeasures to mitigate window risks and vulnerabilities when recommendations were selected.

Results and Benefits
ARA ongoing support includes project management and inspection support to the EPA in the effective and efficient implementation for the procurement, installation, and retrofits of 12 EPA facilities. These retrofits will reduce the hazards posed by windows, glass, and glazing in facilities occupied by EPA employees.

Test window subject to blast