Standards Under Development for Intrusion Detection Devices; Eleven Interior Security Sensors

Standards Under Development for Intrusion Detection Devices; Eleven Interior Security Sensors Covered under Federal Specification W-A-450C May Be Converted to ASTM Specifications

The Department of Defense (DoD) is engaged in a fundamental reform of the way it conveys its acquisition requirements to its suppliers, according to Nick Lakis, chairman of ASTM Task Group F12.16 on Intrusion Detection Devices.

One of the initiatives of this acquisition reform is to convert overly prescriptive military specifications and standards into nongovernment standards, commercial item descriptions and performance-based specifications and standards. The intent is to reduce acquisition costs and remove impediments to commercial military integration by emulating commercial buying practices wherever possible. Secretary of Defense William Perry has encouraged the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology) to form partnerships with industry associations to develop nongovernment standards for the replacement of military standards where practical, says Lakis.

As a result of this DoD initiative, the Interagency Advisory Committee on Security Equipment (IACSE), a General Services Agency-chartered committee of which DoD has active membership, has formally requested that ASTM develop nongovernment standards for both interior and exterior security sensors, says Lakis.

In response to this request, F12.16 was formed and held its initial meeting in October 1995. A prioritized list of security sensors submitted by IACSE was discussed and eleven interior security sensors covered under Federal Specification W-A-450C will be considered for conversion to ASTM specifications. The Passive Infrared Sensor will be the first sensor selected for conversion by the task group. ASTM specifications will also be developed for exterior sensors, which employ a variety of phenomenological principles including microwave, shock and vibration, seismic and electromagnetic, video motion detection, and infrared.

A variety of users will benefit from the standards,says Lakis. At the DoD, we will use them to protect military bases and the assets associated with the bases, such as equipment, arms and ammunition. Other government agencies will use them for their unique applications. Industry and producers of the detection equipment will use them because they will know what requirements they have to meet to make their products marketable.

The Subcommittee's work will not end with standards for these components. Lakis says, there is potential for future evaluation of integrated security systems. If there are any standards in existence for integrated systems, the task group would like to be made aware of them. If there are none we will work with industry to develop them.

Task Group F12.16 encourages the participation of anyone interested in this activity. For more technical information or to participate, contact Nick Lakis, Headquarters, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Washington Navy Yard, Bldg. #111, 901 M Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20388-5384 (Attn: Code 24B4) (202/433-9145).