Projectile Resistant Film Meets Texas School Safety Requirements

Texas schools must now install security window film on ground-level glass doors and windows under the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) mandate. The requirement addresses a basic vulnerability—glass is the easiest entry point in most school buildings. Someone can break through standard windows in seconds. Projectile-resistant film changes that equation by holding shattered glass together when impacted, making forced entry significantly harder. San Antonio school administrators dealing with this mandate have a compliance deadline to meet, but the film does more than satisfy TEA requirements. It protects against storm damage, reduces vandalism costs, and improves energy efficiency at the same time.

SEE MORE: Security Film Is a Smart Investment for Texas Schools

Understanding the TEA Mandate Requirements

The Texas Education Agency's rule in 19 TAC §61.1031 requires all Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to install entry-resistant film on specific glass surfaces. That includes ground-level exterior glass doors and any ground-level windows adjacent to doors that are large enough for someone to enter if broken. The film must prevent glass from being "easily broken" to allow intruder entry. Schools need to perform maintenance checks twice yearly and document compliance. Texas allocated $400 million in grant funding to help districts cover window and door security upgrades, making this requirement financially feasible for most San Antonio area schools. The certification process requires proof that installations meet TEA standards.

Film Delays Forced Entry During Critical Minutes

Projectile-resistant film holds shattered glass together when someone tries to break through. Standard windows shatter and create an opening in seconds. Windows treated with security film stay intact even after repeated impacts. The film's multi-layer polyester construction—products like 3M Ultra 800 use 200 micro-layers—makes windows two to three times stronger than untreated glass. An intruder trying to breach a filmed window wastes minutes hammering at glass that won't give way. Those minutes matter. Staff can initiate lockdown procedures, students can move to safe areas, and first responders get crucial extra time to arrive on scene. The film transforms your building's weakest entry points into barriers that actually resist forced entry, rather than failing immediately.

Protection Beyond Security Threats

Security film isn't just about intruders. Texas weather hits schools hard—hurricanes along the coast, tornadoes in the spring, hailstorms that crack windows. The same film that stops forced entry holds glass together during storms, preventing flying shards that injure students and staff. Vandalism is another ongoing cost. Film protects glass from scratching, etching, and other damage that would otherwise require expensive window replacements. The film also blocks 99% of harmful UV rays, protecting classroom furnishings and reducing fading. Energy savings add up too—the film helps control temperatures, cutting cooling costs during hot Texas seasons. One installation addresses security compliance, storm protection, vandalism prevention, and operational efficiency simultaneously.

ASAP Security Services installs TEA-compliant projectile-resistant film for San Antonio schools. We handle the certification process and ensure your installation meets all mandate requirements. Call (877) 418-ASAP or contact us here to discuss your school’s security needs.