Protecting students and staff should be one of your top priorities as a school administrator. Creating a safe space for learning isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a legal requirement for Harlingen, TX, school districts. 

As part of its security mandates under 19 TAC §61.1031, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires schools to reinforce any glass permitting entry to the campus. 

A common way that schools are meeting that directive is through projectile-resistant film. While it won’t make glass completely unbreakable, it will significantly delay any forced entry and give first responders more time to respond to active threats.

At Circle Industries, we’ve helped schools throughout the state meet these rigorous standards using turnkey installations, thorough documentation, and ongoing support. 

SEE ALSO: Help Students Thrive in a Safer Space With 24/7 Monitoring 

What Does The TEA Require?

As part of the 19 TAC §61.1031 amendment regarding school safety, instructional facilities must reinforce all glass near exterior doors or on ground floors that could provide access to the campus. The School Safety Standards Formula grant even set aside funding to help schools pay for their upgrades.

As part of the upgrades, schools needed to obtain professional documentation demonstrating the steps taken to meet the requirements for future Safety and security audits. Though the law does not explicitly say how the glass should be reinforced, entry-resistant film has been the most economical approach for Texas schools. 

How Does Projectile Resistant Film Meet Compliance

The minimum standard for reinforcing glass is 2-millimeter solar film. That is hardly enough to make a real difference in child safety. Instead, an entry-resistant film is 8-14 millimeters thick and provides much greater protection in high-occupancy areas. 

The film alone is not enough. As part of our installations, we also include wet glazing using structural silicone to bond the film to the metal frame. Otherwise, intruders could kick the pane out of the frame to gain entrance. 

The goal is to prevent human breaches through broken glass. The barrier sticks together to resist hammers, bricks, and projectiles. It also reduces the risk of debris during storms.

Keeping Your School in Compliance

Even if you installed film when the law first went into effect, you may still not be compliant. Security should never be a set-it-and-forget-it solution. The law requires biannual (twice-yearly) inspections to ensure the film hasn’t been compromised. 

That’s because the South Texas heat can cause the film to bubble or yellow over the years. Deep surface scratches from maintenance tools or student interference can also affect the film’s performance. Finally, we look for any cracks in your wet glaze seal during inspections. If needed, we’ll add a new film or reseal your glass.

We help you build a safer future for our communities by keeping your campus in line with the latest TEA standards. From helping you secure funds to ongoing maintenance, we help you keep your campus fully compliant. To speak with our security specialists, fill out our contact form or call us directly.