The creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is one of the most significant transformations in the Federal Government in decades, establishing a department whose first priority is to protect the nation against terrorist attacks. Within the DHS, the Directorate of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) is focused on ensuring that our nation is prepared for catastrophes, including both natural disasters and terrorist assaults.
Central to this mission is the protection of people and the critical infrastructure of the built environment. This Reference Manual to Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks Against Buildings provides guidance to the building science community of architects and engineers, to reduce physical damage to buildings, related infrastructure, and people caused by terrorist assaults.
The comprehensive approach to understanding how to improve security in high occupancy buildings will better protect the nation from potential threats by identifying key actions and design criteria to strengthen our buildings from the forces that might be anticipated in a terrorist assault. It is important to note that many of the methodologies in this publication have been adapted from other government sources and modified to meet the mission of the DHS. This allows for the effective transfer of decades of federal and Department of Defense research and experience to the broader building science community.
Risk Management Series: Reference Manual to Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks Against Buildings