Protecting Public Spaces
Post-9/11 Domestic Safety and Security Standards
The events of Sept. 11, 2001, will long be remembered by Americans and the rest of the world. In the last decade, the U.S. Congress has sought to increase citizen safety and security in public spaces, taking measures to prevent future terrorist attacks. From response robots to explosives detection, ASTM Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications has done its part to support Congress' efforts. When it comes to the nation's security concerns, more and more public officials and security experts want to know, "According to what standard?"
BOMB-RESISTANT TRASH RECEPTACLES
The technology of public security is often hidden or embedded in surroundings so it is not noticed by the untrained eye. Blast-resistant trash receptacles camouflage perfectly when placed in transit environments, such as subway platforms or during significant public events. Although undetectable as important security elements, they limit injuries and damage to facilities if an explosive is placed in a BRTR.
- ASTM E2639, Test Method for Blast Resistance of Trash Receptacles, provides a standard procedure for characterizing the blast resistance of trash receptacles when an explosive is detonated within the receptacle.
- ASTM E2740, Specification for Trash Receptacles Subjected to Blast Resistance Testing, provides performance requirements for trash receptacles when subjected to explosive tests.
- ASTM E2831/E2831M, Guide for Deployment of Blast Resistant Trash Receptacles in Crowded Places, provides basic recommendations for a variety of operational and explosive effect situations.
EXPLOSIVES TRACE DETECTION
Gas suppliers intentionally add noxious scents to their products to signal that harmful vapors are airborne, helping to secure our homes from gas leaks or even deadly explosions. But detecting explosives is much more difficult when screening airline passengers at airports. According to a National Institute for Standards and Technology impact study published in July, more than 15,000 explosive trace detection systems are in service today, helping to protect airports, airlines and passengers from danger.
- ASTM E2520, Practice for Measuring and Scoring Performance of Trace Explosive Chemical Detectors, helps the manufacturers of explosive trace detection systems assess and improve the overall performance of their devices.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE ROBOTS
In their work to protect the public, it is inevitable that emergency responders risk their own lives. However, urban search and rescue task forces are starting to use emergency response robots to help out when disaster strikes. Before deployment, first responders must know if the robot they're using is right for the job, whether it's finding victims at disaster sites or defusing explosives.
- ASTM Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications created a task group to provide an objective measure of emergency response robot performance for representative urban search and rescue applications.
- Task Group E54.08.01 is developing a series of 15 performance requirements and test methods for response robot systems used in urban search and rescue applications.
- According to that NIST impact study, the growing acceptance of ASTM's response robot series of standards has enabled a 40-50 percent reduction of test event operational expenses.
As for this September, a more heartening security concern is occupying the minds of East Coast public officials and security experts - the visit of Pope Francis to New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. In the 14 years since the events of 2001, we have learned a lot about security in public spaces, and ASTM standards are there in support.
Nicole Villegas is a student at Villanova University and ASTM's corporate communications intern for 2015.
SN Home
Archive
Advertisers
Masthead
RateCard
Subscribe
Email Editor