Laboratory Security: A Layered Approach to Mitigating Risk From Perimeter to Personnel
Kimberly Robidoux, HOK
Michael Weiss, Working Buildings
Security has changed dramatically in the past eight years, affecting everything from travel to e-mail firewalls. The laboratory environment has certainly not escaped the drastic security reevaluations brought about by the events of September 11. Evolving threats from naturally occurring phenomenon to potential terrorist activity are issues that must be addressed, but while it is important to address these requirements, it is equally important to create secure environments that do not inhibit the natural interaction of researchers or other personnel within laboratory facilities.
The presenters will use this session to discuss the "layered" approach to laboratory security: from design to thwart physical threats from outside the facility, to careful monitoring of access, staff, and events within the facility. This layered approach includes planning and design issues at the site, as well as building, portal, room, and equipment/casework levels. Perimeter fences, blast hardening of the building, video surveillance, card key/keypad access, retinal scanners, and equipment-level locks are among the techniques and tools employed in this layered approach.
Utilizing case study examples from their cooperative effort currently in design at the Consolidated Forensics Laboratory Facility in Washington, D.C., the presenters will illustrate how specific design issues can be applied in a complex scientific facility. Additionally, they will address how they have struck the delicate balance between creating a safe environment without compromising the comfort and convenience of building users.
Additional topics to be covered include:
- Building envelope (blast zones and protection requirements).
- Building entry points for people and vehicles.
- Public and secure zones.
- User responsibility and participation: defining security at the individual level.
- Chain of custody issues.
- How advances in biometrics can be applied to laboratory design and when they are appropriate.
- Failure mode risk analysis and how it can be performed to identify weak points in the design that can result in a failure of a system, as well as provide an acceptable risk profile.
Presenters will offer attendees practical, functional, and cost-effective solutions that meet evolving regulatory environments, providing insight on how to attain the right security solutions for their specific building requirements.
Attendees will take away an increased knowledge of what security decisions should be made and how they affect the building design, infrastructure, construction costs, and operational cost.
Biographies:
Kimberly Robidoux, LEED® AP, is a senior laboratory planner with HOK's Science + Technology Group. Having designed laboratory and healthcare environments for more than 17 years, she is well versed in all project aspects from grant submissions and programming to construction administration. Ms. Robidoux has a special interest in protecting the health and safety of laboratory users, while optimizing laboratory environments, through an emphasis on planning and sustainability. Some of her most recent laboratory projects include the Consolidated Forensic Laboratory in Washington, D.C.; the University of South Florida Science Teaching and Research Facility; the Florida International University College of Nursing; and the Burnett-Womack Clinical Sciences Research Building (prior to joining HOK).
Michael Weiss has concentrated on developing and implementing improved programming; operations and building commissioning procedures for biological, chemical, and nuclear research and testing laboratories; and highly complex technical facilities over the last 12 years. He uses a disciplined and comprehensive approach on total building commissioning used in the design and construction of complex facilities. The approach is a whole building process and includes mechanical systems, thermal envelope, fire/life safety, electrical systems, networking and security, and specialty systems. Mr. Weiss has developed a rigorous quality-control process that has been implemented through commissioning and construction in new construction and major renovation projects throughout the United States. Mr. Weiss teaches classes in laboratory commissioning throughout the country and has been involved extensively with the Building Commissioning Association Certification Program, Commissioning for Providers Course, as well as the U.S. Green Building Council Laboratory for LEED initiative.