U.S. Court Facilities
Provide standard, emergency, backup, clean, and predefined electrical power needs,
including battery-powered lights.
Provide mechanical conditioning of the space.
Provide fire detection and protection systems, including fire department building access
and control.
USMS is responsible for funding or providing all furnishings, office equipment, electronic
security hardware remote control devices and wiring, communications systems and wiring,
security surveillance and monitoring systems and wiring, computer systems and wiring, UPS
required for the various systems, and building unique requirements such as upper floor
exterior bullet-resistant glazing.
The design of the facility must consider expansion of USMS areas and security needs for the
30-year plan. Areas designated for future location of holding cells must have adequate floor-
loading capacity for detention construction. The routing of HVAC main building supply
ductwork should avoid areas where detention or USMS space will be located. Access and
placement of secure elevators must be planned for both current and future layouts. As courts
are expanded, USMS must have adequate space within the court facility to provide the direct
services to the Federal courts.
General Security Requirements
Architectural security in court facilities include:
Vehicle entry ideally should be four points of entry - if not feasible, three points, but
never five.
Secure judicial parking, and minimizing other vehicles within the facility.
A single screened entry point to court- and judicial-occupied areas of the facility.
Separated circulation systems with restricted access control.
Controlled area-of-refuge for emergency egress.
Page 26
April 5, 1996
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