Volume 9
Champions Edition certain date meet a new standard for construction and building design that incorporates features within the design to reduce the effects of terrorist activity .
All existing buildings could be brought into compliance over time when certain parameters are met ; i . e ., change in usage , increase in floor space or during major renovation projects .
With the focus on developing Smart Cities we ’ ve been implementing ordinances that require buildings and neighborhoods to meet CPTED principles . Couldn ’ t the same hold true for antiterrorism ( AT ) strategies ?
5 Key Antiterrorism Categories
That said , I think we could reduce these antiterrorism ( AT ) principles into five general categories ;
• Maximize stand-off distances
• Reduce flying debris hazard
• Prevent progressive collapse
• Limit airborne contamination , and
• Provide mass notification
I admit there would be additional costs involved in implementing these concepts , but those costs can be greatly reduced if they were incorporated during the design phase , instead of being added at the end of a project , as currently is the normal process for including security features in a project .
I ’ m not advocating that all buildings should be built to a new higher standard , a standard that reduces the effects of terrorist attack and in particular , active shooter incidents and vehicle borne improvised explosive devices , but I do think that buildings that have high population densities , i . e ., government offices , nightclubs , public buildings , shopping malls , theaters , etc ., above a certain population density threshold should .
Unfortunately , there have been far too many terrorist attacks around-the-world – shouldn ’ t we have learned something from them ?
( Learn About Haines Security , courtesy of Security Engineering and YouTube )
About the Author Doug Haines , owner of Haines Security Solutions , LLC ( HSS ), is a United States Air Force veteran with over 45 years of law enforcement and security related experience , which includes teaching building design principles to architects , engineers , facility managers , planners , and security professionals .
Doug Haines , Owner of Haines Security Solutions
HSS specializes in conducting quantitative risk and vulnerability assessments of federal , state and local facilities worldwide and other security related consulting services .
HSS also develops security criteria , conducts entry control point and security forces manpower studies , drinking water systems and critical energy infrastructure risk / vulnerability assessments , and develops , plans and conducts table-top and full scale antiterrorism , force-on-force , emergency response and disaster preparedness exercises .
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