Virginia Law

A. When selecting glazing, consideration shall be given to ballistic attack, whether penetration of glazing would compromise security or allow passage of contraband, degree of staff supervision or surveillance, and anticipated amount of vandalism.

1. Glazing security grade level shall be in accordance with ASTM F1915.

2. Bullet resistant glazing shall meet ballistics requirements of ASTM F1233 for weapons capable of concealment and UL 752 Level III, super power small arms. This glazing shall be low spalling or no spalling.

B. The level of glazing resistance to penetration or ballistic attack shall be consistent with the security level of walls and other building components in which it is located.

1. Where openings exceed five inches in one direction and are not protected by bar grille or woven rod:

a. Glazing in maximum security walls and doors shall be Security Grade 1 or better.

b. Glazing in interior security walls and doors shall be Security Grade 2 or better.

c. Glazing in interior partitions inside the secure perimeter shall be Security Grade 4 or better.

2. Glazing in control rooms shall be:

a. Security Grade 1 in master control room.

b. Security Grade 1 and bullet resistant where glazing separates a control room from a public area.

c. Security Grade 2 or better for other control rooms.

3. Glazing associated with visitation or magistrate areas that form a part of the secure perimeter shall be one of the following:

a. Security Grade 1 glazing with bar grille or woven rod.

b. Security Grade 1 glazing and bullet resistant.

c. Glazing in visitation between the public and inmate may be Security Grade 1 glazing supplemented by an additional secure perimeter wall with sally port enclosing the public side of the visitation area.

4. Security glazing panels shall be no larger than 36 inches by 48 inches unless located a minimum of seven feet above floor level.

5. Glazing security grade may be reduced one level if lowest portion of glazing is 12 feet above adjacent floor level.

6. Tempered or insulated glass or both may be used in openings five inches or less in one direction unless bullet resistant or contraband resistance is required, in which case glazing rated for such shall be used.

7. Glass security glazing or glass clad security glazing shall not be used unless required for fire rating or unless approved by the reviewing authority on a case by case basis for specific locations.

8. Plate glass, float glass, and other conventional glass other than wire or tempered glass shall not be used in any openings located within the secure perimeter or in any interior security walls, interior partitions, doors, or other openings within the area enclosed by the secure perimeter. Wire glass may only be used where required for fire rating purposes.

9. Tempered glass, if used, shall meet the requirements of (American National Standards Institute) ANSI Z97.1 Class A safety test or Consumer Products Safety Commission Category II safety test.

10. Where bar grille or woven rod is required to be used for windows, it shall be similar in design and constructed in accordance with bar grille or woven rod indicated in 6VAC15-81-930.

11. Where the frame or frame and mullions provide the security for the window opening, the maximum clear dimension of the opening shall be no more than five inches in one direction.

12. All openings, such as windows, louvers, clearstories, and skylights, penetrating the secure perimeter walls, floors, or roof shall be protected by bar grille or woven rod partitions constructed as required by subdivisions A 1 c (4) and A 1 c (5) of 6VAC15-81-930 when they are larger than:

a. Eight inches by eight inches; or

b. Five inches in one direction if the other dimension is larger than eight inches.

Exception: Glazed areas protected and located in accordance with subdivision 3 of this subsection.

13. To avoid tampering, removable glazing stops shall be applied, wherever possible, on the side opposite the inmate occupied area. Where stops are placed in an inmate area, they shall be secured with an ample number of strong, properly installed, tamper resistant fasteners of design required by 6VAC15-81-930 or approved by the reviewing authority. Junctions of horizontal and vertical glazing stops on the inmate side shall be welded to prevent removal of portions of stop members.

14. Exterior windows in security areas in new construction shall be fixed. Exception: In renovations where windows are operable, exterior windows in security areas that are capable of being opened shall have additional protection of heavy duty stainless steel, security wire contraband, and insect screen.