Table Of ContentPARAS PROGRAM FOR APPLIED
RESEARCH IN AIRPORT SECURITY
PARAS 0004 February 2017
Recommended Security Guidelines for
Airport Planning, Design, and Construction
National Safe Skies Alliance, Inc.
Sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration
PARAS 0004 February 2017
TranSecure, Inc.
Olney, MD
© 2017 National Safe Skies Alliance, Inc. All rights reserved.
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining written permissions from
publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein.
National Safe Skies Alliance, Inc. (Safe Skies) grants permission to reproduce material in this publication for
classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be
used to imply Safe Skies or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) endorsement of a particular product, method, or
practice. It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and not-for-profit uses
will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or reproduced material. For other uses of the
material, request permission from Safe Skies.
NOTICE
The project that is the subject of this report was a part of the Program for Applied Research in Airport Security
(PARAS), managed by Safe Skies and funded by the FAA.
The members of the technical panel selected to monitor this project and to review this report were chosen for their
special competencies and with regard for appropriate balance. The report was reviewed by the technical panel and
accepted for publication according to procedures established and overseen by Safe Skies.
The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those of the individuals or organizations who
performed the research and are not necessarily those of Safe Skies or the FAA.
Safe Skies and the FAA do not endorse products or manufacturers.
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PARAS 0004 February 2017
NATIONAL SAFE SKIES ALLIANCE, INC.
National Safe Skies Alliance (Safe Skies) is a non-profit organization that works with airports, government, and
industry to maintain a safe and effective aviation security system. Safe Skies’ core services focus on helping airport
operators make informed decisions about their perimeter and access control security.
Through the Airport Security Systems Integrated Support Testing (ASSIST) Program, Safe Skies conducts
independent, impartial evaluations of security equipment, systems, and processes at airports throughout the nation.
Individual airports use the results to make informed decisions when deploying security technologies and procedures.
Through the Program for Applied Research in Airport Security (PARAS), Safe Skies provides a forum for
addressing security problems identified by the aviation industry.
A Board of Directors and an Oversight Committee oversee Safe Skies’ policies and activities. The Board of
Directors focuses on organizational structure and corporate development; the Oversight Committee approves
PARAS projects and sets ASSIST Program priorities.
Funding for our programs is provided by the Federal Aviation Administration.
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PARAS 0004 February 2017
PROGRAM FOR APPLIED RESEARCH IN AIRPORT SECURITY
The Program for Applied Research in Airport Security (PARAS) is an industry-driven program that develops near-
term practical solutions to security problems faced by airport operators. PARAS is managed by Safe Skies, funded
by the Federal Aviation Administration, and modeled after the Airport Cooperative Research Program of the
Transportation Research Board.
Problem Statements, which are descriptions of security problems or questions for which airports need guidance, form
the basis of PARAS projects. Submitted Problem Statements are reviewed once yearly by the Safe Skies Oversight
Committee, but can be submitted at any time.
A project panel is formed for each funded problem statement. Project panel members are selected by Safe Skies, and
generally consist of airport professionals, industry consultants, technology providers, and members of academia—all
with knowledge and experience specific to the project topic. The project panel develops a request for proposals
based on the Problem Statement, selects a contractor, provides technical guidance and counsel throughout the
project, and reviews project deliverables.
The results of PARAS projects are available to the industry at no charge. All deliverables are electronic, and most
can be accessed directly at www.sskies.org/paras.
PARAS PROGRAM OFFICER
Jessica Grizzle Safe Skies Special Programs Manager
PARAS 0004 PROJECT PANEL
Lydia Bearisto General Mitchell Milwaukee International Airport
Michael Duffy Transportation Security Administration
Lorena de Rodriguez Safety and Security Instruction, Inc.
