SUPPORT AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(FAQs)
SD WINDOW FILM QUESTIONS
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What are the costs of deploying SD Technology?
Pricing is variable depending on the location of the installation and the volume of SD Technology required. Signals Defense maintains a published GSA pricelist of our products and services. By supplying us with a small amount of information about your facility (number of windows, sizes & location) our estimators can provide you both budgetary or a firm fixed price proposal. For more detailed pricing information, contact (410) 902-0356, contactus@signalsdefense.com or visit us at www.signalsdefense.com
is sd technology available outside the united states?
Yes. Signals Defense has secured numerous locations in over a dozen countries and has strategic partners to service our customers. For a listing of International partners, please visit our international distribution page.
Will SD Technology change the appearance or aesthetics of my building?
SD Technology was specifically designed to have a low aesthetic impact while maintaining the highest optical clarity and low reflectivity thus remaining virtually undetectable.
Is SD Technology available in an insulated glass?
Yes. SD Technology is available in a variety of glass and polycarbonate layups. SD polycarbonate can be deployed in ready-to-install secondary panels, laminated/insulated glass, and a variety of BR or FEBR units.
Where can I purchase SD Technology?
Signals Defense LLC, a Maryland based certified small business enterprise, is the sole source of patented SD Technology. Signals Defense, LLC is the sole source of patented SD Technology. Contact us directly for product and installation quote.
Signals Defense products can be purchased with green energy program funds.
I’m a government client or contractor, why should I use SD Technology?
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SD films and glazing products have helped convert unclassified or unsecure areas into secure areas. It is the written and de facto standard for US DoD and Intel Communities.
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Defeats both radio frequency and infrared eavesdropping threats, i.e., RF flood attacks, thermal imaging, laser microphones, “bugs”, etc. while providing RF doming and lowering RF signatures
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Optically clear with minimal aesthetic impact.
Is 2500/2510 ITAR restricted?
No 2500/2510 is not ITAR restricted. EAR99 only
Does your 2500/2510 meet SRWF standard per 12 FAH-5 for ANSI Z97.1 2015 (R2020)?
Yes, the base substrate of the SD2510 passes the impact ANSI Z97.1 2015 impact test. Custom or project-specific testing can be performed for an additional cost.
Do you have any blast-rated certifications or test results?
The base substrate of the SD2510 meets the GSA minimum anti-terrorism level 3b on 1/4″ annealed glass. Custom or project-specific testing can be performed for an additional cost.
Do you offer facility tours?
We are always open to meeting as our offices in Owings Mills, Maryland. Our products are not manufactured in the same location as our office.
ENERGY SAVINGS
How does SD Technology impact my window’s energy performance?
Due to SD Technology’s RF and IR rejection, it naturally provides the highest solar energy rejecting, optically clear film, glass or polycarbonate available. Some clients have procured using energy in lieu of their security budgets. It can contribute to your LEED certification, and provide energy ROI.
Does Window Film Stop Fading?
While it may not be the be-all, end-all solution to all the causes of fading, it can protect it from UV rays. We wrote a detailed blog post about this subject here.
RF/EMI SHIELDING
How does your SD film compare to other 'RF Films'?
There are many window films (and glass coatings) on the market which contain sputtered or coated metalized layers. These coatings provide a variety of appearances and primarily, solar energy performance and/or low emissivity. Some of these products have begun to be re-branded or marketed as “RF Films”. While any conductive metal coating may inherently provide some amount of RF attenuation, this is typically an accident or unintended side-effect of the coating.
Since these products were built for energy performance and not RF/IR security, they contain many gaps or weaknesses in their frequency coverage. Any film or coatings being used specifically for RF/IR security should have been tested to the ASTM F3057 method to confirm its performance across the proper RF spectrum. This method requires a large window be tested with hundreds or thousands of test points.
Any film or coating only tested to “IEEE-299” will not contain complete data, as only a minimum of 6 data points are required, from a very small sample. In addition, IR performance curves should be verified prior to proceeding with any commercial solar-control coating.
How can SD Technology help with RF/EMI Sheltering?
- Signals Defense provides high RF rejection protection against electromagnetic interference to both equipment and people. Threats include any facility operating in “RF hostile environments” i.e., major metropolitan areas; co-located to transmission towers, etc. This can be applicable to all entities including financial, corporate, legal, medical/hospital environments, RFID protection, sensitive equipment protection, etc.
INSTALLATION
Do you PROVIDE INSTALLATION TRAINING/CERTIFICATION for Signals Defense films?
Signals Defense does not currently offer installation training or certification.
We have approved installers that we manage for CONUS work. We can mobilize internationally or refer you to one of our international dealers.
GROUNDING
Do you have product/system recommendations for grounding SD Film?
Currently, there is no ‘manufacturer-recommended’ basis-of-design or solution for grounding SD Film. The accrediting official who is requesting the grounding should ultimately provide the means and methods on how they want it done and where.
What performance improvement is expected by grounding vs not grounding SD Film?
Only the accrediting officials should weigh-in on the need to ‘ground’ SD film, as only they are privy to individual project requirements or needs (i.e. what actual performance is required, how is it being tested, what are the threats, what performance improvement is expected by grounding vs not grounding.
COST
WHAT IS THE COST OF YOUR SD FILM?
Many factors go into ta complete proposal including film type, location, window sizes, quantities, etc. We don’t publish fixed price lists; however, you should expect an average range of $30-$60 per square-foot for projects over 500 square feet.
SAFETY / HEALTH
WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M SENSITIVE TO ALL RF?
Signals Defense does not make any medical claims that our films will make you less sensitive to RF.
*SD Films have not been tested for health purposes.
WILL YOUR FILM KEEP ME HEALTHY/HELP ME SLEEP BETTER?
Signals Defense does not make any medical claims that our film will keep you healthy or sleep better.
*SD Films have not been tested for health purposes.
RESIDENTIAL
ARE THERE OTHER RF PRODUCTS THAT MAY HELP REDUCE THE RF IN MY HOME?
We are a distributor of rFoil NT Ultra radiant barrier foils and EMCoat RF paint and can provide you with a quote. You would have to check your local area for a professional installer.
CAN I BUY YOUR FILM AND INSTALL IT MYSELF?
DAS Shield and SD500 are available for purchase and personal install. You can order by emailing us at contactus@signalsdefense.com and provide us with the following information:
- Product
- Number of windows and sizes or total square feet
- Shipping address
- Credit card information
SD1000/SD1010 and SD2500/SD2510 products are priced by the amount of square feet plus installation by a certified Signals Defense installer.
CAN I GET AN ESTIMATE FOR SD FILM AND INSTALLATION AND WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEEED ABOUT MY HOME?
Yes, we would be happy to provide you with a quote and would need the following information:
- Number and sizes of windows
- Address
- Type of glass
- Choice of film
Please allow up to 5 days for a quote.
building safety
Our films help to protect many vulnerable areas of your building’s envelope. This FAQ section answers many of your questions.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BULLETPROOF GLASS AND BALLISTIC RESISTANT GLASS?
There is no such thing as bulletproof glass. Ballistic glass, or bullet resistant glass, is engineered to stop one or several high-impact projectiles that strike it, but its effectiveness dramatically decreases after the initial hit. Eventually, ballistic glass will give when fired upon repeatedly, regardless of its rating (more on this below).
We wrote an entire blog about this and you can read more here.
Decorative Films
Should we use decorative film or custom glass in our office?
You can read more in our blog post about this exact topic here.
OFFICE LOCATION
3 Easter Court
Suite L
Owings Mills, MD. 21117