Building exterior protection

A building's outer wall (including the roof) forms the building's security layer. When discussing protective security measures in this layer, it is referred to as protecting the ‘building exterior’.

The building façade is almost always part of the building’s security solution, and without perimeter protection or a stand-off zone the façade constitutes the outermost layer of security. The resistance of the façade to an attack should be designed according to the risk assessment and the existing or planned surrounding security measures e.g. the stand-off zones design.

At minimum all the building’s openings should be closed, but additional deterrent, detecting, delaying and reducing measures should also be considered. Protection of the building exterior can be achieved through securing against unauthorised access, vehicle-borne attacks, ballistics and explosives, as well as the protection of ventilation, sewerage, electricity and communications.