FAQ Category: Blast Resistant

I have a specification that references “UFC 4-010-01 Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings”. What type of doors are required to meet this spec?

The Department of Defense created the referenced document to provide a minimum level of protection from blast forces from acts of terrorism. The door assemblies offered by SDI members are specifically engineered and certified for these applications, with a wide variety of blast resistant capabilities. In order to supply the correct door assemblies, you will need to know the PSI/MSEC value (pounds per square inch / millisecond). This is a value that has been calculated by a blast consultant, and would be expressed as a numerical value, i.e. 50 PSI/MSEC. The higher the value the more blast force the opening is designed to withstand. Matching that value to a manufacturer’s certification will allow you to select the correct door, frame, glazing and hardware configuration.

Note: There are many other blast resistant specifications in addition to UFC 4-010-01. Please also keep in mind that the version of the specification is critical, particularly with the UFC 4-010-01 specification.

Can blast resistant doors have glasslights?

Yes, the primary focus of the Department of Defense’s Unified Facilities Criteria is to protect against injury from architectural glazing, so many SDI member companies have certifications for doors with glasslights.

Can blast resistant doors have veneers?

There is nothing in the standards that prohibit veneers, but they would have to be documented within the manufacturer’s certification to ensure that they pose no hazard to the building’s occupants.

What criteria should I look at when specifying a blast door?

To properly specify the desired blast resistance for a door assembly, the following information needs to be provided:

  • Peak blast pressure — such as 5 psi.
  • Either the blast duration (e.g., 60 milliseconds) or blast impulse (e.g., 150 psi-msec).
  • Direction of blast pressure loading (i.e., either seated or unseated).
  • Acceptable level of post blast event damage: typically limited to Response Categories I, II or III. In general terms, these ratings correspond to (I) no permanent damage, (II) permanent damage but the door remains operable, and (III) more severe damage with the door being inoperable after the blast.