Unit Objectives

Identifysite planning concerns that can create, 
reduce, or eliminate vulnerabilities and 
understand the concept of “Layers of Defense.”

Recognizeprotective issues for suburban site 
planning.

Comparethe pros and cons of barrier mitigation 
measures that increase stand-off or promote the 
need for hardening of buildings at risks. 


Unit Objectives

Text Box: References
FEMA Building Vulnerability Assessment Checklist, Chapter 1, page 1-46, FEMA 426
Site and Layout Design Guidance,Chapter 2, 
FEMA 426
FEMA 430, Site and Urban Design for Security, Guidance Against Potential Terrorist Attack
Unit Objectives

Text Box: References
FEMA Building Vulnerability Assessment Checklist, Chapter 1, page 1-46, FEMA 426
Site and Layout Design Guidance,Chapter 2, 
FEMA 426
FEMA 430, Site and Urban Design for Security, Guidance Against Potential Terrorist Attack
Layers of DefenseFEMA 452, Figure 2-2: Layers of Defense, p. 2-3

Layers of Defense

First Layer of Defense (Uncontrolled)
..Personnel Access Control
..Vehicle Access Control & Inspection
..Vehicle Stand-offHigh Security BuildingThird, Second, and First Layers of Defense 
(Controlled)
..Personnel Access Control
..Vehicle Access Control
..HardeningSecond Layer of Defense (Controlled)
..Personnel Access Control
..Vehicle Access Control
..Vehicle Stand-off

Text Box: Survey Surroundings
Access Points
Layout / Site Considerations
Barriers / Bollards / Fencing
Gatehouses / Screening
Sidewalks and Curbs
Street Furniture
Yards and Plazas
Roadways
Parking
Signage
Security Lighting
Sensors / CCTV
Site Utilities
Survey Surroundings / Data 
Collection

..360 degrees -all 
directions
..Overhead and underground 
utilities and structures
..Use GIS and local authorities 
to understand surroundings
..Buildings
..Infrastructure
..Geographic/topographic 
elements


First Layer of Defense

FEMA 426, Figure 2-1: Example of Using GIS to Identify 
Adjacent Hazards, p. 2-5



First Layer of Defense

Access Points
..Have commercial vehicle 
gates if possible
..Provide traffic calming
..Avoid high speed approaches
..Control angles of approach
..Prevent unauthorized access
..Avoid traffic queuing
..Have equal security capacity 
for exit

FEMA 426, Figure 2-15: Combined Multi-User Gate, p. 2-37

Text Box: Access Points
Second Layer of Defense

Text Box: The following considerations can have an impact in the layout site design:
Clustered versus dispersed facilities / functions
Orientation
Siting and view relationships
Second Layer of Defense

FEMA 426, Figure 2-2: Clustered versus Dispersed Site Layouts, p. 2-8

Text Box: Layout/Site Considerations
Second Layer of Defense

Text Box: Layout/Site Considerations
Second Layer of Defense

FEMA 426, Figure 2-5: Blocking of Site Lines, p. 2-20

Text Box: Siting and View RelationshipsText Box: Layout/Site Considerations
Second Layer of Defense

FEMA 426, Figure 2-11: Applicationof Perimeter Barrier Elements, p. 2-28

Text Box: Barriers/Bollards/Fencing
Text Box: First/Second Layer of DefenseSource: YodockWall CompanySource: YodockWall Company

First/Second Layer of DefenseBarriers/Bollards/Fencing-Active

First/Second Layer of Defense

Text Box: Rotating Drum, Drop Arm, and Rotating Plate Vehicle Barriers
Department of State periodically issues list of manufacturers and 
model numbers certified in meeting prescribed testing criteria 
(March 2003)

Check site utilities, water runoff, and other subterranean

conditions when installing bollards and barriers

Rating

Vehicle Weight 
(lbs.)

Vehicle Speed 
(mph)

Distance Past 
Barrier (ft)

K4

15,000

30

<= 3.3

K8

15,000

40

<= 3.3

K12

15,000

50

<= 3.3



Text Box: First/Second Layer of Defense
Text Box: Barriers, Bollards, and Fencing
First/Second Layer of DefenseBarriers, Bollards, and FencingRetractable

Text Box: If well designed, planters can be an element of beautification
Ensure barriers are properly anchored to stop vehicles and configured to reduce fragmentationText Box: Barriers, Bollards, and Fencing
Text Box: Avoid designing barriers that impair access by first responders:
Intersection with driveways and gates
Crossing of pedestrian paths and handicapped ramps
Fire hydrants
First/Second Layer of DefenseBarriers, Bollards, and FencingLong expanses of bollards should 
be carefully designed and sited 
to avoid monotonyBollard spacing should 
ensure no vehicles can 
get through

