In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., the federal government’s General Services Administration [GSA] initiated a security standard for buildings housing government agencies. Included in the standard for the higher security-risk agencies was a requirement to install fragment retention film on building windows.

Prior to 9/11, the film had been installed in parts of the Pentagon. When American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the western façade of the building, windows on the peripheral of the crash scene, protected by shatter resistant window film, held in place.  This proof of the effectiveness of security window film was the impetus for GSA including window protection in its building security initiative.

In the nearly 20 years since 9/11 and the flurry of security window film installation activity in Washington and elsewhere, the warranties on some of the film by the manufacturers are running out.  This does not mean the film is not still effective. Rather, in the event of a catastrophic event impacting a building with security film installed that is no longer under warranty, liability issues could surface. Specifically, if any of the windows protected by the film failed, causing injury or death to a building employee or visitor, the ramifications would be significant.

Recently, a number of property management companies and building owners with GSA tenants have taken the initiative to remove their older security window film and install new film. As manufacturer warranties continue to expire over the next five to 10 years, the number of security window film replacement projects are expected to grow.

Not all security window film installation companies are expert in both removing old film – an arduous task – and installing new security film. If you are a general contractor, property management company or building owner seeking to replace your out-of-warranty security window film with new film, seek out a window film installation company experienced in both.