B.I.G.’s Guard Booths Designed to Withstand Explosions' Blast Waves Protect Against Terror Threats

Designed and manufactured by B.I.G. Enterprises (www.bigbooth.com), the allnew “Stainless Bullet” secure guard booth model addresses the challenge ofbullet resistant construction to provide safety for guards as well as awelcoming interface for visitors.

Crash-resistant walls and barriers are vitally important in securing afacility's perimeter, but protecting the personnel inside is even moreessential. “Security guards are viewed by many as both a vital element ofterror deterrence and the first line of response to terrorist attacks,”security expert Paul W. Parfomak wrote in a recent report.

Because blast resistance in guard booth construction is one of the newpost–9/11 security requirements in specific industries, it brings with itspecial manufacturing needs. For any booth to remain intact after exposureto a blast—and for the personnel inside to survive and respond to theattack—it must be designed to withstand the two phenomena of an explosion’sblast wave: the initial blast and the rebound effect. Unlike bulletresistance, blast resistance must deal with these two distinct phases ofpositive and negative pressure waves that are created radiating outward andthen inward.

"In the event of a blast," says ballistics expert Kelley Elmore of LosAngeles-based engineering firm Hopper, Elmore and Associates, “the initialblast wave comes through and pushes the building out, and then the negativeportion of the blast restores the building toward its original position.This is called a rebound effect.” The negative waves last three times aslong as the positive waves. The new materials and technologies used in theguard booths take both the initial blast wave and the rebound into account,preserving the lives of security personnel as well as keeping the structureitself intact.

The booth must also be a self-sufficient unit that can continue to functiontechnologically after an assault, with all security and communicationdevices contained within its protective walls. “360º visual access fromwithin the booth is essential,” says New York City architect Richard Ramsey.“Coordination with outside systems and the complete protection of thosesystems from within the booth are also important. Bullet and blastresistance allows communication even when under attack.”

Towards that end, The Seabees—based in Port Hueneme, CA—recently installedguard booths around several naval bases. The structures have radio andtelephone links and are equipped with bright interior lighting, exteriorfloodlights, loudspeakers and large windows, offering a 360-degree view ofthe perimeter.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.