Protecting against terrorist bomb attack

By Corus Bi-Steel

Providing security for the nation and for its citizens remains the most important responsibility of government - (National Security Strategy, March 2008). Following the announcement of the UK’s first National Security Strategy, Dr Jurek Tolloczko, General Manager of Corus Bi-Steel, discusses the need to boost levels of physical security in order to provide protection against attack. He also examines how physical protection can be made less intrusive to blend in with the surrounding environment.

Security in today’s world
The current threat level from terrorist attack in the UK remains at ‘severe’ – highlighting that the possibility of an attack is a constant reality. Several initiatives have been taken by the UK Government to prepare for and counter the increasing terrorist threat. This has involved formulating a security strategy and setting up specialist agencies, notably the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).

In March 2008 the National Security Strategy was published. The strategy highlights the need to “protect the United Kingdom and its interests, enabling its people to go about their daily lives freely and with confidence, in a more secure, stable, just and prosperous world”, and provides a comprehensive framework that Britain will adopt to meet the security challenges of today’s world.

Amongst a number of measures, the Strategy emphasizes the need to protect buildings, crowded places and the people who frequent them from terrorist attack, by enhancing the resistance of buildings and structures, by working with security professionals, planners and architects to ‘design in’ safe areas and blast-resistant materials to enhance physical protection against vehicle bomb attacks.

Combating the terrorist threat
Protective security measures ranging from barriers around the perimeter of a site, to security features built into the facade of a building, can all reduce the threat from a vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack, a method increasingly being used by terrorist organisations.

Enhancing protection of our critical national infrastructure such as ports, airport and rail stations, along with key public and commercial buildings, sports stadia and other places where people gather together in numbers is high on the agenda. Previously, security measures have been installed mainly at Government sites, but awareness of this is growing within the private sector along with a greater understanding of its responsibility to protect the public from the effects of a terrorist attack. Local authorities also have an added responsibility to assess the measures they have taken to protect against terrorism.

With the realisation that broader security measures are required, three key issues have emerged:

• The demand for aesthetic security solutions
• The integration of protective security into the facade of new structures
• The need to adopt a ‘security by design’ approach

Security aesthetics
Whilst protective security measures must be 'fit for purpose' in terms of their blast and impact capabilities, versatility of the scheme and the aesthetics of the completed installation are now also critical. Today's solutions need to fit with the surrounding architecture and environment, as well as being straightforward and easy to install. Particularly for public places, such measures need to provide security, whilst maintaining access, to enable the public to go about their business freely and with confidence.

No one wants to live in fortress Britain! A pragmatic and sensible approach is required. Sometimes only small measures may be sufficient, depending on the perceived threat and profile of the target. For example, minimal security is more appropriate for a low profile building outside the city centre, as opposed to an iconic structure requiring higher levels of protection.

In the first instance, effective perimeter and stand-off protection are key to minimising the possibility of attack by VBIED, and to mitigating the effects of explosive blast. This means installing an appropriate anti-attack vehicle protective solution, which may consist of permanent bollards or walls, or redeployable barriers.

Corus has developed a range of permanent solutions to address the ongoing terrorist threat by providing high levels of stand-off and site perimeter protection at security sensitive locations. Bi-Steel bollard and wall systems meet the performance standards of PAS 68:2007, the accepted UK classification system for vehicle security barriers and their supporting foundations when subjected to horizontal impact. The systems have been carefully designed to blend aesthetically into the local environment and can be painted, clad in brick or stone, or cement rendered in keeping with the surrounding streetscape.

Corus Bi-Steel also has a redeployable system, designed to meet the requirements for rapid, temporary deployment, effective vehicle stopping and protection of people and assets. A robust system, it can be quickly deployed with minimum disruption, typically on a short or medium term basis, providing an ideal solution for protecting crowded places and security sensitive events. These barriers have already been used to protect the Palace of Westminster, New Scotland Yard, Stansted Airport and other locations of strategic infrastructure.

Integration of protective security into the facade of new structures
An increasing number of buildings are being designed to incorporate structural security features that are able to resist explosive blast or reduce the damage caused from detonated devices. The primary objective is to stop vehicles from penetrating the facade of the building. These measures are required where street furniture (such as bollards, planters and security walls) cannot be used for perimeter protection, as the required stand-off distance is not available outside of the premises to be protected – this is often the case in tight city centre locations.

A range of measures can be employed to achieve this objective, from reducing the amount of glazing or including high performance toughened glass, through to the integration of blast resistant materials such as Bi-Steel within the fabric of the structure. These measures can be concentrated around the main access points, or focused on protecting key physical assets such as operationally critical facilities, including control rooms, IT suites and power supplies.

Security by design
The concept of ‘security by design’ should be at the heart of all the countermeasures described above. Prevention is always better than cure, and the inclusion of the appropriate blast protection security at the conceptual design stage will ensure protection for the building and those who use it. There are several ways this can be achieved. For instance, carrying out comprehensive risk assessments that evaluate the potential threat will allow security to be considered early on. Intelligence gathering and the comprehensive layout and planning of a site is a major benefit in attempting to deflect an attack. Measures can also be taken to disguise the most vulnerable areas of a building so these do not attract the full force of an attack.

The latest countermeasures include a greater consideration of building orientation and layout as well as landscaping. Security, design and construction professionals have a responsibility to ensure they understand how such factors can influence the level of protection provided and to fully consider appropriate security measures at the initial design stage for new structures.

Moving forward
The industry can’t have secrets about security! To ensure adequate protection, the challenge now facing the UK is one of disseminating the existing knowledge of blast protection techniques from an inner circle of experts to a wider audience.

The publication of the National Security Strategy is a major milestone in our efforts to combat terrorism and mitigate the effects of any terrorist bomb attack. This document consolidates policy, approaches and advice into one formal publication and emphasizes the importance of providing robust physical protection against explosive attack to protect people and property. The task now is for security and construction industry professionals to work with clients to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to meet this challenge.

Dr. Jurek Tolloczko is General Manager for Bi-Steel, part of Corus, with responsibility for Defence and Security. He has been involved with blast and fire engineering for over 20 years and has a wide range of practical experience of how to design structures to protect against accidental and deliberate explosive attack.

For further information, contact:
Nicola Davies
Marketing Manager, Corus Bi-Steel
T: +44 (0) 1344 751670, E: , W: www.corussecurity.com/bi-steel