First/Second Layer of DefenseBarriers, Bollards, and FencingFencing•Delineates layer of defense•Demarcates stand-off required•Provides access control•Augments existing security•Channels vehicle/pedestrian 
traffic•Enhances electronic security

First/Second Layer of Defense

Text Box: Access control with human intervention 
Hardened as determined by threat
Protection from elements
Located to minimize queuing
First/Second Layer of Defense

Text Box: Sidewalks and CurbsText Box: Creating stand-off in lieu of hardening is usually less expensive
High curbs can keep vehicles from departing roadway
Do not remove curbside parking unless additional stand-off absolutely required

First/Second Layer of Defense

An alternate to visible 
barriers/bollards/fencing is 
collapsible sidewalks using 
low-strength concrete 

Sidewalks and Curbs



First/Second Layer of Defense

Text Box: Street Furniture
First/Second Layer of Defense

Text Box: Street Furniture
Second Layer of Defense
..Buildings with 
front yards
..Buildings with 
plazas

Second Layer of Defense

Small yard with wide pavement that 
provide some useful stand-off

Narrow yard incorporating low 
stone wall and metal fence

..Generally small
..Usually provided for 
governmental & institutional 
buildings


Building Yard



Second Layer of Defense

High stepped yard on sloping 
site make a strong barrier

Building Yard


Low planting makes a 
moderate barrier

Second Layer of Defense

Text Box: Building YardText Box: .

Second Layer of Defense

Plaza

..An expanded building yard
..Moved out from the 
controlled building access
..A developer provided 
public space
..A well designed plaza can 
provide visual interest at 
same time providing good 
stand-off




Text Box: Roadways
Second Layer of Defense

Adapted from FEMA 452, Figure 2-4: Layers of Defense, p. 2-5

Text Box: Parking
Second Layer of DefenseParking

Second Layer of Defense

..Restrict parking and access between buildings 
..Consider one-way circulation in parking lots 
..Locate parking within view of occupied buildings
..Restrict parking underneath buildings 
..Well-lit, with security presence, emergency 
communications, and/or CCTV
..Apply progressive collapse hardening to columns 
when parking garage is in the building


Parking


Second Layer of Defense

Parking -Loading Docks

Text Box: Avoid trucks parking into or underneath of the buildings
Keep dumpsters away from buildings
Separate loading docks from building critical functions
Design to prevent progressive collapse
Second Layer of Defense

Parking -Loading Docks

Text Box: Ensure separation from critical systems, functions, and utility service entrances
Provide sufficient area for screening vehicles and packages

Second Layer of Defense

..Unless required, do not identify sensitive areas
..Minimize signs identifying critical utilities
..Warnings signs limiting access to control areas should be 
posted at all entrances
..Signpost may be hardened and included as part of the 
perimeter barrier
..The lighting of signage should enhance nighttime safety
..Warning signs should be posted in languages commonly 
spoken


Signage


First/Second Layer of Defense

High-mast lighting at entry control points 

Continuous lighting

..Glare projection
..Controlled lighting (avoid glare)
..Closed circuit television (CCTV)


Standby lighting

Movable lighting 

Emergency lighting

Security Lighting



First Layer of DefenseSensors / CCTV
..When stand-off and hardening are not 
possible, security must rely upon sensors and 
CCTV
..Look for suspicious vehicles and people, 
especially those that seem to be profiling your 
building
..Monitor access to utilities serving the building 
..Currently high tech monitoring systems need 
to be selected and placed by experts

Second Layer of Defense

Site Utilities



Second Layer of Defense

Site Utilities

Text Box: Concealed versus exposed
Underground versus overhead
Protect/secure versus accessible
Surveillance if possible

Minimize exterior 
signage or other 
indications of asset 
locationsLocate trash bins 
as far from facility 
as possible 
Eliminate potential hiding places near 
facility, provide an unobstructed view 
around facilityEliminate lines of 
approach perpendicular 
to the buildingMinimize 
vehicle 
access 
pointsLocate facility 
away from 
natural or man-
made vantage 
pointsEliminate parking 
beneath facilitiesLocate parking to obtain 
stand-off from facilityIlluminate building exteriors or 
sites where exposed assets are 
locatedSecure access 
to power/heat 
plants, gas 
mains, water 
supplies, and 
electrical 
serviceBest PracticesFigure 2-16, Summary of Site Mitigation Measures, p. 2-53

Unit IX Case Study Activity

Site and Layout Design Guidance

Background

FEMA 426, Building Vulnerability Assessment Checklist: 
screening tool for preliminary design vulnerability 
assessment

Requirements: Vulnerability Rating Approach

Assign sections of the checklist to qualified group members

Refer to Case Study and answer worksheet questions

Review results to identify site and layout vulnerabilities and 
possible mitigation measures