Chris Runde American Association of Airport Executives
Theresia Schatz Airport Cooperation Research Program
T. J. Schultz Airport Consultants Council
Larry Studdiford Studdiford Technical Solutions, LLC
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PARAS 0004 February 2017
CONTENTS
SUMMARY xvii
PARAS ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS xviii
Setting the Stage 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Applicability 2
1.3 Purpose 3
1.4 Background 4
1.5 Coordination 5
1.6 Changing Security Concerns and Contingency Measures 6
1.7 Checklists 7
Initial Planning and Design Considerations 9
2.1 General 9
2.2 Facility Protection 10
2.3 Planning and Facility Protection 10
2.3.1 General Security Areas and Boundaries 10
2.3.2 Vulnerability Assessment 12
2.3.3 Protection Criteria 13
2.3.4 Physical Protection 13
2.3.5 Crime Prevention 13
2.3.6 Recordkeeping 13
2.3.7 Delegations of Responsibility 14
2.3.8 Design Factors 14
2.4 Checklists 14
DEFINING OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS 16
3.1 Introduction 16
3.1.1 What? 17
3.1.2 Why? 18
3.1.3 Who? 18
3.1.4 When? 19
3.1.5 Where? 20
3.1.6 How? 20
3.2 What a ConOps is Not 21
3.3 Risk Assessment 22
3.4 Situational Awareness 24
3.5 Checklists 25
Airport Layout and Boundaries 27
4.1 General Airport Layout 27
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4.1.1 Airside 27
4.1.2 Landside 28
4.1.3 Terminal 29
4.2 Security Related Areas 29
4.2.1 Air Operations Area 29
4.2.2 Secured Area 30
4.2.3 Security Identification Display Area 30
4.2.4 Sterile Area 31
4.2.5 Exclusive Use Area 31
4.2.6 Airport Tenant Security Program Area 31
4.3 Assessment of Vulnerable Areas 32
4.3.1 Concepts of Security Risk Management 32
4.3.2 Fundamental Concepts for Airport Security 32
4.3.3 Unauthorized Access 32
4.3.4 Fundamental Vulnerability of Public Access Facilities 32
4.3.5 Vulnerability of Public Side within the Terminal 33
4.3.6 Access Media/ID System Vulnerability 33
4.3.7 Other Potential Areas of Vulnerability 33
4.3.8 Utility Infrastructure 34
4.3.9 Seismic Requirements 35
4.4 Chemical and Biological Agents 36
4.5 Boundaries and Access Points 37
4.5.1 Physical Barriers 37
4.5.2 Electronic Boundaries and New Technologies 40
4.5.3 Aircraft Maintenance Facilities 41
4.5.4 Aircraft Movement Areas 41
4.5.5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Facilities 41
4.5.6 Security Operations Center and Airport Emergency Command Post 41
4.5.7 Airport Personnel Offices 42
4.5.8 Belly Cargo Facility 42
4.5.9 All-Cargo Area 43
4.5.10 FAA Airport Traffic Control Tower and Offices 43
4.5.11 Fuel Facilities 43
4.5.12 General Aviation and Fixed Base Operator Area 43
4.5.13 Ground Service Equipment Maintenance Facility 43
4.5.14 Ground Transportation Staging Area 44
4.5.15 Hotels and On-Airport Accommodations 44
4.5.16 Industrial/Technology Parks 44
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4.5.17 In-flight Catering Facility 44
4.5.18 Intermodal Transportation Area 44
4.5.19 Isolated Security Aircraft Parking Position 44
4.5.20 Military Facilities 45
4.5.21 Navigational and Communications Equipment 45
4.5.22 Passenger Aircraft Loading/Unloading Parking Areas 45
4.5.23 Passenger Aircraft Overnight Parking Areas 45
4.5.24 Rental Car and Vehicle Storage Facilities 45
4.5.25 State/Government Aircraft Facilities 45
4.5.26 Terminal Patron Parking Areas 46
4.5.27 Utilities and Related Equipment 46
4.5.28 Through-the-Fence Agreement 46
4.6 Checklists 46
Airside 50
5.1 Aircraft Movement & Parking Areas (14 CFR § 139) 50
5.1.1 Aircraft Movement Areas 50
5.1.2 Passenger Loading/Unloading Aircraft Parking Areas 50
5.1.3 Passenger Aircraft Overnight Parking Areas 50
5.1.4 General Aviation Operations and Aircraft Parking Area 50
5.1.5 Isolated/Security Parking Position 51
5.2 Airside Roads 52
5.3 Airside Vulnerable Areas and Protection 52
5.4 Airside Cargo 52
5.5 Checklist 52
Landside 54
6.1 Natural Barriers 54
6.2 Landside Roads 54
6.2.1 Vehicle Inspection Stations 55
6.2.2 Roadway Design 55
6.3 Landside Parking 56
6.4 Employee Parking 56
6.5 Landside Facilities 57
6.5.1 Ground Transportation Staging Area 57
6.5.2 Hotels and On-Airport Accommodations 57
6.5.3 Intermodal Transportation Area 57
6.5.4 Rental Car and Vehicle Storage Areas 57
6.6 Access Control Portals 58
6.6.1 Gates 58
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6.6.2 Roads 58
