Stadium Bulletproof Architecture for Improved Security

28 July 2018
Comments Comments Off on Stadium Bulletproof Architecture for Improved Security
28 July 2018, Comments Comments Off on Stadium Bulletproof Architecture for Improved Security

Stadiums and arenas, whether used for sporting events, big concerts, other entertainment events, or combinations of all those, require special attention when it comes to safety and security. Why? For the simple reason of how many people may be in attendance. These venues range in size from the recently completed Allianz Field soccer stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota with its 19,400-seat capacity to the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (home of the Arizona Cardinals NFL team) with its 63,400-seat capacity and the gigantic Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan with its 107,601-seat capacity. Any time you pack tens of thousands of people into one area, it poses significant safety and security risks. One way to address these concerns is by incorporating stadium bulletproof architecture into the design phase of new construction or major renovation projects.

What are the Security Risks at Stadiums?

In recent years, the most attention has been paid to the wide range of accidents that happen in stadiums, from spectator falls to stray baseballs and hockey pucks that fly into the stands. Another major concern revolves around riots and stampedes when thousands of people all try to get out of the venue at the same time. The good news is that active shooter incidents are surprisingly rare at stadiums and arenas.

The not-so-good news is that gun violence doesn’t even need to happen inside a stadium to cause a potential disaster. For example, at the 41,000-seat Nationals Park in Washington, DC (home of the Washington Nationals MLB team), a shootout occurring just outside the stadium’s third-base gate during a game on October 17, 2021, caused panic in the stands. Luckily, there were no casualties or serious injuries. Even more recently, toward the end of game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals at the 18,000-seat capacity Fiserv Forum arena in Milwaukee on May 13, 2022, a shooting incident outside the arena caused chaos and panic. While no deaths occurred, this incident resulted in 21 people being injured.

This aligns with insurance industry professionals who assess risks and threats at these kinds of venues. “Areas outside the stadium are soft targets… The parking lot, the ticketing and access areas and even the metro transit areas where guests mingle before and after a game are targeted more often than inside” (source).

Creative Industries Bulletproof Products for Stadiums and Arenas

As highlighted above, the most common application of products made by Creative Industries are various bulletproof windows that facilitate staff selling tickets to customers attending an event at the venue, including the following:

Those are standard products, but every venue is different and may have unique needs we can address. All of our standard products can also be customized to best suit the application. We will work with any stadium or arena to understand the needs and provide guidance in selecting the right products to meet those needs as cost-effectively as possible. And if it’s a new construction project, we are available for consulting on stadium bulletproof architecture during the design phase to ensure the highest level of safety and security.

Bulletproofing is Just One Aspect of Stadium Safety and Security

It’s wise to incorporate bulletproof glass in the form of windows and related products to provide protection against gun violence inside and outside stadiums. But stadium bulletproof architecture and retrofitting are just one aspect of overall stadium safety and security. Planners and managers must consider terrorist attacks in the form of explosive devices or active shooters, forced entry attacks, biological or chemical attacks, and food or water contamination, both anti-terrorism strategies and evacuation protocols need to be included in a comprehensive plan. Leveraging modern technology is another area of focus, including integrated video monitoring, metal detectors, gunshot detection, bullet-resistant barriers, and so on.

It is also crucial to focus on security measures beyond the actual event itself. The window of time leading up to an event and the time following an event are also important. If effective protection barriers are not in place, this leaves a gap for potential crime and violence to take place on the premises. The risk of danger does not start and stop at the entrance to the event. Security precautions must be taken around the event site as well. Crowds often congregate in parking lots, bars, restaurants, and hotels near the stadium or arena, so the security envelope should cover these areas as well. Also, by being proactive and working with the surrounding businesses, events can ensure their neighbors are taking proper precautions, have added protection, and can communicate potential threats and suspicious behavior.

Effective planning, security, and reaction procedures are critical for staff to respond quickly and recover from security threats. Analyzing each possible scenario and training the staff on how to respond to each incident can greatly improve the outcome of each occurrence and help keep both employees and patrons safe.

Creative Industries: A Trusted Partner for Safety and Security

Some of our best work on display is shown on the Portfolio page of our website and has been at various stadiums and arenas. Check out the following:

At Creative Industries, we’ve been in the business of helping all kinds of facilities and businesses achieve greater safety and security for their operations, their employees, and the public since the 1970s. We love to collaborate on projects, regardless if it’s during the architectural design phase or during renovations and retrofitting. Your protection needs and concerns can be identified and resolved through our experience and knowledge of incorporating the best bulletproof products into your stadium or arena. Start the conversation by getting in touch through our Contact Us page or by calling us directly at 800-776-2068. We look forward to connecting with you!