National Institutes of Health, Security Projects

Bethesda, Maryland

WFT provided electrical design, security integration, and construction administration services for two fast-track, design build projects for the NIH:

(1) Installation of a campus perimeter security fence, and

(2) Installation of vehicle inspection stations throughout the Campus


Perimeter Security

The enclosure of the 400-acre campus included providing layers of physical security, surveillance, access control and emergency call systems for pedestrians and vehicles while allowing for the design of a lighted community bike path along the non-secure side of the perimeter fence line. The physical security included installation of a nine-foot-high high anti climb iron fence backed up by a vehicle anti ram cable barrier system with a 250-foot set back from any campus building to minimize the effects of a potential blast. Eight roadway reconfigurations were designed to safely and securely manage vehicular traffic onto and off the campus through the use of vehicle portals, cantilevered sliding gates, long range proximity card readers, surveillance cameras, digital video recorders, rising road barriers, lift gate arms, site lighting, bollards, bullet proof guard booths, and emergency communication towers. All of the security systems where interconnected to the NIH Emergency Command Center. Fourteen perimeter campus wide dedicated power and communication collection points were designed. Each of the collection points were designed with a manual transfer switch and a portable generator connection point in the event of a power failure. The security equipment has battery backup capacity to allow for critical transfer time.

Completed:  2004


Vehicle Inspection Stations

A phased installation of 24×7 vehicle security checkpoints serving the Campus required a fast track design and construction schedule in order to enable campus visitation to continue and minimize disruption to the NIH mission. The project scope included detailed site investigation, preparation of coordinated demolition and construction documents, cost estimates and construction administration services for installation of efficient, high bay, metal halide lighting, weatherproof power receptacles, air-conditioned guard facilities and specialized generator fuel systems. The project also included installation of underground telephone and LAN wire-ways, spot network transformers and switchgear with zero downtime.

Completed:  2002