SUPAGLASS SECURITY AND SAFETY MEASURES UP TO GOVERNMENT REPORT

Vehicle crime costs the country £3 billion and accounts for a fifth of all crime. Half of such crime involves theft from cars - 80% via the side or rear windows. A new report* by transport research specialists TRL on behalf of the DETR (Department of Environment, Transport and Regions) finds that "advances in alarm and immobiliser systems have had some effect in reducing the theft of entire vehicles but the steps necessary to improve the resistance of glazing to illegal entry have not kept pace with these developments."

This is why Pentagon has developed SupaGlass, its award-winning vehicle window impact protection system.

The report shows that it is likely that a delay in entry of 10 seconds or more would deter a potential thief. Toughened glass provides 2 seconds resistance to attack; laminated glazing 20 to 30 seconds.

But SupaGlass provides up to 90 seconds resistance, says Thatcham, the vehicle security auditors. This is more than the TRL found for laminated glass and much more than other security films. That's why SupaGlass is the only security film to have earned accreditation from Thatcham.

In relation to safety, the TRL report said that tests on laminated glass indicated its potential for a 'severe' degree of lacerative injury, producing disfiguring and possibly debilitating injuries. SupaGlass averts the risk of this type of injury by acting as a protective layer between vehicle occupants and shattered glass - whether laminated or toughened.

Normal car glass	SupaGlass treated
SupaGlass reduces risk of laceration

In the event of an accident requiring an emergency exit through the window, the report found that broken laminated glazing could be removed by pushing it with the feet. Broken SupaGlass protected glazing can be pushed out with the feet or hands in complete safety.

The risk of fatal or serious injury is increased between 3 and 40 times if the occupant is partially or fully ejected. SupaGlass-protected glazing can be pushed out when broken.

Normal car glass	SupaGlass treated	SupaGlass treated window can be pushed out

The TRL report states that "it is certain that laminated glazing would reduce the number of partially and fully ejected occupants."

SupaGlass has proven to be particularly effective - and without the side effect of laceration - in serious accidents.

SupaGlass is the result of a three-year development project by Pentagon's research group. Pentagon Managing Director, David Thomas, says: "In determining the thickness of SupaGlass, we conducted extensive testing. This showed us conclusively that in order to enable toughened glass to resist either heavy objects thrown at a window or indeed resist the opportunist smash-and-grab thief we had to improve thickness, adhesive strength and visual clarity. SupaGlass meets our minimum criteria on all three elements. And best of all, SupaGlass simply makes car glass safer."

In awarding Pentagon 'Vehicle Safety Company of the Year 2001' the Institute of Transport Management found that SupaGlass:

• Offers protection to occupants from injury through broken glass
• Eases escape through glass in the event of an accident
• Provides an effective defence against bricks and other missiles
• Is specially designed to resist vehicle break-in and to maintain glazing integrity against violent impact
• Increases resistance of even toughened glass
• Protects uninsurable on-board company assets
• Avoids expensive retrofitting because it can be applied to existing vehicle glass
• Avoids expensive downtime due to loss of essential tools and equipment
• Reduces the risks and costs of vehicle crime generally

The Institute further found that SupaGlass "reduces the risks and costs of vehicle crime and is a wise investment for any fleet manager."

Ref: Institute of Transport Management: John Connors, External Affairs Director.

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