Introduction

• Author: Vasilis Karlos - Martin Larcher
• Pages: 5-5

5

1!Introduction

The guidance drafted at the current document provides a methodology for securing buildings against intruders,

terrorists and other physical threats that try to intrude or gain access to a vulnerable asset. The focus is on the

introduction of concepts that are applicable to the design of building security and aim in protecting people and

property by enforcing a securi ty perimeter. An asset’s secured perimeter can be consider ed as the first line of

defence in a multi-layered protection scheme.

More specifically, the first chapter of the document is dedicated to providing a robust and usable risk

assessment process against terrorist threats. The proposed assessment approach is focused on buildings and

other built facilities that are considered the exposed asset and classify them in terms of potential impact and

probability of occurrence. The threat of terrorism is characterized by great uncertainties, so a full quantitative

assessment is impossible. Nevertheless, a first step is attempted in providing a semi-quantitative method, which

in combination with qualitative parts, may decrease the subjectivity of a risk analysis based solely on expert

judgement.

The next chapter contains general principles and recommendations concerning the application of external blast

actions on structures and structural components and should be used in conjunction with the Eurocodes [EN1990,

2005] and [EN1991, 2001]. The provided load parameters are valid for close-in, intermediate-range and far-

range detonations. Explosions are extremely complex phenomena and are characterized by a great number of

uncertainties concerning the type, location and mass of the explosive device, the blast parameters, the

environmental conditions etc. Blast-resistant and protective design focus on techniques for limiting and

mitigating the damage after an explosive attack and increasing the chances of survival of the occupants. The

structure or structural component under attack should still be able to fulfil their original design purpose, as with

the applied design approaches the loading is reduced to acceptable levels. For adopting these design

approaches, the calculation of the blast loading parameters to be inserted in the analysis is a prerequisite. Since

a procedure for estimating these parameters is missing in the Eurocodes, the recommendations that comprise

the current guide attempt to fill this gap, along with suggestions on mitigation measures.

Subsequently, advice regarding the protection from attacks that use vehicles to breach the security perimeter

of a facility is provided. A growing number of vehicle ramming attacks have been recorded in the last years,

showing a tendency in using vehicles as a weapon to target the public or gaining access to sensitive facilities.

The popularity of such attacks is attributed to their easy planning, the direct accessibility to a variety of vehicles

and the minimal required expertise. A structured approach is proposed in selecting, installing and using vehicle

protective security barriers, that guarantees the adoption of tailor-made measures instead of ‘one-size-fits-all’

solutions.

A chapter als o sheds light to key issues and possibilities that are provided by the proliferation of new digital

technologies. A synthesis of the most recent and efficient digital security systems that can be integrated to

setting up and maintaining a building security perimeter is provided. The decisive role of the installed software

in taking full advantage of the capabilities of the installed system is underlined, as well as the challenges faced

in the harmonic cooperation when multiple security systems are employed.

The last chapter is dedicated to the malicious use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), a relatively new security

threat for sensitive buildings. Weaponised UAS have already been used by terrorist groups outside Europe and

there is a rising concern that similar tactics may be used for targeting infrastructures and public events. This

risk becomes greater as the number, payload, operating range and speed of commercially available UAS is

rapidly increasing, while their cost is decreasing. Up to now protecting a sensitive building from a terrorist attack

or other forms of intrusi on, comprised of setting up a physical security perimeter, access control systems and

adopt an engineering design capable of mitigating mainly ground attacks. The fast increase of the worldwide

number of UAS and their simple and remote piloting capabilities clearly demonstrates the need to be considered

during the establishment of a holistic building security scheme.