What Level Of Bullet Resistance Do Transaction Drawers Offer?
![]() ![]() | 20 May 2025 |
Public-facing environments often face the greatest security challenges at the transaction point, where people, payments, and sensitive materials come together in a single exchange. In high-risk or high-value environments, that barrier often includes a bullet-resistant transaction drawer. These units must balance everyday usability with ballistic protection. The question is, what level of bullet resistance do they actually offer?
Defined by UL 752 standards, the level of bullet resistance a transaction drawer provides is determined through ballistic testing. Such ratings define how effectively a transaction drawer can withstand firearm threats and help determine which protection levels are most appropriate for different environments.
Security You Can Measure: Understanding UL 752 Ratings
UL 752 is the industry standard for classifying ballistic resistance in security products. It evaluates materials based on their ability to withstand bullets fired from specific types of firearms at controlled velocities. For most commercial and civic facilities, transaction drawers are built to comply with one of three levels:- Level 1: Designed to resist 9mm full metal jacket rounds at approximately 1,175 feet per second. Common in retail counters, pharmacies, and medical service windows, a level 1 rating is ideal for facilities with lower threat exposure.
- Level 2: Built to stop .357 Magnum jacketed soft point rounds traveling around 1,250 feet per second. Frequently used in gas stations and late-night retail operations, it provides a stronger deterrent where the likelihood of violent confrontation is higher.
- Level 3: Rated for .44 Magnum lead semi-wadcutter gas-checked rounds moving at about 1,350 feet per second. Typically selected by banks, government offices, and dispensaries, this level offers robust protection in environments where threats are more likely and consequences are more severe.
Matching Drawer Ratings to Real-World Risk
Choosing the correct level of bullet resistance depends on an honest evaluation of your facility’s operating environment. Each rating is designed to match a particular level of risk:- Level 1: Appropriate for settings with minimal cash handling and limited exposure to public conflict. Examples include suburban pharmacies, clinics, or internal corporate kiosks.
- Level 2: Well suited to businesses that operate during late hours or in areas with higher crime rates. Gas stations, drive-thru quick-service locations, and high-turnover retail environments often fall into this category.
- Level 3: Intended for locations where security is a non-negotiable part of the operation. Banks, courthouses, and dispensaries require protection that accounts for both valuable inventory and regulatory demands.
A Transaction Drawer’s Role in Facility Security
Transaction drawers are small in scale but essential to the larger picture of physical security. Within many layouts, they form the only direct point of interaction between staff and the public. That moment of exchange carries risk, especially when cash, sensitive documents, or prescriptions are involved.An appropriately rated drawer reinforces the separation between public and secure areas. It helps maintain control, delays potential threats, and provides critical time for staff to assess a situation. In tense circumstances, that combination of security and functionality allows operations to continue with confidence rather than chaos.
Designed for Performance: Armortex Transaction Drawers
Armortex builds transaction drawers as part of a broader suite of security solutions designed to meet the exacting demands of high-risk settings. As specialists in ballistic and blast-resistant systems, we focus on solutions that support both safety and operational flow. Our product range includes compact designs like the SS4 D, mid-range options such as the SS10DD, and heavy-duty models like the 6003. These are all engineered for specific use cases and transaction volumes.Key features include:
- Steel construction tested and certified to UL 752 specifications
- Smooth, reliable slide mechanics that enhance transaction speed
- Secure locking systems to prevent tampering
- Weather-resistant components for exterior installations
- Stainless steel options for environments requiring sanitary finishes.
Optimizing Security with Bullet-Resistant Transaction Drawers
The decision to install a bullet-resistant transaction drawer reflects an investment in safety, efficiency, and peace of mind. Armortex designs each unit to deliver certified ballistic protection while supporting the pace and structure of daily operations. With the right fit, a transaction drawer becomes a trusted extension of your facility’s ability to serve the public while protecting the people behind it, consistently and confidently, with every operational detail carefully considered.@armortex #armortex #safety #security #bulletresistant #architect #remodel #windows
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