TSA Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport ... - ACConline.org

PART III – RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES
SECTION A – LAYOUT & BOUNDARIES
When utilizing fencing as a security boundary, care must be taken to ensure that the provision of
fencing does not conflict with the operational requirements of the airport. Access points must permit
passage of authorized vehicles and persons with relative ease. While the number of access points
should be kept to a minimum, adequate access points must be planned for routine operations,
maintenance operations, and emergency operations. For further information on fencing access points
see Gates on page 29 or Guard Stations on page 31.
To assist in surveillance and security patrol inspection, keep fences as straight and uncomplicated as
possible. This will minimize installation and maintenance costs.
Wind is often an issue when designing chain link fencing to be instrumented with intrusion detection
sensors, including wind-induced fence motion caused by proximity of fencing to runways. A taut
fence fabric is often required under such circumstances.
Effectiveness of fencing in critical areas can be improved by anchoring or burying the bottom edge of
the fence fabric to prevent it from being pulled out or up to facilitate unauthorized entry. Use of
concrete mow strips below the fence line and/or burying the bottom of the fence fabric can also deter
tunneling underneath the fence by persons and animals. Mowing strips may also reduce security and
maintenance man-hours and costs.
For safety or operational reasons (e.g. presence of navigational systems) some sections of perimeter
fencing may not be able to meet standard security specifications. Special surveillance or detection
measures may need to be applied to improve the safeguarding of these areas.
More specific information on fencing materials and installation, including the use of barbed wire
outriggers, is available in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5360-13, Planning and Design Guidelines for
Airport Terminal Facilities; and Advisory Circular 150/5370-10, Standards for Specifying
Construction of Airports, among others.
In summary, fences are the most basic first line of deterrence and defense. There is excellent guidance
available from the Chain Link Manufacturers Institute, including detailed technical and procurement
guidelines and specifications such as the Security Fencing Recommendations..
2) Buildings
Buildings and other fixed structures may be used as a part of the physical barrier and be incorporated
into a fence line if access control or other measures to restrict unauthorized passage through the
buildings or structures are taken at all points of access. Whether those points are located on the airside
or landside boundaries, or perhaps through the middle of such buildings, may be dependent upon the
nature of the business being conducted inside, and the level of continuous access required by
personnel.
3) Walls
Walls are one of the most common types of physical barriers. Various types of walls are used for
interior as well as exterior security boundary separation. In addition, walls play an important part as
visual barriers and deterrents.
a) Interior Walls
When interior walls are to be used as security barriers, consideration should be made to the type,
construction material used, and their height. When possible, security walls should be full height,
reaching not just suspended ceilings, but complete floor to ceiling or slab.
Interior walls may be used as part of the security boundary, with appropriate attention paid to
maintaining the integrity of the boundary and the level of access control to a degree at least equal to
that of the rest of the boundary.
b) Exterior Walls
While typically not as economical as chain link fencing, the use of exterior walls as physical barriers
and security boundaries is frequently necessary. Walls provide less visibility of storage or secured
areas and can be matched to the surrounding architecture and buildings. In addition, some varieties
of exterior walls are less climbable and thus more secure than security fencing or other barriers that
offer hand-holds.
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May 3, 2006
Recommended Security Guidelines for
26 Airport Planning, Design and Construction