Levels of bullet resistance are tested and classified according the internationally recognized EN 1063 standard. It regulates testing procedures for bullet-resistant glass (BR glass) in nine different classes, ranging from BR1 for projectiles fired from .22 caliber handguns to SG2 for high-powered hunting shotguns.
Ballistic classes BR5 to BR7 require testing with long weapons such as the American M16 rifle or the NATO G36 and G3 rifles. That means these classes provide protection from powerful weapons that are effective and precise at long distance. To qualify for BR5, for example, bulletproof glass must withstand the impact of a projectile traveling at 950 meters per second – over 3,400 km/h.
The following table shows the weapons and ammunition types used for testing bullet-resistant glass in accordance with EN 1063.
| Resis tance class | Type | Calibre | Bullet | Test condition | |||
| Type | Mass [g] +/-1 | Energy [Joule] | Shot distance [m] +/-0.5 | Impact speed [m/s] +/-10 | |||
| BR1 | Gun | .22 LR | L/RN | 2.6 | 168 | 10 | 360 |
| BR2 | Handgun | 9 mm Luger | FJ1)/RN/SC | 8.0 | 640 | 5 | 400 |
| BR3 | Handgun | .357 Magnum | FJ1)/CB/SC | 10.2 | 943 | 5 | 430 |
| BR4 | Handgun | .44 Rem. Magnum | FJ2)/FN/SC | 15.6 | 1,510 | 5 | 440 |
| BR5 | Gun | 5.56 x 453) | FJ2)/PB/SCP1 | 4.0 | 1,805 | 10 | 950 |
| BR6 | Gun | 7.62 x 51 | FJ1)/PB/SC | 9.5 | 3,272 | 10 | 830 |
| BR7 | Gun | 7.62 x 514) | FJ2)/PB/HC1 | 9.8 | 3,295 | 10 | 820 |
| SG1* | Shotgun | Shotgun12/70 | Lead shotgun shot5) | 31 | 2,734 | 10 | 420 |
| SG2** | Shotgun | Shotgun12/70 | Lead shotgun shot5) | 31 | 2,734 | 10 | 420 |
* one shot, +/- 0.5 g, +/- 20 m/s | L Lead | PB Pointed bullet | |||||
Firing tests in accordance with EN 1063 are conducted on a 500 x 500 mm sample of the bullet-resistant glass to be tested, secured in a frame.
The pane is subjected to three shots in the center, forming an equilateral triangle with each side measuring 120 mm. The angle of impact is 90° and the firing distance is 5m or 10m, depending on the resistance class.
To qualify for a given ballistic class, the bullet-resistant glass must stop the projectile – penetration is a failure of the test.
If no glass splinters emerge on the protective side, the ballistic glass receives the additional rating NS (no splinters). If splintering does occur on the protected side of the impact-resistant glass, the word "splinters" is added to the test result.
