A 12-section interactive reference guide covering the core physical security disciplines used daily in security engineering and design. Includes access control system components and credential technology, IP camera resolution standards, intrusion detection sensor types, perimeter barrier specifications, security lighting foot-candle requirements, electronic lock hardware, SCIF construction per ICD 705, visitor management workflows, security risk assessment frameworks, and alarm monitoring standards.
Each section targets a core physical security discipline: defense-in-depth layering and standards overview; access control components (PACS, card readers, door hardware, anti-tailgating); IP video surveillance (camera types, resolution standards, compression, storage calculation); intrusion detection (sensor types, UL 681 grades, alarm monitoring); perimeter security (fencing, crash-rated vehicle barriers, ASTM F2656 K-ratings); security lighting (IES RP-33 foot-candle requirements, uniformity ratios); electronic locks and hardware (ANSI grades, fire code integration, key control); visitor management and PACS integration; security risk assessment (ASIS SPC.1, CPTED principles, TVA methodology); alarm monitoring and guard force operations; SCIF and sensitive space design (ICD 705, STC ratings, sound masking); and a master quick-reference table.
Use the Prev / Next buttons at the bottom, or press the arrow keys on your keyboard. Click the ☰ menu button in the top-right to open the table of contents and jump to any section. The gold progress bar at the top tracks your position through all 12 sections.
This guide references current published standards including ICD 705 (SCIF construction), ASIS SPC.1-2012 (organizational resilience), DoD UFC 4-010-01 (anti-terrorism standoff distance), NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code — egress and locking hardware), UL 681 (IDS classification), UL 2050 (monitoring service), ASTM F2656 (vehicle barrier crash testing), IES RP-33 (security lighting), and ANSI/BHMA A156.30 (high-security locks). Always verify the currently adopted edition with your AHJ before applying standard-specific values.
The access control section includes fail-safe vs. fail-secure hardware selection logic with NFPA 101 egress requirements. The video surveillance section includes the storage calculation formula and pixel density requirements for detection, classification, and identification. The perimeter section covers ASTM F2656 K-ratings (K4/K8/K12) and standoff distance per DoD UFC 4-010-01. The SCIF section covers ICD 705 construction requirements with STC ratings and the mandatory pre-construction government sponsor approval process.
Fail-safe means the lock unlocks (door opens freely) when power is lost. Fail-secure means the lock remains locked when power is lost. The choice depends on the use case and fire code. Egress doors in occupied buildings must be fail-safe or have a manual release per NFPA 101 — occupants must be able to exit during a power failure. Perimeter security doors and server room doors are typically fail-secure to maintain security during power outages. Magnetic locks are inherently fail-safe; electric strikes can be either; electric latch retraction exits are typically fail-secure. Always verify with your AHJ and fire marshal.
The industry standard for facial identification is 80 pixels per meter (px/m) of face width, or approximately 80 pixels across a 1-foot face at the target distance. For a 2 MP camera at 1920×1080 with a 90° horizontal field of view, this typically limits identification range to about 15–25 feet. For longer-range identification, use a PTZ camera with optical zoom or choose a higher-resolution camera. A 4K camera at the same field of view doubles identification range to approximately 30–50 feet. Use a coverage calculator (JVSG IP Video System Design Tool or similar) to verify pixel density at specific distances.
ASTM F2656 defines crash performance by rating: K4 means the barrier stops a 15,000 lb vehicle traveling at 30 mph with penetration not exceeding 3 feet into the protected zone. K8 is the same vehicle at 40 mph; K12 is at 50 mph. The test vehicle is a medium-duty pickup truck (Class 2A, 15,000 lbs GVW). Ratings also include penetration levels: P1 (≤3 ft), P2 (3–23 ft), P3 (23–98 ft), P4 (>98 ft) — P1 is the most stringent. For high-security installations, specify K12/P1 (stops a 15,000 lb truck at 50 mph with less than 3 feet penetration).
CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) is a multi-disciplinary approach that uses the built environment to reduce crime opportunities. Its four principles are: Natural Surveillance (design spaces so occupants can see and monitor activity — open sightlines, lighting, eliminating hiding spots), Natural Access Control (guide people along intended paths using landscaping, fencing, and signage rather than relying solely on locks), Territorial Reinforcement (use landscaping, signage, and materials to clearly distinguish public from semi-public from private space), and Maintenance (neglected environments signal that no one cares and invite crime). CPTED is most effective when applied early in the design process rather than retrofitted.