WBCM

Force Protection and Anti-Terrorism Measures

WBCM is very familiar with the terms “blast hardening” and “force protection” and has worked as a company to become further educated on these measures since the events of September 11, 2001. Through seminars sponsored by organizations such as the Society of American Military Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers, key staff at WBCM have studied and thus trained their staff on both the necessity of and the military and private sector requirements for force protection measures post 9/11.

WBCM understands and accepts its responsibility for thinking beyond the building in terms of force protection and blast hardening. In view of force protection, WBCM Architects and Engineers consider not only the safety of the building’s occupying employees but also the preservation of its structure, facilities, and information equipment within their design. From conceptual design to construction documents, protecting the building, its contents and components is the number one concern. Our Structural and Civil Engineers are well-versed in the total spectrum of security measures. These measures, such as the physical strengthening of structures, the encompassing of setbacks, the use of functional and protective landscaping items such as concrete planters, and the siting of parking areas, are found in numerous designs that WBCM has completed for Department of Defense (DoD) clients over the past 18 months.

WBCM’s most recent design which utilizes the above-stated blast hardening and force protection measures is the Webster Field Annex Integration Facility at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland. WBCM provided the architectural and structural design on this design-build project with the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. Force Protection highlights of this project include the following:

• Building was designed as two separate structures (Vehicle Facility and Labs/Offices) in order to maintain structural integrity in case of collapse

• Use of 12-inch high wheel stops and berms at the parking lot to impede unauthorized vehicular access to the building

• Lack of Vegetation around perimeter of building in order to create a “bare” site

• Use of laminated glass in all windows in order to reduce glass shard projectiles

The Webster Field project also incorporated the security requirements of the Interim Department of Defense Antiterrorism/Force Protection Construction Standards (December 16, 1999 ed. AT/FP).

WBCM understands that lessening the effects of a blast is only one part of dealing with potential threats to property and people. Preventative measures are also necessary for protection from harm. This is why WBCM is committed to working with Clients and Users to create, implement and maintain functional and appropriate designs to help lessen the effects of blasts and other forms of potentially dangerous acts. WBCM pledges to stay on top of new regulations and force protection and blast hardening measures in order to protect the Client’s property and employees/lease holders.