Homeland Security Subcommittee Reorganizes to Better Reflect Industry Needs

2005-04-05

ASTM International Subcommittee E54.05 on Building and Infrastructure Protection has reorganized itself to better reflect the needs of industry. The subcommittee is under the jurisdiction of Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications. “The reorganization focuses the efforts of the subcommittee more along the lines of various disciplines and areas of interest reflected in industry,” says Curt Betts, chair of Subcommittee E54.05, and a structural engineer with the Protective Design Center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “The reorganization also benefits industry by increasing the likelihood that we’ll deliver standards in a timely and efficient manner.” Betts feels that, while E54.05 will still focus on the development of guides, the subject matter the subcommittee works with may expand as a result of the reorganization. “By establishing more focused task groups, we’ve been able to better focus the members on smaller pieces of the overall subcommittee scope,” says Betts. As an example, he notes that the original subcommittee structure included a task group on fixed barriers and openings, which has now been divided into three task groups on building exteriors, building interiors, and building support systems. At this point, plans have been made for two task groups in the newly reorganized subcommittee. The task group on site systems will work on exterior site elements such as landscaping, fences, gates, and barriers, and how to apply those elements in mitigating specific security vulnerabilities. The building exteriors task group will be developing guides for designing building exterior components such as walls, roofs, doors, and windows to withstand the effects of specific threats such as blasts, bullets, and forced entry. Betts says the subcommittee is currently very interested in soliciting membership from interested parties. “We’re in particular need of people to work on the task groups on Assets Other than Buildings and Building Support Systems,” says Betts. “Any engineers, architects, security specialists, and producers who have experience in developing security solutions for sites, buildings, and infrastructure will be welcomed with open arms. We’ve got a lot of work to do and we need help doing it.” //