Past  Conferences

	A Conference on Architectural SuretyÒ
	Assuring the Performance of Buildings and Infrastructures
	PROCEEDINGS

Protection of Federal Buildings in an Urban Environment

John A. Petkewich and Wade Belcher

General Services Administration

ABSTRACT

The General Services Administration manages 280 million square feet of workspace in over 8,000 buildings. This represents 40 percent of the Federal Government's office space and serves one million Government employees.

While building security has always been a concern, the April 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City caused a reevaluation of the efficacy of design standards.

A report by the Department of Justice and two Executive Orders by the President in the summer of 1995 resulted in immediate action to safeguard individuals and property as well as continue operation of the Federal Government in the event of terrorist activity.

This paper discusses three aspects of building security: (1) the development of security forces, and the use of surveillance system; (2) new design criteria for new construction and major modernizations; and (3) special treatment of windows to prevent or minimize flying glass.

1997 Conference Home Page

1997 Conference Contents