Sussex Academy Security Film Project
Hardening a Delaware charter school's vulnerable glazing with 3M Safety & Security film and a structural attachment system — roughly 4,000 sq ft across multiple buildings, phased around the academic calendar over several years.
Sector
K-12 Charter School
Scope
~4,000 sq ft across multiple buildings
Timeline
Phased over extended school break
Project Overview
Sussex Academy engaged Shore Tint & More to evaluate and harden the school's most vulnerable glazed openings — entry vestibules, lobby sidelights, and adjacent storefront glazing. The objective was to substantially delay a forced-entry attack on glass and retain fragments to give staff and students critical seconds during a lockdown event.
Shore Tint & More led the assessment, specification, board-ready documentation, and phased installation. The work was sequenced to avoid disruption to school operations and completed within the originally proposed budget envelope.
Client Background
Sussex Academy is a publicly chartered K-12 school serving students from across Sussex County, Delaware. Like many Delaware schools, it was reviewing its facility against the priorities reflected in Delaware's school security glazing law (Title 14 §2306) and broader school-safety best practice.
Challenges
- Multiple ground-floor glazed openings with line-of-sight to occupied corridors.
- Existing glass not laminated and not rated for forced-entry resistance.
- Active school calendar with limited windows for installation.
- Need for board-ready documentation aligned with Delaware Title 14 §2306 priorities.
Security Objectives
- Delay a forced-entry attempt long enough for lockdown procedures to fully execute.
- Retain glass fragments under impact to protect occupants from flying shards.
- Maintain daylight and visibility — no change to glass appearance.
- Strengthen entry-area security posture consistent with the priorities in Delaware Title 14 §2306.
Recommended Solution
After a full vulnerability assessment, Shore Tint & More specified 3M Safety & Security window film applied daylight on all targeted openings, bonded to the frame with a structural attachment system. C-Bond strengthening was specified at the highest-risk openings for additional impact resistance.
This combination hardens the openings Delaware's school security glazing law prioritizes without replacing the existing glass — delivering rapid deployment, minimal disruption, and substantially lower lifecycle cost than full glazing replacement.
Products Used
- • 3M Safety & Security Window Film — 8 mil and 14 mil
- • Solar control and privacy film on selected glazing
- • 3M Impact Protection Attachment System (structural silicone)
- • C-Bond strengthening agent at designated high-risk openings
Technical Specifications
Film Thickness
8 mil and 14 mil safety/security film
Additional Films
Solar control and privacy film
Attachment System
3M IPA wet-glaze structural silicone
Glass Substrate
Annealed and tempered float glass
Standards Referenced
ASTM E1886/E1996; Delaware Title 14 §2306
CSI Section
08 87 13 — Security Window Films
Project Scope
- • Buildings: multiple campus buildings, treated over several years
- • Applications: safety/security film (8 mil and 14 mil), solar control film, privacy film
- • Approximate filmed square footage to date: 4,000 sq ft
- • Engagement: ongoing multi-year relationship with the school
- • Schedule: phased over extended school break
Installation Process
- Pre-install walk-through with facilities and SRO.
- Daily site protection: floor coverings, dust control, lockable tool storage.
- Surface prep and glass cleaning to OEM spec.
- Film application with edge-trim tolerances per 3M specification.
- Wet-glaze attachment cure-time monitoring.
- End-of-day clean-down and security check.
- Final QA walk and warranty registration.
Results
- • All targeted vulnerable openings hardened to specification.
- • Zero classroom disruption — full sequencing around school calendar.
- • Board-ready compliance documentation delivered.
- • Project completed within original budget envelope.
Security Benefits
- Delays forced entry through glazed openings
- Retains glass fragments under impact
- Mitigates flying-shard injuries
- No visible change to building appearance
- Faster lifecycle than full glass replacement
- Addresses the entry areas prioritized by Delaware Title 14 §2306
Lessons Learned
Three takeaways from Sussex Academy apply to nearly every Delaware school project: (1) the assessment phase is where the real work happens — most districts overspec or underspec by 20–40% without it; (2) phasing around the calendar is non-negotiable; (3) board-ready documentation is what unlocks funding, not glossy brochures.
Why This Matters for Other Delaware Schools
Sussex Academy's playbook — assess, prioritize, phase, document — translates directly to public, charter, and private schools across all three Delaware counties. The product set is the same; the schedule and funding mechanics are what change district to district.
Project Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was installed at Sussex Academy?
3M Safety & Security window film paired with a structural attachment system, with C-Bond strengthening at the highest-risk openings. Exact film grade is documented in the project specification on file.
How long did the installation take?
The project was phased over an extended school break to avoid disruption to classes. Daily site protection and end-of-day clean-down protocols were followed throughout.
Does the film change the appearance of the glass?
The clear safety film used at Sussex Academy is virtually invisible. From inside or outside the building, the glass looks unchanged.
What standards does the installation meet?
The film and attachment system are tested to ASTM safety-film standards and address the entry-area hardening priorities reflected in Delaware's school security glazing law, Title 14 §2306.
Is the installation covered by a warranty?
Yes. The 3M Safety & Security film carries a manufacturer warranty, and Shore Tint & More backs the installation with a workmanship warranty.
Can other Delaware schools get the same package?
Yes. We provide complimentary security glazing assessments and a board-ready report for any Delaware public, charter, or private school. Contact us to schedule.
Authored & Reviewed By
Cody Becker — School Security Glazing Consultant
Documentation From This Project
The same 3M documentation we hand Delaware school districts.
3M Safety Glazing Segment Card
PDF Data CardHow safety film helps glass meet safety-glazing requirements in schools and public buildings.
Download3M Forced-Entry Protection Overview
PDF Data CardAttack testing, delay times, and film-plus-attachment system basics.
Download3M Scotchshield Ultra S800 — Spec Sheet
PDF Spec SheetFull technical performance data for the Ultra S800 safety and security film.
Download3M Ultra S800 — Warranty
PDF WarrantyManufacturer warranty coverage for Ultra Series safety and security film.
DownloadRequest a Delaware School Glazing Survey
Board-ready report with opening-by-opening recommendations and a phased budget — at no cost to your district.