2

Perimeter Fencing:❏ Provide a minimum

“standoff distance” of148 feet from the outsideperimeter fence to criticalfacilities or buildingsinside the perimeter fence

❏ Use fencing that resistsclimbing with 9 gaugeor thicker wire:

Chain-link fencing withsmall mesh openings

Expanded metalmesh fencing

Climb-resistantsecurity fencing

Ornamental ironfencing topped withcurved pickets

❏ Fencing should be 7 feetor higher

❏ Top with one or twooutriggers with one ormore of the following:

Barbed wire strands

Razor tape

Concertina wire rolls

❏ Anchor fence posts inconcrete footings

❏ Avoid opaque fencing,walls, or landscapingalong perimeter thatmight provide hidingplaces for vandals

Vandalism Prevention Design ChecklistWastewater treatment systems can incorporate designelements that protect people, equipment, structures, andproperty. Wastewater utility decision-makers, consultingengineers, and designers will find this checklist useful inpreventing and reducing vandalism.

3

Cle

ar Z

on

eStandoff Distance

❏ Provide a “clear zone”of 50 to 100 feet

❏ Minimize landscapingand other features thatprovide concealment

Clear-Zone Area (area from landscaping inside perimeterfence to building exterior):

Landscaping:❏ Tree branches/leaves in

parking lots should be atleast 10 feet above thelot surface

❏ Interior shrubs and bushesshould not be higher than18 inches

❏ Avoid landscaping thatmay obstruct lightingwhen the plants reachmature height

❏ Use plant materials thatprevent easy passage asboundary delineators (e.g.crown of thorns and otherthorned shrubs, hollies,Spanish bayonet)

4

❏ Prevent creation ofhiding places inblind pathways,outdoor storageyards, or unlockedutility vehicles

❏ Entrances tobuildings shouldbe well-lit, well-defined, and visibleto public areas andpatrol vehicles

❏ Restrict access from frontentry point to inside offices

❏ Install an emergencyalarm connected to a localpolice station or securityfirm in the reception areaof large facilities

❏ Place elevators close tomain entrances

❏ Design stairwayswithout solid walls tocreate visibility

❏ Position all employeeentrances next toemployee parking

❏ Design interior windowsand doors to providevisibility into hallways

❏ Place dumpsters, loadingdocks, poles, and laddersaway from buildings sothey cannot be used togain access to roofs

❏ Place climb-resistant cagesaround exterior ladders

❏ Position restroomentrances to be observablefrom nearby offices orwork areas

❏ Use non-flammablebuilding materials

❏ Use non-removable bolts,hinges, screws and otherattachments to preventremoval of locks, fittingsand other items attachedto surfaces

❏ Plan storage areas forvehicular access bypatrol cars

❏ Locate waste gas burnersat least 50 feet fromother structures

❏ Connect alarms andmonitoring systems toan uninterruptiblepower supply

❏ Install chemical pipingbelow ground if possible

Buildings and Other Structures:

5

❏ Use lighting that:

Enables employees orpeople parking to noteindividuals at night ata distance of 75 feetor more

Allows employees toidentify a human faceat 33 feet

Is a minimum of 2.2lux around key assets

Is at least 16 to 22 luxat entry and exit points

Has low-profile orrecessed lenses

Uses vandal-resistantplastics such aspolycarbonate insteadof glass light fixtures

Is 54 lux and higherwhen additionallighting is required

Signage:❏ Use highly-visible signage

❏ Use building numbersrather than treatmentprocess names to identifystructures of buildings

❏ Minimize signage thatwould guide vandals tovulnerable assets

❏ Place signs high onbuildings out-of-reach

Exterior Lighting:❏ Install lighting on high

posts or on building wallsso fixtures are out-of-reach

❏ Illuminate exterior areassurrounding key assets,buildings and structures

❏ Provide sufficient lightingat all entrances tobuildings

❏ Use scratch- and vandal-resistant finishes thatprevent corrosion, bendingor deforming

❏ Lock or conceal lightingfittings or controls

6

❏ Secure manholecovers with straps,bolt-type lockingdevices, or panlocks on sewerslocated:

Along streams

Crossing streams

In remoterecreationalareas

❏ Reduce the number ofmanholes in remote areasby increasing theconventional distance(300 - 400 ft) betweenmanholes if newermaintenance equipmentis available

❏ Avoid exposed sanitarysewer pipe crossings byburying force mains orinverted siphons

❏ Secure air-release valveson bridge crossings with ametal enclosure orperimeter fence

❏ Restrict access to exposedforce mains on bridges orother exposed locationswith a fan-shaped fencewith or without barbedwire where the pipelinebegins its crossing

❏ Secure pumping stations by:

Installing themunderground witha minimal amountof equipmentabove ground

Locating them wherepeople can observepossible vandals andalert police

Manholes, Sewers, Force Mains, and Pumping Stations:

7

Access and Parking:❏ Have no more than two

designated and monitoredentrances

❏ Position all pedestrianentrances next tovehicle entrances

❏ Control access with fencesand gates

❏ Define vehicle entrancesby using different pavingmaterials and signage

❏ Place entrances andparking areas sothey are visible tobuilding occupants

❏ Avoid dead-end drivewaysand paths

Pipes, Valves, andOther Equipment:❏ Locate critical pipes,

valves and otherequipment behind sturdyfencing or panels withtamperproof fastenings

❏ Provide locked securitycages around exposedcritical equipment, meters,and electrical transformers

❏ Use vandal-resistant lockson gates, valves, andswitches

Also Consider UsingThese Types ofVandal-resistant Items:❏ Composite plastics, glazed

concrete masonry units orglazed ceramic tiles thatresist graffiti, shattering,and scratches

❏ Additional alarms, locks,sensors, security cameras,and equipment to detectintruders

❏ Non-stick, no-markpolyurethane-based paintsand coatings for internalor external surfaces

❏ Strong, exteriorfurnishings anchored toconcrete if possible

❏ Doors that are difficult topenetrate, windows thatare difficult to break, andfacades that are moreresistant to projectiles

The information in this brochure was developed from:“Interim Voluntary Security Guidance for Wastewater/Stormwater Utilties”, by the American Society of Civil Engineers,American Water Works Association, and the Water EnvironmentFederation. December 9, 2004. The full document can bedownloaded from this web site:http://www.wef.org/ConferencesTraining/TrainingProfessionalDevelopment/WaterSecurity/WEFSecurityGuidance.htm

“Optimizing Operation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation ofSanitary Sewer Collection Systems,” by New England InterstateWater Pollution Control Commission, December 2003. The fulldocument can be downloaded from this web site:http://www.neiwpcc.org/Index.htm?omrmanual.htm~mainFrame.

“Asset Based Vulnerability Checklist for Wastewater Utilities”, byAssociation of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies, January 2002.http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org.

Funding to design and print this brochure was received from the United StatesEnvironmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health.

Photos by Julia Riley and Bill Desing. Design by Linda Pohlod.

Wisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesBureau of Watershed Management

P.O. Box 7921Madison, WI 53707-7921

This brochure is available in PDF format at:http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/ww/security/

PUB-WT-845 2006

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in itsemployment, programs, services and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan.

If you have any questions, please write to: Equal Opportunity Office, Department of theInterior, Washington, D.C., 20240.

This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc)upon request. Please call (608) 267-7694 for more information.

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