PSP Security Lighting and CPTED 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What CPTED concept involves designing spaces so that legitimate users naturally observe and informally supervise the area through their normal activities?
- Natural access control
- Mechanical surveillance
- Natural surveillance (Correct answer)
- Activity programming
Correct answer: Natural surveillance
Natural surveillance positions windows, seating, and activity generators so that legitimate users — employees, residents, customers — naturally observe the space during routine use, deterring criminal activity.
Question 2: For a parking garage security lighting design, what is the recommended minimum maintained horizontal illuminance at pavement level according to IES RP-20?
- 0.5 foot-candles (5 lux)
- 1.0 foot-candle (11 lux)
- 5.0 foot-candles (54 lux) (Correct answer)
- 10 foot-candles (108 lux)
Correct answer: 5.0 foot-candles (54 lux)
IES RP-20 recommends a minimum 5.0 foot-candles maintained horizontal illuminance at pavement level in parking garages to support both personal safety and camera surveillance effectiveness.
Question 3: Which CPTED strategy is applied when a facility uses visible security measures — cameras, lighting, guard booths — to signal to potential offenders that detection is likely?
- Natural surveillance
- Target hardening (Correct answer)
- Activity support
- Image maintenance / management
Correct answer: Target hardening
Target hardening makes the potential target more difficult and risky to attack through visible security measures that increase perceived detection and apprehension risk for potential offenders.
Question 4: What is the primary security risk associated with allowing trees to grow tall near security lighting fixtures at a facility perimeter?
- Tree roots can damage underground cable conduits
- Tall trees can provide climbing access over perimeter fences and block security lighting coverage (Correct answer)
- Tree branches can fall and damage lighting fixtures
- Trees attract wildlife that triggers perimeter detection sensors
Correct answer: Tall trees can provide climbing access over perimeter fences and block security lighting coverage
Tall trees near the perimeter can be used as climbing aids to scale fences, and their canopies can block security lighting, creating dark zones that benefit intruders.
Question 5: In a CPTED assessment, a security professional observes that a building's main entrance is hidden from the street and from other building occupants. What CPTED deficiency does this represent?
- Inadequate maintenance
- Poor territorial reinforcement
- Lack of natural surveillance / poor sightlines to entry (Correct answer)
- Insufficient access control
Correct answer: Lack of natural surveillance / poor sightlines to entry
A hidden entrance lacks natural surveillance because neither passersby nor other building occupants can observe who is entering or loitering, creating opportunity for assault, theft, or unauthorized entry.
Question 6: What US standard or guideline provides specific maintained illuminance recommendations for security lighting in different facility zones (perimeter, parking, vehicle gates)?
- NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
- IES RP-33 (Recommended Practice for Lighting Exterior Environments) (Correct answer)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.56
- ANSI/ASIS PSC.1
Correct answer: IES RP-33 (Recommended Practice for Lighting Exterior Environments)
IES RP-33 provides detailed maintained illuminance recommendations for exterior security lighting zones including perimeters, parking areas, vehicle gates, and pedestrian pathways.
PSP Security Lighting and CPTED 2
What CPTED concept involves designing spaces so that legitimate users naturally observe and informally supervise the area through their normal activities?