as SD-STD-01. 01, Revision H, Certification Standard, Forced Entry and Ballistic Resistance of Building Systems

SPECIAL NOTICE:  Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Releases Revised Forced Entry and Ballistic

Resistance Requirements

The US Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) has an established program to verify that specific building components utilized in Diplomatic facilities constructed overseas provide protection to building occupants.  This is accomplished through a testing and certification protocol detailed in DS’s proprietary testing standard, SD-STD-01.01, Rev G (Amended), Certification Standard, Forced Entry and Ballistic Resistance of Structural Systems (hereafter referred to as “Revision G (Amended)”).

DS’s Office of Physical Security Programs has revised this publication and it is being re-issued as SD-STD-01.01, Revision H, Certification Standard, Forced Entry and Ballistic Resistance of Building Systems (hereafter referred to as “Revision H”).   

In addition to codifying a number of existing business practices associated with the FE/BR Certification process, Revision H incorporates a number of changes to better align with the current spectrum of threats.  Specific examples of the revisions made to this test standard include:Increasing the number of ballistic impacts required for successful testing.  This reflects realistic attack scenarios and provides statistical validity when compared to the previous edition of the test standard.

• Harmonizing the 5-, 15- and 60-minute forced entry testing protocols so that all levels of protection are quantified uniformly by a six-man attack team employing an identical tool kit.
• Revising the list of allowable tools involved in forced entry testing.  There have been additions and subtractions to the list that reflect lessons learned from recent attacks on Diplomatic facilities, as well as consideration of what tools are readily/commonly available.

DS is working in conjunction with the Department’s Office of Overseas Building Operations (OBO) to incorporate this revised test standard in construction projects.  To provide industry time to adapt to the revised requirements of Revision H it will be incorporated into construction project documents commencing in FY 2023.  Projects initiated in FY 23 will be required to include forced entry and ballistic resistant building system/components that fully comply with the Revision H and applicable OBO specification requirements. 

Products currently certified to Revision G (Amended) may be procured for use in overseas construction projects until the FY 23 implementation of SD-STD-01.01, Revision H.

Electronic copies of SD-STD-01.01, Revision H, Certification Standard, Forced Entry and Ballistic Resistance of Building Systems may be obtained by contacting dspsprd@state.gov.  General questions regarding this announcement should also be addressed to dspsprd@state.gov.