In October 2023, Underwriters Laboratory (UL) released the 12th edition of UL 752 a significant update. Edition 11 used the familiar ‘Level 1 through Level 10’ Levels in Edition 11 suggested a simple escalation of protection—higher levels meant stronger materials. In practice, however, the hierarchy masked important differences which meant that higher numeric levels did […]
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Industry Update – General Services Administration: P100 Rescinded
For all you federal architects, engineers, and contractors out there, did you know there has been a big change at the GSA that directly affects all of our work? The GSA rescinded the P100 (Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service) on February 24, 2025. For those of you who have not used the P100, […]
New Year, Same Threats – Updates to Old Tactics
The nature and tactics of explosive threats look to remain consistent in 2025. However, as everything in nature and life, the methods and technologies used to execute these threats are evolving. Traditionally, terrorist explosive threats were assessed as occurring at ground or street level (e.g., explosive-laden cars, trucks, or boats). The Bomb Threat Standoff Cards […]
The Need to Stay Focused Yet Flexible
Every New Year, much like many of you, I take a moment to reflect on my life—my family, my work, and the world around us. As I ponder our current circumstances and the journey that brought us here, I am reminded of the vital role that resilience and adaptability play in overcoming challenges. It’s impossible […]
International Symposium on Interaction of the Effects of Munitions with Structures (ISIEMS) 2024
Attending scientific symposiums offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in the field. Last December, I had the privilege of speaking at the International Symposium on the Interaction of Munitions with Structures (ISIEMS) in Bonn, Germany. There, I presented our risk-based approach to antiterrorism design for buildings to a diverse audience of […]
From Forest to Fortress
What is Mass Timber? Mass timber is an exciting innovation in construction. Unlike traditional solid lumber, it’s engineered by gluing together layers of wood to create a remarkably strong material. Think of it as a giant wooden sandwich with layers stacked on top of each other. Two common types of mass timber are cross-laminated timber […]