This is a list of common terms, acronyms and TLAs used in the construction and building security industries. These are physical security acronyms and not for cyber security.
Click here to download a PDF of this list below.
| AACS | Automated Access Control System, for example using a magnetic card to open an electro-mechanical lock. As opposed to a manual key and lock |
| Annealed glass | Common plate glass that when broken, splinters into sharp jagged pieces that can cause more damage than what originally caused the glass to originally break |
| ARB | Architects Registration Board – The UK regulatory authority for Architects www.arb.org.uk |
| ASIAD | Aviation Security in Airport Development – Guidance on security for Airports |
| ASF | Anti Shatter film – A film that is applied to glass to give some protection again glass fragments or spall, often transparent |
| BL | Blast Load – A description of the loading or force from an explosion. Used to define what a building needs protection from |
| BR | Bullet Resistance – A description of a material’s resistance to bullets or projectiles. Split into classes, for example BR4 is certain types of handgun. There are many standards. Note the whole component, not just a single material, is important, see FB below |
| CPNI | Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure – A UK government authority which provides security advice for the national infrastructure in order to protect national security https://www.cpni.gov.uk |
| CT | Counter Terrorism |
| CTSA | Counter Terrorism Security Advisers – Police advisers providing guidance to businesses and the community on protecting against terrorism |
| FB | A rating for the bullet or ballistic resistance for a complete component, such a doorset or a window and its frame. This is split into classes, for example FB6 is protection against certain types of rifle |
| Framed Construction | A type of construction where a buildings weight is carried by a skeleton or framework. This is an alternative to where a building is supported by loadbearing walls. Under current UK laws, the removal of a single column does not result in a building collapsing |
| IDS | Intruder Detector system, for example CCTV or sensors triggering alarms |
| ISPS | International Ship and Port Facility Code – Regime for maritime security http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Security/Guide_to_Maritime_Security/Pages/SOLAS-XI-2%20ISPS%20Code.aspx |
| Laminated glass | Layers of glass of various thickness bonded together with interlayers such as transparent plastics – a glass sandwich |
| HVM | Hostile Vehicle Mitigation – Protective measure against vehicle borne threats |
| Loadbearing masonry | Traditional brick (or block work) construction where each brick rests on the brick below. That is, each brick transfers the load and carries part of the whole structure above it. Generally only used now in small low buildings. Not good in an explosion or earthquake. See also Framed construction above |
| NaCTSO | National Counter Terrorism Security Office – The police unit advising on the protection against terrorism, working with CPNI. Responsible for the CTSA police advisers. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-counter-terrorism-security-office |
| OR | Operational Requirements – A statement of the security requirements for a building based on a systematic assessment using CPNI guidelines. Usually split into a general Level 1, followed by specific Level 2’s |
| PAS | Publically Available Specification – A British document that is similar to a standard formal standard, but can be produced more quickly for reasons such as it does not always have full consensus from all technical stakeholders |
| PBIED | Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device |
| PIDS | Perimeter Intruder Detector system, for example CCTV or sensors triggering alarms |
| RIBA | Royal Institute of British Architects. The main professional body for Architects. Architect members are allowed to call themselves Chartered Architect https://www.architecture.com |
| Risk | Threat and Vulnerability |
| RSES | Register of Security Engineers and Specialists – The only UK government sponsored register of security experts. The assessment and code of ethics is administered by the ICE for the CPNI https://www.cpni.gov.uk/register-security-engineers-and-specialists-rses |
| SIDOS | Security in design of stations. Guidance on physical security for railway stations https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/security-in-design-of-stations-sidos-guide |
| Spall | The fragments of glass ejected from the rear of glass etc when hit by a projectile or blast |
| Standoff | A safety margin or physical distance between the threat and its target , e.g. how many metres between an explosive and a building |
| SVBIED | Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device |
| Threat | Intention and Capability |
| Toughened glass | Toughened, or tempered glass, is a type of safety glass that breaks into small granular chunks instead of sharp shards or pieces |
| VBIED | Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device |
