What is Martyn’s Law, and Why Does it Matter?

If you’ve ever watched the news, it’s easy to see the damage that flying broken glass can cause after an explosion. Whether it’s an accidental explosion (common in manufacturing plants), or a deliberate terrorist attack, explosions cause destruction wherever they touch. That destruction goes far beyond the immediate site, or the cost of the glass itself. It can ruin entire premises, businesses and in the worst-case scenario, lives. That’s why Martyn’s Law is being brought in. But what is it, and what on earth does it have to do with signage? 

What is Martyn’s Law? 

Martyn’s Law is a piece of legislation that will be brought into law later in 2024. It’s known as Protect Duty Legislation, which puts a duty of care on the owners and operators of certain locations to be adequately prepared for and protected from terrorist attacks. In other words, if you run a business in a publicly accessible place, you now need to meet higher standards of protection and security against potential terrorist activity.  

It’s a law that’s been a long time in the making. It was developed in response to a series of terrorist incidents in the UK – including the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, which tragically killed 22 people. The mother of one of the victims, Figen Murray, was the one to spearhead a campaign that demanded better security measures in public places, and it’s largely thanks to her that we have this law.   

But it’s not just the grief of a mother that drove lawmakers to pass Martyn’s Law. Statistics show that 34 terrorist plots have been foiled since March 2017, with 7 of those being late-stage plots uncovered since March 2020. It’s not just something you see on TV happening in other countries – it’s a very real threat that is sitting on our doorstep. 

But what does this have to do with signage? Why are we talking about terrorists? 

One of the enhanced security measures that’s required of any business that can host over 100 people is to use practical measures to reduce risk. And that means protection from shattering glass.  

The Dangers of Shattering Glass 

Glass is a beautiful thing to look at. It’s a practical building material and is often used in commercial premises as a partition as well as in windows and doors. But in the event of a terrorist incident like a bomb, it can cause a lot of damage. The high pressure of the air blast that comes through a broken window after a bomb explodes is so intense that it can cause eardrum damage and lung collapse. As that air blast damages the building in its path, glass can be shattered and become projectiles. Airborne glass fragments can cause penetration and laceration injuries that can sometimes be fatal. The more glass there is in the building, the more risk there is of injury. 

The Solution: Safety & Security Window Films 

When Martyn’s Law comes into effect, any business or venue that can host over 100 people needs to be able to provide enhanced protection from things like shattering glass. Now you could opt to replace all of the glass in your buildings with a shatter-proof alternative, but that would mean shutting down your business and potentially spending millions of pounds doing it. Bigger businesses might, but it just isn’t a practical option for smaller businesses.  

So instead, you could coat your glass surfaces with window films that fortify surfaces and enhance privacy. There are various types of safety & security window films, such as bomb blast, anti-shatter, solar & privacy. Anti-shatter and bomb blast window films are thin sheets of film that create a ‘safety net’ that strengthens the glass and holds shards of glass in place upon impact, if it does break, preventing the risk of injury. 

They can be applied to any flat glass surface, providing instant protection from terrorist incidents or even just common vandalism. The films are easy to install, they can be cut to any shape or size, and they are completely clear, so you can still see through them. Best of all, they’re an inexpensive way to make sure you’re complying with Martyn’s Law and keeping your visitors safe. 

When Does Your Business Need Stay Safe Films? 

Since the law hasn’t actually come into play yet, a lot of businesses are putting off installing window films and taking other measures. But proactive is always the best policy. On top of keeping you compliant with the new laws, there are 3 other reasons businesses should invest in window films: 

Protection against crimes: Glass windows and doors are the most vulnerable part of your business’s building, which means they’re a prime target for thieves and vandals. Alarm and security systems provide protection, your windows and doors are still a point of entry. And while a burglar can break a window in under 10 seconds, window films can delay entry by over 5 minutes. Even if they hit it multiple times, glass with security film can withstand it and hold together. 

Protection against storms: Storms are becoming a lot more common in the UK, and they often leave a trail of destruction behind. Stay Safe films are a great way to protect your premises and everyone inside (even if you can’t be there) no matter how bad the weather gets. 

Improve safety for your business: It’s not just criminals that can damage your premises. Trees falling, hail, children playing – all sorts of things can cause accidental damage and break a window. Having a Stay Safe film installed means that if accidents do happen, your windows and doors are held together even if the glass does shatter. This stops the glass from flying, which will protect your business, employees and customers from broken glass.  

At Signwrite Studios we take safety very seriously, which is why we recommend solutions like safety & security window films to any of our clients looking for glass manifestations or other forms of glass signage. If you’d like to find out more, just get in touch with the team today and we’ll be happy to help. 

For more information on What is Martyn’s Law, and Why Does it Matter? talk to Signwrite Studios Ltd