Challenges with SCIF installations

Peak Alarm Salt Lake Office

Always get specifications, equipment to be installed and work approved by the AO which is the Authorizing Official. (In writing) Always check the actual regs and code for each installation including the job specifications. Code can change and has changed so most of the time refer to current code as long as it has been adopted by the organization that you are working for.

Military SCIFs are very different than normal security installation projects so be very careful when bidding, pricing, installation, service and monitoring. The Military has specific regulations for techs so they can service and install the security systems. Currently the Utah Army National Guard has three manufactures which are Bosch,ELK and Honeywell. Currently even though Bosch and Honeywell are approved the Utah Army National Guard would prefer that ELK equipment be used instead of the other two.

Above ceilings PIRs were dropped as a requirement in CONUS back in 1998 when DCID 6/9 replaced DCID 1/21. Without regular stimulation PIRs go to sleep. Sometimes power needs to be cycled to wake the motions up when they have not seen activity in some time. Another reason is THREAT. The threat in the US wasn't high enough to warrant the extra sensors. The threat model is detecting a human before he or she can get away with the goods. That human would have to drop down into operational spaces to retrieve anything worth stealing. There are exceptions so working in conjunction with UL2050 and the AO along with the other regulations according to the exact type of facility.

Currently there no requirements for the IDS wiring to be in conduit as long as it remains inside the protected area. The old DIAM 50-3 required conduit as did an older version of DoD 5200. Most organizations have retired the DIAM 50-3 and the new 5200 only requires conduit should the lines leave the confines of the protected area. The reasons for backing off the use of conduit for the most part is due to cost. Specific organizations may still need to use conduit if it is required by their Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority. (CTTA)

ULs requirements and guidance on tampers of junction boxes require tamper switches or anti-tamper screws in boxes where there are splices. If the box is a pull through box there is no need for any tampers or tamper screws.

There are only 3 local public monitoring stations in Utah that have the CRZH UL listing: Peak Alarm, Stanley Convergent Security Solutions and TYCO. There are only 2 local public monitoring UL listed Stations in Utah that have the CRZM to receive signals: Peak Alarm and Avantguard.

Call Larry Love at Peak Alarm (801) 428 1384 Larry@peakalarm.com Peak Alarm web site ask for Larry Love