c


  c  

m
m
ROOM AND BUILDING SEARCHES

Under optimum conditions, room and building searches will be

conducted by persons familiar with the building and its contents. These
persons are by far the most qualified to recognize any new items of sign of
anything being ³out of place´. When a situation arises that requires
Military police, security, emergency response, or other law enforcement
personnel to conduct a search of a room, building, or facility, the following
points should be considered:

A.mGeneral rules of thumb:

1)m Searches should be organized and conducted in a systematic, orderly,

and logical sequence:

m Establish a command and control center near the site. m

m Begin from the outside and move inward. m
m Concentrate on public areas where terrorists would have easier access,
then move to private areas. m
m Conduct searches from the bottom or lower levels of a build and move
upward.m

2) Whenever possible, searches should be conducted by trained search

teams. Additionally, teams should be divided into areas of primary
responsibility:

m Exterior Team m
m ]ublic Area Team m
m Room Teams m
m Misc. Teams m

Teams should consist of a minimum of two persons.

3) Additionally, the following rules should be adhered to whenever

possible:

m Utilize K9 for high value areas.

m Utilize individuals familiar with spaces (Floor wardens, maintenance
personnel, etc.).
m Coordinate search with facility manager.
m When feasible, obtain building floor diagrams or blueprints to aid in
organizing the search.
 m Be aware of signs of new construction or repair work.
m Report status to Command Control as search progresses.
m Immediately report any suspicious items.
m Mark the location near the suspicious device using pre-determined
signs or flags. Taping a string on the floor next to the suspicious device
and leading it to the building entrance is the best method of marking
an item. In this method, the EOD team does not require a guide to
show them the device.

4) Safety ]recautions:

m   c cc 

   

 ! c " 

" # cc$

c
c#c c%
m Communications
m RF transmission can be a hazard Use landline telephone or runner.
m RF Transmission hazard distances can vary based on location and
scenario. Contact local EOD or Bomb Disposal technicians for
specific advice.
m Turn on lights? Scenario specific determination should be made in this
instance.m
 B. Detailed Room Sweep:

1) Conduct quick visual scan for suspicious items or anything

out of place.
m Listen to ambient room sounds for mechanical ticking.
m Divide room in half and into four horizontal layers.
m Floor to waist m
m Waist to eye level m
m Eye level to ceiling m
 m Above false ceilingm
2)mThe search will consist of four sweeps around the room by a
minimum of two personnel.
m The first sweep will be conducted at the lowest level. m
m Search teams should begin the search at a designated
point in the room and work in opposite directions until
they meet at the far end, then continue the search through
the center of the room, working back to the starting point.m
m Subsequent sweeps should be conducted in the same
manner matching the horizontal layer divisions of the
room.m
m Once the room search is complete, it should be reported
to the command center, and the room marked in a
previously decided manner. This will reduce redundant
searches.m
C. Damage Reduction:

If an IED is discovered during the course of a search, and as time and

circumstance allows, the following actions should be taken to reduce
damage in the event of a detonation:

m Adjust evacuation distances based on a worst-case scenario in

consideration of the size and placement of the suspected IED. (NOTE:
See Appendix A ± Determining Safe Blast and Fragmentation
Distances)
m Have emergency services/personnel (EOD, fire, and emergency
medical) standing by to respond to the incident.
m Be alert for secondary IEDs. A common tactic amongst terrorists is to
detonate an IED, wait for emergency responders, and then detonate a
second IED situated to target the responders.
m Vent potential blast wave into open by opening all doors and windows
m Isolate water/gas/fuel lines and electrical power. ]rior coordination
with facilities maintenance personnel should be conducted during
Force ]rotection planning.
m Consider the use of firefighting foam. Foam has a distinct capability to
reduce the damage from blast overpressure and minimal reduction of
the fragmentation hazard.
m Tamping, or placing shock-absorbent material in the area adjacent to
the suspect device may assist in damage reduction depending on the
size of the device. However, this activity should only be accomplished
be Trained EOD personnel.
 m   
!  
!$


c
% &c c
&

cc"c' #
 %