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Overseas Installations – Special Requirements
In addition to the requirements that must be met for all secure facility construction within the CONUS, there are additional conditions that must be met for all overseas installations.
Overseas installations must incorporate all specifications and requirements as listed for those built in the United States, as well as maintain project integrity under what are frequently considered less than desirable conditions. These could include everything from unsafe drinking water, vaccination requirements, and threat of criminal activity in the area, to targeting by terrorist groups, etc. Enhanced security requirements require a higher level of security clearance for designated personnel and may require extended stays in segregated facilities. Many installations and renovations are done as a direct response to hostile actions by foreign factions. Personnel must receive preliminary briefings illustrating the degree of threat and outlining proper response in the event of surveillance, or of attempted compromise of the individual or of the project. Contact with foreign nationals is limited and in some cases forbidden.
Materials and equipment must be protected from compromise at all phases of the construction, from purchase to installation, requiring approved facilities for packing, shipping, and transport.
Overseas installations require additional safeguards in the actual construction as well. Welded steel enclosures require experienced technicians capable of working under potentially extreme weather conditions for prolonged periods of time. United States Government offices, including United States Embassies, are frequently housed in historic settings requiring specialized construction techniques to maintain esthetic integrity. These older buildings frequently have smaller hallways or door openings, requiring adaptability in construction methods to meet specifications.
To ensure that accreditation and/or certification will be granted to overseas facilities, it is of paramount importance that all specifications are strictly adhered to. In addition to the procedures that must be followed for secure facilities in the CONUS, an overseas request for accreditation must include a risk analysis with data on the host country, whether it is an area with a strong likelihood of terrorist attacks, and the citizenship of individuals living and working in the area immediately surrounding or in proximity to the facility. Any contractor performing overseas secure facility construction must be diligent in meeting or exceeding all government specifications and requirements, and should be familiar with the accreditation/certification process to help smooth the path for the customer.
• Continuous testing during installation to assure that the construction is being accomplished to meet specification standards.
• Cell testing daily during installation is performed on welded enclosures at the end of each work day.
• Repairs, if any, are made daily to reduce the risk of end of project problems resulting in time consuming and expensive delays in completion.
• Final testing to meet RF & Acoustical specifications and publications by a third party is conducted with a government witness using appropriately calibrating
equipment.
