Protective Glazing for Sports Facilities — UNIALGLASS Expert Column in RUБЕЖ
UNIALGLASS CEO Anton Anikanov wrote an expert column for RU БЕЖ magazine on blast-resistant glazing for sports facilities as an underrated element of anti-terrorism protection. We publish the key points of the article.
Why glazing is a critical factor
In an explosion, fragments of ordinary glass are the main cause of mass casualties: the glass shatters into thousands of fragments flying at high speed, with an injury effect at a distance of up to 50 metres from the epicentre. Most sports facilities built before 2015 have ordinary tempered glass with no anti-shatter protection.
«The amendments to Government Decree No. 202, which entered into force on 3 April 2025, focus on minimising the consequences of terrorist attacks at sports facilities. However, blast-resistant glazing is not specified as a separate mandatory requirement — this is a serious gap», — notes Anton Anikanov.
Which protection classes are recommended
For facilities with mass occupancy, UNIALGLASS recommends laminated glass constructions of protection class SB2(D), which withstand a blast of up to 3 kg of TNT equivalent: 100% of fragments are retained on the protective base. Such glazing is created by laminating several layers of glass with special polymer interlayers or liquid components.
- Blast-resistant glazing not only retains fragments but also suppresses the blast effect by dispersing the shock wave front;
- For VIP zones and control rooms — combined solutions of class SB3–SB4 with fire resistance EI/EW 30–60: protection against both blast and subsequent fire;
- Demand is growing for glazing that combines blast resistance, fire resistance and bullet resistance for especially critical zones.
Cost and lead times
The cost of blast-resistant glazing is not much higher than a good-quality, ordinary multifunctional insulating glass unit (IGU). For a category 2 sports complex with a glazed area of 1500–2000 m², the additional cost is 5 to 15 million roubles, and for large category 1 stadiums — up to 100–200 million roubles. Manufacturing and installation lead time is 1 to 6 months, depending on the volume.
According to UNIALGLASS estimates, the market for blast-resistant glazing for sports facilities could grow by 35–45% in the coming years, provided a clear regulatory framework is in place.
Conclusion
Blast-resistant glazing is not an optional extra but a critically important element in minimising the consequences of terrorist attacks. The investment involved is comparable to the cost of video surveillance and access control systems, but its effectiveness in protecting human lives is significantly higher.
The full version of Anton Anikanov's expert column is available in RU БЕЖ magazine: «Protective glazing: an underrated element of anti-terrorism protection for sports facilities».
