Sherwin-Williams has established a new Security Coating Systems business unit to develop and distribute coating technologies that provide detection, mitigation and protection to individuals and infrastructure from threats arising from accidental or intentional explosions. To enhance the development of this business, Sherwin-Williams Security Coating Systems has entered into an equity ownership position and an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement with Life Shield Engineered Systems of Salisbury, MD.
Life Shield Engineered Systems develops and manufactures patent pending Life Shield blast effect mitigating panel systems for buildings and vehicles. Certain aspects of Life Shield’s technologies have been designated as Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology and have been granted a Designation under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act) and the regulations adopted pursuant to the SAFETY Act. The Life Shield panel system technology is a result of a cooperative development effort by a consortium of companies led by Sherwin-Williams and Life Shield Engineered Systems.
Life Shield Engineered Systems and Sherwin-Williams have conducted numerous blast tests with several U.S. government organizations and private testing firms to develop and verify the performance of Life Shield panel systems. These tests have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Life Shield panel systems to mitigate the effects of a blast when installed on the inside of the exterior wall of a new or existing building. The Life Shield panel system meets or exceeds blast specifications required by the Department of State and the U.S. Government Service Administration (GSA) for government buildings.
Additional tests have been conducted using Life Shield technology to mitigate the effects of roadside blasts from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to protect vehicle occupants. The key advantage of this “hardening” approach is its lightweight and ease of installation versus traditional metallic armament solutions, eliminating costs and weight problems while speeding installation, according to the company.
Sherwin-Williams plans to commercialize these and other force protection related coatings products in worldwide applications where risk assessment has determined additional protection from accidental or intentional explosive threats is warranted. The Life Shield panel systems can be used in structures such as government and commercial public access buildings and high-risk industrial applications.
U.S. Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-MD) said of the Life Shield panel system technology, “This innovative technology offers great promise for securing any facility vulnerable to a terrorist attack. In this post-9/11 world, new technologies such as these will prove invaluable in our efforts to protect the lives of American citizens both at home and abroad.”