6.7 Interior Spaces 58
6.8 Exterior Spaces 59
6.8.1 Physical Barriers 59
6.8.2 Lighting 60
6.8.3 Utilities and Related Equipment 60
6.9 Systems and Equipment 61
6.9.1 Electronic Detection and Monitoring 61
6.9.2 CCTV 61
6.9.3 Alarms 61
6.10 Emergency Response 61
6.10.1 Law Enforcement 61
6.10.2 Off-Airport Emergency Response 61
6.10.3 Life Safety Equipment 62
6.10.4 Emergency Services Coordination 62
6.10.5 Threat Containment Units 62
6.11 Checklist 63
Terminal 65
7.1 Terminal Security Architecture 65
7.1.1 Functional Areas 65
7.1.2 Physical Boundaries 66
7.1.3 Bomb/Blast Analysis Overview 67
7.1.4 Limited Concealment Areas/Structures 68
7.1.5 Operational Pathways 68
7.1.6 Minimum Number of Security Portals 69
7.1.7 Space for Expanded, Additional, and Contingency Security Measures 69
7.2 Terminal Area Users and Infrastructure 70
7.2.1 Users and Stakeholders 70
7.2.2 Personnel Circulation 72
7.2.3 Utility Infrastructure 72
7.2.4 New Construction vs. Alterations 72
7.3 Sterile Area 73
7.4 Public Areas 74
7.4.1 Configuration of Lobby Areas 75
7.4.2 Configuration of Domestic Baggage Claim Areas 75
7.4.3 Public Emergency Exits 77
7.4.4 Security Doors vs. Fire Doors 77
7.4.5 Concessions Areas 78
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7.4.6 Signage 79
7.4.7 Public Lockers 80
7.4.8 Unclaimed Luggage Facilities 80
7.4.9 VIP Lounges / Hospitality Suites 80
7.4.10 Vertical Access 80
7.4.11 Observation Decks 80
7.5 Non-public Areas 81
7.5.1 Service Corridors, Stairwells, and Vertical Circulation 81
7.5.2 Airport and Tenant Administrative/Personnel Offices 81
7.5.3 Tenant Spaces 82
7.5.4 Law Enforcement and Public Safety Areas 82
7.5.5 Explosives Detection Canine (K-9) Teams and Facilities 84
7.5.6 Service Animal Relief Areas 85
7.5.7 Security Operations Center 86
7.5.8 Family Assistance Center 88
7.5.9 Federal Inspection Service 88
7.5.10 Loading Dock and Delivery Areas 89
7.5.11 Cargo Facilities and Security Considerations 89
7.6 Common Use Areas 96
7.7 Terminal Vulnerable Areas and Protection 96
7.8 Chemical and Biological Threats 97
7.9 Checklists 99
Baggage Handling System 103
8.1 Introduction 103
8.2 CBIS Overview 103
8.3 Federal Funding Options for CBIS Design and Construction 104
8.3.1 Design OTAs 105
8.3.2 Construction OTAs 105
8.4 Principles for CBIS Planning and Design 105
8.5 Roles and Responsibilities 106
8.6 CBIS and Screening System Types 108
8.6.1 System Type 1: In-Line CBIS 108
8.6.2 System Type 2: Mini In-Line CBIS 109
8.6.3 System Type 3: Stand-Alone EDS 110
8.6.4 System Type 4: Stand-Alone ETD Systems 110
8.7 Other Baggage Conveying System Types 111
8.8 Development and Evaluation of Alternatives 112
8.9 CBIS Design Standards 113
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8.10 CBRA Design Standards 113
8.11 Trends 113
8.12 Checklist 114
Passenger Screening Checkpoint 115
9.1 Passenger Security Screening Checkpoints 115
9.1.1 General Overview of SSCP 115
9.1.2 Regulations and Guidelines 116
9.1.3 Essential Coordination 116
9.1.4 Planning Considerations 116
9.1.5 Elements of SSCP 117
9.1.6 SSCP Power and Data 122
9.1.7 Safety 124
9.1.8 SSCP Project Funding 125
9.1.9 Designing for the Future 125
9.2 Trends 125
9.3 Checklist 125
Access Control Systems 127
10.1 Introduction 127
10.1.1 Regulatory Requirements Overview 127
10.1.2 Performance Criteria 128
10.1.3 Selectivity 128
10.2 Credentialing 128
10.2.1 Credentials 129
10.2.2 Inter-airport Credentialing Interoperability 130
10.3 Physical Access Control Systems 130
10.3.1 Access Credentials 130
10.3.2 Monitor Access 131
10.3.3 Annunciate Access 131
10.3.4 Record and Report 131
10.3.5 Typical PACS 131
10.3.6 Support Requirements 134
10.3.7 Special Device Considerations 137
10.3.8 Integration with Other Systems 137
10.3.9 Federal Inspection Services Device Requirements 138
10.4 Trends 139
10.5 Checklist 139
Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems 141
11.1 Perimeter Issues 141
Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design, and Construction x
Description:Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design, and Construction iii. NATIONAL SAFE SKIES ALLIANCE, INC. National Safe Skies Alliance (Safe Skies) is a non-profit organization that works with airports, government, and industry to maintain a safe and effective aviation security system.
