This demand has been going on for two years, with a rebound two months ago by the latest violent acts, according to representatives of companies dedicated to this activity.
Felipe Reyes, general manager of the company Blindex Armored Protection, explains that in other times this service aroused interest only in strong economic groups, however, today everyone sees vehicle armoring as a valid security option.
It is worth noting the differences that exist between security sheets, bulletproof glass and integral armoring of the vehicle. Imrgard Eggeling, manager of the Blingard company, points out that the sheets They can be used for attacks with spark plugs and certain blows, but They do not resist firearm projectiles. Another big difference of the sheets is that they are only placed on the glasses, while armor covers most of vehiclewith emphasis on protecting the entire passenger compartment, including doors, roof and other vulnerable parts of the vehicle such as engine, battery, tires.
Protection levels
The shielding level must be selected according to the client’s risk profile and the type of crime to which it is exposed; to determine the level of protection there are International Ballistic Standards applicable such as UL 752, NIJ National Institute of Justice (United States), DIN 52290 (Germany), EN (European), among others that catalog the ballistic resistance of armor and according to the level of protection indicate what type of weapons and their respective ammunition must stop.
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In our setting, the most sought-after shields are levels II and III. The classification with respect to ballistics are Level II Plus and Platinum (protects against robberies with short and medium range weapons, calibers 3.57 Magnum, 9 mm and lower); Level III A (high specification armor designed to protect against attempted kidnapping or assault in urban areas with medium and high power weapons, 0.44 Magnum caliber, 9 mm and smaller caliber machine guns); Level IV (maximum protection designed to counteract attacks or kidnappings in urban or rural areas with long-range weapons (M16 – Galil 7.62 x 39 NATO rifles and below); Level V AP (superior armor of the highest specifications for protection against 7.7 ammunition .62 AP and below).
Armored or bulletproof glass
Regarding this type of crystals, They generally range from 14 mm to 65 mm thick; the elements that make them up are float glass, polyvinyl butyral, polycarbonate, polyurethane, among others; its formulation varies according to each manufacturer. Felipe Reyes, representative of Blindex, explains that in the manufacturing process the elements at high pressure, temperature and vacuum with specialized equipment, thus obtaining an extremely resistant glass, as long as the quality and origin of the materials used come from high-tech industries and world-renowned. “This will guarantee the quality of the final product,” says Reyes, a spokesperson for Blindex.
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The representative of Blingard agrees, who states that the thickness of the glass depends on the formulation of each manufacturer and the certification for each type, which guarantees the level of protection to resist. (YO)
Upon impact, the first layers break and absorb the kinetic energy of the bullets (withstand the impacts and decrease the force and speed of the bullets), the projectiles deform and become trapped in the penultimate layers inside the armor package.
Imrgard Eggeling, manager of the Blingard company
costs
Armor prices vary based on the level of ballistic resistance, materials, and coverage areas on the vehicle; these go from $13,000 to $60,000.
Time
The process of armoring a vehicle can take between 25 and 60 business days.
What does the law say?
The Organic Law of Land Transport, Transit and Road Safety (LOTTTSV) nor does its regulation mention any prohibition on the armoring of vehicles, however, the reform 2021 of the LOTTTSV It expresses about the safety sheets that dark ones that prevent visibility from the outside are prohibited, with the exception of vehicles whose manufacture and homologation allows it; official vehicles for use by public authorities or ex-authorities that have the police report that Justify the level of risk and the need for such permission for security measures.
Article 196.a. Tinted windows, antisolar films and security sheets.
I know prohibits the circulation of vehicles with tinted windows, with dark antisolar films, or security sheets that prevent visibility from abroad, with the exception of vehicles whose manufacture and approval allows it; official vehicles for use by authorities or former public authorities that have a Police report that justifies the level of risk and the need for said permit due to security measures. . The permit granted by the National Agency for the Regulation and Control of Land Transport, Transit and Road Safety must be strictly for the vehicle used by the persons indicated above and will in no way be extended to other vehicles of the institutions they represent.
The aforementioned permit may also be granted to persons who, due to health problems, are justified by the respective medical certificate endorsed by specialized doctors from the Ministry of Health, the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, and the highest authority of the International Organizations accredited in Ecuador, under conditions of reciprocity, and of the legal persons legally authorized to provide the value transport service, which obtain authorization from the National Agency for the Regulation and Control of Land Transport, Transit and Road Safety.
The National Agency for the Regulation and Control of Land Transport, Transit and Road Safety will keep a record of the permits for the use of tinted windows or with dark anti-sun films that have been legally authorized, which will serve as an online query by the servers in charge of the control of land transport, transit and road safety. The permit for the placement of tinted windows or with dark antisolar films granted by the National Agency for the Regulation and Control of Land Transport, Transit and Road Safety must observe the requirements set forth in the specific regulation issued for that purpose and will have an annual duration. It is the obligation of the drivers of the aforementioned vehicles to carry the indicated permit.
Article 391.- Sixth class traffic violations.- It will be sanctioned with a fine equivalent to ten percent of a unified basic salary of the general worker.
11. The person who drives a vehicle with windows with dark, tinted antisolar films or any type of adhesive that impedes the visibility of the driver, except those authorized in the corresponding regulation or whose original tinting is from the factory.
Source: Eluniverso
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