ASTM F1233-08
ASTM F1233-08 has eleven Classification levels to describe bullet resistance and unlike other standards, this is specific to glass systems. Under ASTM F1233, products or assemblies must successfully resist penetration by one to five shots from calibers ranging from .38 caliber up to .30-06 armor piercing ammunition and 12 gauge shotgun. Under ASTM F1233, specifications for protection against military small arms would be R1 (5.56mm x 3 shots), R3 (.308 Win./7.62x51mm x 3 shots), or R4-AP (.30-06 AP x 1 shot).
NIJ Standard-0101.06
In the U.S., bullet-resistant body and vehicle armor are normally tested and classified according to NIJ Standard-0101.06. The NIJ standard uses a six level type classification system to define protection levels. For classification under Types I through III, specimens must resist penetration by five shots according to the standard’s test procedure. Type IV armor products must resist a single shot by .30-06 armor-piercing ammunition. Although NIJ Standard-0101.06 is primarily designed for testing body armor, manufacturers of bullet-resistant building materials often test their products according to the NIJ standard in addition to others. If a security planner uses NIJ Standard-0101.06 for defining protection against military small arms, specifications should state a product classified as Type III (7.62mm x 5 shots) or Type IV.
SD-STD-01.01
All products rated under the U.S. Department of State standard SD-STD-01.01 have been tested against penetration by military small arms and shotguns. The SD-STD-01.01 test procedure involves a minimum of nine shots by 5.56mm, 7.62x51mm, and 12 gauge buckshot in sequence against different target locations.
EN 1063
Outside North America, EN 1063 is one of the most common standards for rating bullet-resistant materials. EN 1063 uses a seven-tiered scale to define ballistic protection from projectile weapons (BR classes) ranging from .22 cal. long rifle to 7.62x51mm hardcore ammunition and two additional levels to define protection against shotguns (SG class). Products rated under EN 1063 must resist penetration by three shots according to the standard’s test requirements. Under EN 1063, adequate specifications for protection against military small arms are BR5 (5.56mm), BR6 (7.62x51mm), or BR7 (7.62x51mm).
EN 1522
Another European ballistic resistance standard is EN 1522 for windows, doors, shutters and blinds. EN 1522 uses a seven level classification system to describe ballistic resistance by calibers ranging from .22 cal. long rifle to 7.62x51mm hardcore ammunition, and one additional level for 12/70 shotgun. The procedure described in EN 1522 requires that the specimen is subjected to three shots at various target points which are determined based upon the type of product under evaluation. For the purposes of specifying protection against military small arms, appropriate EN 1522 ratings include FB5 (5.56mm), FB6 (5.56mm and 7.62x51mm), and FB7 (7.62x51mm hard core).
The following table compares several common ballistic resistance standards and ratings applicable for protection against military small arms.
Other standards with potential use in specifying ballistic protection requirements in safe room design include:
- NATO AEP-55 STANAG 4569
- AS/NZS 2343:1997 Standard
We mentioned 5.56mm, 7.62x51mm (NATO), .30-06 caliber, and shotgun, but what about the most popular weapon used by terrorists worldwide–the Kalashnikov (7.62x39mm)?
With the exception of NATO’s STANAG 4569 and provisions for specially testing 7.62x39mm in European standards (e.g., EN 1522, etc.), none of the common standards for bullet-resistant products specifically addresses 7.62x39mm as a test caliber. It is safe to assume products successfully rated for protection against 7.62x51mm will be effective in stopping 7.62x39mm. It is well established that 7.62x51mm has better penetration capability than 7.62x39mm. Therefore, any product rated as/or greater than UL 752 Level 8, ASTM F1233 R3, NIJ Type III, EN 1063 BR6, or EN 1522 FB6 will be adequate for protection against 7.62x39mm weapons.
The levels that cover this particular round are EN 1063 BR5 and UL 752 Level 7 products before relying on these rating levels. Although there are differences in the ballistic properties of 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm ammunition, they have similar penetration capabilities.
