An Affordable Safety Measure Ensures Business Continuity

Peter Davey, American Window Film, Inc.
Where will your business be when the “Party” leaves town? The 2004
Democratic National Convention is com­ing to Boston. Its potential as a target for terrorist activity is high. Many of your business neighbors have been consid­ering its arrival in the context of business continuity – or rather the cost of busi­ness incontinuity – and have initiated safety measures to ensure the uninter­rupted flow of business. Consider this…your windows are shattered. Terrorism, vandalism, riots, blasts, severe weather and smash-and­grab crime can result in shattered win­dows. How much of an impact will the inability to gain access to your premises have on your business? Have you con­sidered the impact on your business of injuries to building occupants resulting from flying shards of glass? Could you estimate the cost of damage to equip­ment and furnishings if the interior of your building remained exposed to inclement weather? For companies to remain viable, business managers have to ask difficult questions. Will the implementation of security measures have an impact on productivity? Can we afford them? Will we see a return on investment? In ref­erence to the installation of security win­dow film, the answers to these ques­tions are no, yes, yes, respectively. Unlike many costly and counter pro­ductive security measures, the instal­lation of security window film is quick, clean and affordable. Most security films are designed to be applied to the inside of glass. The glass is cleaned using simple cleaning and razor blade scrap­ers, sprayed with a slip solution for proper positioning and applied to the window. The application is completed by removing excess water, trimming and drying the edges. When complete, the installation of security film provides
an invisible shield of protection. Efficient, professionally trained installers provide minimum interruption to production activities. In addition, the application of quality window film will provide a return on investment. The benefits of reduced heating, cooling and HVAC maintenance expenses provide good reasons for building owners and managers to justi­fy their investment on future energy cost savings.
3M originally developed security films to address international concerns for improved security against terrorist activity. Their films significantly reduce the risk of serious injury from flying shards of glass due to blasts. A low profile, high performance measure of security in the battle against smash­and-grab crime, 3M security window films are tough, shatter-resistant films that can hold glass together even if a brick were to pass through the glass. Thieves, knowing that time is short, often move on.
3M Company, an ISO9002 certified manufacturer, issued the first patent on window film in 1966. 3M is the only window film manufacturer that produces their own raw materials such as poly­esters, adhesives, metals and scratch-resistant coatings. Their films meet ANSI Z97 and CPSC glazing standards, and 3M’s patented multiple micro layer technology, to enhance tensile strength and elongation, has contributed to their longevity in the field. Their patented film construction delivers superior perform­ance over standard polyester films in blast and impact mitigation due to its ability to absorb shock. They are a durable, tear-resistant series of polyester films that provide high opti­cal clarity.
When considering window film, take a close look at their attachment sys­tem. 3M combines the elasticity of 3M security film with Dow Corning’s struc­tural adhesive system. The combination creates a highly flexible membrane to capture and absorb impact energy. 3M’s system allows the frame to bend and twist to accommodate a variety of impact stresses. It’s a simple, cost effective attachment system when compared to more bulky mechanical attachment alternatives.
Security and emergency experts are preparing us for a substantial increase in the severity and frequency of terrorist activities over the next sev­eral years. Security film installation is one measure of safety that is afford­able, offers little interruption to busi­ness continuity and provides a return on investment. The peace-of-mind knowing you have reduced the risk of injury to occupants of your building, of course, is priceless.
Peter J.Davey is president of American Window Film, Inc.(previously known as New England Sun Control of MA & NH), a 3M Authorized Window Film Dealer, located in Foxboro, MA, 800-274-TINT, www.americanwindow film.com.