Special Access Program Facilities (SAPFs) are specialized spaces that satisfy the criteria for generating, safeguarding, handling, discussing, and storing classified or unclassified program materials.
Famous SAPFs include the Sandia National Laboratories, the Kirtland Air Force Base, the Eglin Air Force Base, and Air Force Plant 83 in Albuquerque, NM.
Similar to SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities) SAPFs are classified based on operational requirements.
SAPF classifications include:
- Continuous Operation Facilities (i.e. Accredited facilities staffed and operated 24/7),
- Open Storage Facilities (i.e. Accredited facilities in which Sensitive Compartmented Information or Special Access Program information may be openly stored or processed without use of U.S. General Services Administration-approved storage containers),
- Closed StorageFacilities (i.e. Accredited facilities where Sensitive Compartmented Information or Special Access Program material is required to be stored in U.S. General Services Administration-approved storage containers when not in use.)
SAPFs include new structures and temporary areas built in existing structures. SAPFs include facilities within the United States and outside the United States.
SAPFs include new structures and temporary areas built in existing structures. SAPFs include facilities within the United States and outside the United States.
That said, SAPFs typically include the penultimate zone of highest security in a new or existing structure.
More permanent SAPFs, namely Continuous Operation facilities, Open Storage facilities, and Closed Storagefacilities can be incredibly complex structures, requiring special attention to detail throughout design and construction.
Governing SAPF design codes and standards include the Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705 standard, the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) No. 4-010-05, (UFC 4-010-05) SCIFF/SAPF Planning, Design, and Construction standard.
For SAPF design and construction in high-risk areas, governing design codes and standards include the International Building Code (IBC),the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) No. 4-010-01 (UFC 4-010-01), DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings and the UFC 4-023-03, Design of Buildings to Resist Progressive Collapse.
For SAPF Construction-Defect Plaintiff Litigators, identifying the extent a construction defect and/or design defect, while accurately estimating projected repair costs can prove to be a daunting process. This is most notable for litigators citing construction and design standard-of-care violationsand/or defective material quality.
For SAPF Construction-Defect Plaintiff Litigators, identifying the extent a construction defect and/or design defect, while accurately estimating projected repair costs can prove to be a daunting process. This is most notable for litigators citing construction and design standard-of-care violationsand/or defective material quality.
Below are 5 top structural blind spots in SAPF Design and Retrofit Projects for Construction-Defect Plaintiff Litigators
For construction defects or design defects involving structural components it is generally advisable to engage construction-defect and structural forensic engineering experts early on in the case to determine causation, reduce risks, and limit costs.
Preeminent Solutions is a DBE-certified, MWBE-certified, LDB-certified and soon to be 8(a)-certified and WOSB-certified, civil/structural engineering firm specializing in structural forensics and construction-defect expert witness work.
Contact us for your next SAPF Construction-Defect case.
Progressive-Collapse requirements
SAPFs in high-risk regions (i.e. regions prone to terrorist attacks) require antiterrorism upgrades, namely progressive collapse resistance, to reduce collateral damage and to mitigate the scope and severity of mass casualties.
Progressive collapse resistance includes design and construction practices intended toreduce the potential of progressive collapse (i.e. the spread of a local failure from one element to another)for structures that experience localized structural damage through generally unanticipated events.
Protective structural design generally allows for three methods to increase progressive collapse resistance:
• The Tie Force Approach (i.e. the method in which the building is mechanically tied together, thus enhancing continuity and ductility.)
• Structural Redundancy(i.e. the structure’s ability to provide alternative means ofresisting applied loads.)
• Structural Target Hardening (i.e. performance improvements, namely strength improvements, stiffness, and ductility improvements ofindividual structural components.)
Some existing structuresare not ableto readily accommodate all recommended antiterrorism upgrades, particularly tie forces.
Key signs of low structural ability to accommodate tie-forces include:
• Weak or Brittle Connections
• Discontinuous Floor Slabs
• Discontinuous Roof Slabs
• Deteriorated Beams, Girders or Spandrels (i.e. Members that cannot withstand longitudinal, transverse, or peripheral tie force magnitudes while undergoing rotations of 11.3-deg)
Acceptable floor and roof systems (i.e. systems that typically accommodate tie forces well) includecast-in-place concrete and composite decks.
Contact a qualified structural engineer if your structure displays any of the above signs of poor structural redundancy.
Likewise, consult a qualified blast consultant should your structure require antiterrorism retrofits.
Raised-Access Floor Instability
SAPF perimeters include perimeter walls, ceilings, floors, and all penetrations in the perimeter.
SAPF walls must go from top of floor slab (i.e. the “true floor”) to underside of the next floor or roof deck (i.e. the “true ceiling”). Perimeter walls, floors and ceilings must be solidly constructed and attached to each other.
To maintain perimeter wall requirements, many SAPFs use raised floors.
Raised floors provide several advantages including:
• Improved Accessibility for Inspections
• Improved Routing Options for Cables and Utilities
• Expanded Options for HVAC Placement
• Accommodation for Uneven Existing Structure Floors
Despite their benefits, raised floors also have several disadvantages particularly with regards to concentrated equipment loads that can exceed the floor capacity.
