UL 752 vs NIJ vs ASTM F1233
Bullet-resistant materials will be advertised using various standards which they meet. These standards are represented using numerous acronyms that may appear to be a random assortment of letters and numbers. That is why we’re here to explain the three main standards and how they can be applied.
UL 752
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) independently certifies ballistic materials from a construction standard. UL752 “Standard for Bullet-Resisting Equipment” includes both standalone products and entire fixtures. To meet this standard the material must prevent complete penetration including fragmentation of the material which could cause harm to someone standing behind it.
UL 752 is the “gold standard” in bullet-resistant materials. It is the most nuanced and often updated, leading to a 10-level scale for grading. Levels 9 and 10 are only used for military application, but levels 1-8 are outlined below.
NIJ
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is primarily known for its body armor standard (NIJ Standard 0108.01). If a company says they “meet the requirements of NIJ 0108.01”, it means they have done independent testing using the methods in the NIJ guidelines. “NIJ compliant” means the product was tested by NIJ themselves and will be listed on their NIJ Compliant Products List database, although this is only available for body armor.
Most builders prefer UL752 over the NIJ standard due to it being more up-to-date, more specific, independently verified, and construction-focused.
ASTM F1233
ASTM International is a group of scientists who since its founding in 1898, have published over 12,000 globally recognized technical standards. They cover an array of products, systems, etc. although it is important to note ASTM is not involved in any way with enforcing compliance with its standards. ASTM F1233 focuses on forced entry and is impacted tested using a combination of blunt, sharp tools, torches, and exposure to gasoline and acetone. The test has two levels, failure allowing the passage of a 1/8” diameter object (contraband) and failure allowing the passage of a 5” by 8” rectangular object (a person). Unlike UL752 or NIJ, which work on a tiered scale, ASTM works on a pass/fail grading scale.
Which one is best for me?
UL752 is best for construction making it the standard you want to see on any bullet-resistant materials you install in your building.
NIJ is best for body armor and should be considered when purchasing body armor for your resource officers.
ASTM is a useful tool when testing products for situations where an attacker will try to force entry, useful for entryways and hallways.
In Conclusion…
For any product, you consider purchasing, remember to look for certification and product listing. Many companies will attempt to use self-testing, or general 3rd-party testing as a means to award themselves a certification. Cross-check every NIJ or UL752 certification a company claims to have with each standard’s database. If the company is not listed in the UL or NIJ database, the testing was not overseen by the appropriate group.
The UL752 listing for LifeShield+ products can be found by searching for its manufacturer, Ballistic Barrier Products, in the UL752 database or by clicking this link to view their certification.
