SSP Physical Security Design & Implementation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which lighting standard is most commonly referenced for exterior security lighting in US facilities?
- IESNA RP-33 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 101
- ANSI/BHMA A156
- UL 2050
Correct answer: IESNA RP-33
IESNA RP-33 provides recommended practice for security lighting of exterior environments in the United States.
Question 2: In Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), 'natural surveillance' is best achieved by:
- Installing additional CCTV cameras
- Designing spaces so legitimate users can observe activity (Correct answer)
- Hiring more security guards
- Adding motion-activated floodlights
Correct answer: Designing spaces so legitimate users can observe activity
Natural surveillance relies on physical design—windows, open sightlines, and activity generators—so occupants passively monitor an area.
Question 3: A standoff distance in blast-resistant design refers to:
- The gap between inner and outer perimeter fences
- The minimum distance between a potential vehicle bomb and a protected structure (Correct answer)
- The buffer zone around a CCTV camera's blind spot
- The required setback between guard booths and entry lanes
Correct answer: The minimum distance between a potential vehicle bomb and a protected structure
Standoff distance is the space between a vehicle-borne IED threat and the building, reducing blast overpressure impact.
Question 4: Which door hardware standard classifies electrified locks and strikes used in access control integration?
- UL 294
- ANSI/BHMA A156.25 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 72
- IEC 60839
Correct answer: ANSI/BHMA A156.25
ANSI/BHMA A156.25 covers electrified door hardware including electric strikes and electromagnetic locks used with access control systems.
Question 5: The primary purpose of a mantrap (airlock) in a high-security facility is to:
- Provide a buffer zone for fire egress
- Prevent tailgating by allowing only one person through at a time (Correct answer)
- Store emergency response equipment
- Isolate HVAC zones between secure areas
Correct answer: Prevent tailgating by allowing only one person through at a time
A mantrap forces individual occupant verification before granting access, eliminating tailgating/piggybacking into secure spaces.
Question 6: When designing a perimeter using the '3-3-3 rule' for vehicle barriers, the numbers represent:
- 3 fences, 3 camera zones, 3 guard posts
- Vehicle weight (tons), speed (mph), and penetration depth (feet) (Correct answer)
- 3 barrier types, 3 detection zones, 3 response levels
- K-rating, crash test speed, and minimum post depth
Correct answer: Vehicle weight (tons), speed (mph), and penetration depth (feet)
The 3-3-3 rule references a 3-ton vehicle at 30 mph with no more than 3 feet of intrusion, forming the basis for K4 barrier ratings.
Question 7: In a layered physical security model, which layer is responsible for protecting individual assets such as servers or filing cabinets?
- Perimeter layer
- Facility layer
- Interior layer
- Asset layer (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Asset layer
The asset or object layer is the innermost protection ring, using safes, locked cabinets, and device-level controls to secure specific items.
SSP Physical Security Design & Implementation 2
Which lighting standard is most commonly referenced for exterior security lighting in US facilities?