Signs of structural overloading in steel-cement raised floors include:
• Bouncy Floors
• Visibly Sagging Floors Panels
• Audible Creaking or Popping Sounds
• Buckled Pedestals
Consult Preeminent Solutions’ Free Online Education Center for resources and checklists regarding structural overloading:
Link:https://psengrinc.com/learning/
Contact a qualified structural engineer if your structure displays any of the above signs of overloading.
Wind-borne Debris Susceptibility
Commonly SAPF new-builds and/or pre-existing structures are situated in areas with high wind-risk and high windborne debris risk, namely from hurricanes and/or other windstorms.
In windborne debris regions, SAPFs must maintain robust perimeters (i.e. perimeter walls, window glazing, door glazing, etc.)
Per the 2024 International Building Code (IBC) Code, the governing code on the matter at time of this publication, in windborne debris regions, glazing shall be impact resistant or protected with the ASTM E1996 (or equivalent) approved impact-resistant covering
Key exceptions include:
• Wood structural panels that meet key IBC criteria including: a minimum thickness of 7/16 in (11.1mm) and more
• Glazing in Risk Category 1 buildings
• Glazing in Risk Category II -IV building that meet key IBC criteria including: positioning/placement 60ft + above the ground, and more.
Key signs of high wind-borne debris susceptibility (i.e. poor wind-borne debris resistance) in buildings include:
• Standard / Single-Pane Window/Door Glazing
• Missing Window/Door Glazing Impact Rating Labels or Stamps for certified missile tests.
• Missing or Under-reinforced Window/Door Glazing Protective Shutters
• Under-reinforced and/or Unreinforced Equipment Garage or Hanger Doors: (i.e. Doors Lack of vertical or horizontal back-brace struts to withstand wind loads)
• Exposed, Lifting, or Loose Soffits
• Lightweight Metal Siding (i.e. thin corrugated steel or aluminum panels)
• Unreinforced or Under-reinforced Masonry Walls
• Poorly Sheathed Exterior Walls
• Corroded/Deteriorated Door Frame Anchors
Failure of window and door glazing often leads to failure of the building envelope, resulting in opportunities for water-intrusion and further damage.
Key signs of wind-borne debris damage in buildings include:
• Dented and/or Warped Metal Wall Panels
• Dented Metal Roof Panels
• Missing or Sheared-off Screws or other Dowel Connectors
• Dented, Bowed, or Track-dislodged Overhead or Roll-up Steel Doors.
• Dented Metal Roof Vents, Chimney Caps
• Gouged or detached edge metal, coping caps, and parapet trims and Flashings
• Tears or Holes in Built-Up Flat Roof
• Dented, Cracked, or Detached gutter runs and downspouts
• Punctured/Scratched Siding
• Punctured Roofing
• Dented Exterior Metal Doors
Such issues are especially relevant in the retrofit of existing structures that were not originally designed to be used as a SAPF facility.
Consult Preeminent Solutions’ Free Online Education Center for resources and checklists regarding structural wind resistance:
Link:https://psengrinc.com/learning/
Contact a qualified structural engineer if your structure displays any of the above signs of wind-borne debris damage.
GSA-Approved Specialized Equipment Concentrated loads
SAPFs, particularly Closed Storage Facilities, typically houseU.S. General Services Administration (GSA)-approved storage containers and equipment namely: heavily-reinforcedsafes, classified storage vaults, server racks, and/or weapons lockers.
The addition of specialized equipment can produce concentrated loads in existing structures leading to slab punching-shear capacity and differential deflections particularly in raised-floor systems.
This issue is especially relevant in the retrofit of existing structures that were not originally designed to be used as a SAPF facility.
Key Signs of slab punching-shear overburdening in concrete slab elements include:
Severe cracking in Slab Elements
Concrete Spalling, Chipping, and Delamination
Differential Deflection of Slab
Consult Preeminent Solutions’ Free Online Education Center for resources and checklists regarding structural overloading:
Link:https://psengrinc.com/learning/
Contact a qualified structural engineer if your structure displays any of the above signs of overloading.
Post-Tension Slab Damage Risk
SAPF retrofits may occur in modern buildings with post-tension (PT) concrete slabs.
PT slabs include concrete slab systems that incorporate pre-tensioned steel cables (i.e. tendons) instead of steel rebar to reinforce the slab.
Accidentally cutting PT tendons can cause sudden load redistribution, slab cracking, or localized failure.
Key signs of PT slab defects include:
Warped Floors (Including Sagging and Heaving).
Rust Staining in Reinforced Elements and at Cable Ends
Anchor Pop-outs & Spalling
Severe Cracking
Consult Preeminent Solutions’ Free Online Education Center for resources and checklists regarding structural overloading:
Link: https://psengrinc.com/learning/
Contact a qualified structural engineer if your structure displays any of the above signs of PT slab defects.
Preeminent Solutions is a DBE-certified, MWBE-certified, LDB-certified and soon to be 8(a)-certified and WOSB-certified, civil/structural engineering firm.
We have over 30 years’ experience in civil/structural design, forensics, and expert work
We’re Licensed in CA, FL, TX, NJ, NY, DC, MD, VA, TN, MS, GA, NC, SC, LA, & more.
Reach out if your team is in need of structural engineering support.
Preeminent Solutions, Inc.
Forensic Structural Engineers & Consultants
📞 (321) 244-8699 | (407) 901-0133
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