United States federal building security
Encyclopedia
United States federal building security refers to the security of federal government installations in the United States. A variety of measures are undertaken to make the buildings safer, while preserving an "open" architecture consistent with democratic governance. This includes glass glazing
to reduce the potential for injuries from shattering glass; greater standoff distance
s implemented by preventing unscreened traffic from approaching within a certain distance of the building; and measures to prevent progressive collapse
of buildings.
in 1995, the government classified all buildings into five security levels and established minimum security requirements for them.
or CIA Headquarters. A Level-V building should be similar to a Level-IV building in terms of number of employees and square footage. It should have at least the security features of a Level-IV building. The missions of Level-V buildings require that tenant agencies secure the site according to their own requirements.
, FBI, and DEA
), the Federal courts, and judicial offices, and highly sensitive government records.
Glazing
Glazing, which derives from the Middle English for 'glass', is a part of a wall or window, made of glass. Glazing also describes the work done by a professional "glazier"...
to reduce the potential for injuries from shattering glass; greater standoff distance
Standoff distance
Standoff distance is a security measure that focused on preventing unscreened vehicles from approaching within a certain distance of a building. It is intended to deter truck bombs by making it more difficult for them to cause catastrophic damage. In the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, many...
s implemented by preventing unscreened traffic from approaching within a certain distance of the building; and measures to prevent progressive collapse
Progressive collapse
A building undergoes progressive collapse when a primary structural element fails, resulting in the failure of adjoining structural elements, which in turn causes further structural failure, similar to a house of cards....
of buildings.
Security levels
In the wake of the Oklahoma City bombingOklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19...
in 1995, the government classified all buildings into five security levels and established minimum security requirements for them.
Level V
These buildings contain mission functions critical to national security, such as the PentagonThe Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
or CIA Headquarters. A Level-V building should be similar to a Level-IV building in terms of number of employees and square footage. It should have at least the security features of a Level-IV building. The missions of Level-V buildings require that tenant agencies secure the site according to their own requirements.
Level IV
This type of building has 451 or more federal employees; high volume of public contact; more than 150000 square feet (13,935.5 m²) of space; and tenant agencies that may include high-risk law enforcement and intelligence agencies (e.g., ATFBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
, FBI, and DEA
DEA
DEA is the commonly used acronym for the Drug Enforcement Administration, a United States law enforcement agency.DEA or Dea may also refer to:- Organizations :* DEA , UK development education charity...
), the Federal courts, and judicial offices, and highly sensitive government records.