A guide to bullet resistance: Exploring UL levels 1-10

If a ballistic threat occurs, it happens in seconds and there’s no time to wonder whether your materials are up to the task. Bullet-resistant systems should do more than look secure; they must be tested, proven, and matched to the risks at hand. That’s the purpose of UL 752.

UL 752 is the industry standard for classifying ballistic resistance in architectural components. With ten distinct levels, each defined by the caliber, velocity, and type of ammunition a material can withstand, it provides a foundation for specifying protection. The difference between level 1 and level 10 isn’t just thickness or cost. It’s the kind of threat your system is expected to stop.

UL 752 Level by Level

Level 1 – Protection Against 9mm Handguns

• Ammunition: 9mm FMJ, 124 grain

• Velocity: ~1,175 fps

• Threat Profile: The most common caliber used in civilian handgun incidents

• Applications: Retail counters, vestibules, school entrances, ticket booths

• Notes: Frequently used in public-facing spaces where aesthetics and visibility matter. Assemblies include laminated glass or polycarbonate integrated into commercial storefront framing.

Level 2 – Protection Against .357 Magnum

• Ammunition: .357 Magnum JSP, 158 grain

• Velocity: ~1,250 fps

• Threat Profile: Higher velocity revolver rounds with greater penetration

• Applications: Healthcare reception areas, pharmacy service windows, financial counters

• Notes: Often specified for environments with increased robbery risk. UL 752 level 2 offers stronger resistance than level 1 without requiring rifle-rated materials.

Level 3 – Protection Against .44 Magnum

• Ammunition: .44 Magnum SJHP, 240 grain

• Velocity: ~1,350 fps

• Threat Profile: One of the most powerful commonly available handgun rounds

• Applications: Banks, courthouses, secured public service areas

• Notes: Utilized for locations with high-value assets or elevated public confrontation risk. UL 752 level 3 is often selected when maximum handgun protection is needed.

Level 4 – Protection Against .30-06 Armor-Piercing Rifle

• Ammunition: .30 caliber AP, 166 grain

• Velocity: ~2,850 fps

• Threat Profile: Long-range, high-velocity, armor-piercing rifle fire

• Applications: Military recruitment centers, sensitive government offices, border control sites

• Notes: Introduces rifle-level resistance, capable of stopping armor-piercing rounds. Assemblies typically incorporate steel strike faces and composite cores.

Level 5 – Protection Against 7.62mm Rifle Fire

• Ammunition: 7.62mm NATO FMJ, 150 grain

• Velocity: ~2,750 fps

• Threat Profile: Automatic and semi-automatic rifles like the AK-47

• Applications: Police stations, utility command centers, secured data rooms

• Notes: Commonly used where tactical threats or organized attacks are a concern. UL 752 level 5 is suitable for areas requiring deterrence and genuine stopping power against rifle fire.

Level 6 – High-Velocity 9mm (Submachine Gun)

• Ammunition: 9mm FMJ, 124 grain (increased velocity)

• Velocity: ~1,400 fps

• Threat Profile: Automatic fire from submachine guns such as the Uzi

• Applications: Embassy lobbies, customs inspection zones, high-security transaction points

• Notes: Intended for environments where compact automatic weapons present a realistic threat. Performance depends on the increased energy of the round rather than caliber.

Level 7 – Protection Against 5.56mm Rifle Fire

• Ammunition: 5.56mm FMJ, 55 grain (AR-15/M16)

• Velocity: ~3,250 fps

• Threat Profile: Tactical rifles with high-velocity projectiles

• Applications: Law enforcement headquarters, telecommunications control hubs, emergency operations centers

• Notes: Materials rated for UL 752 level 7 must absorb extremely high-energy impacts. Systems include reinforced glazing, steel framing, and mechanical anchoring.

Level 8 – Sustained 7.62mm Rifle Fire

• Ammunition: 7.62mm NATO FMJ, 150 grain (five shots)

• Velocity: ~2,750 fps

• Threat Profile: Sustained fire from military-grade rifles

• Applications: Military compounds, fortified guard posts, tactical command centers

• Notes: Engineered to remain intact under multiple direct hits. Frequently used in environments where prolonged or coordinated assaults are a credible concern.

Level 9 – High-Energy Armor-Piercing Rifle Threat

• Ammunition: .30-06 M2 Armor-Piercing

• Velocity: ~2,850 fps

• Threat Profile: High-penetration military rounds designed for armor defeat

• Applications: Nuclear regulation sites, weapons storage vaults, defense contractor facilities

• Notes: Rarely needed in commercial settings. UL 752 level 9 materials are typically custom-built for hardened infrastructure.

Level 10 – Protection Against .50 BMG

• Ammunition: .50 caliber FMJ, 660 grain

• Velocity: ~3,000+ fps

• Threat Profile: Anti-materiel rifles capable of defeating engine blocks and reinforced barriers

• Applications: Military bunkers, hardened defense zones, national security infrastructure

• Notes: The highest level of bullet resistance defined under UL 752. These systems are heavy, thick, and require specially designed support structures.

Matching Protection to Risk

Effective specification begins with understanding the real-world threats a facility may face. The reliability of any bullet-resistant system lies in the integration of its parts. Materials alone don’t provide protection unless they’re designed to perform together and meet the appropriate UL 752 levels.

Considerations should include:

• Type of threat: Handgun, rifle, armor-piercing, or sustained attack

• Building type: Public-facing, restricted access, or critical operations

• Location: Crime rate, protest activity, or terrorism risk

• Design constraints: Weight, framing compatibility, transparency requirements

Successful planning depends on a clear understanding of threats, operational needs, and how systems work together.

Achieving Protection Through UL 752

UL 752 serves as a framework for designing security systems that respond directly to the threats a facility is most likely to encounter. Each level of UL 752 provides a tested benchmark to help professionals select materials that work in concert, ensuring doors, frames, panels, and glazing are rated consistently and integrated as a unified system.

Action Bullet Resistant offers engineered solutions designed to meet UL 752 standards.

Visit our website now to discover more about our bullet-resistant defense products, including our ballistic panels and  bullet-resistant windows and doors. Together, we can build environments that prioritize bullet resistance and stand ready against real threats.