Bomb-Resistant Trash Receptacles a Solution to Vulnerable Targets

Trash receptacles are a potential threat to public safety, considering how easily they can conceal an explosive device.

Ordinary trash receptacles become part of an attack and maximize the intensity of a bomb by spraying shrapnel across great distances. Because trash receptacles are necessary for waste management, companies now are developing bomb-resistant waste receptacles to address this vulnerable target.

Unfortunately, there are no set guidelines for vendors to follow when developing bomb resistant waste receptacles, so it is important to ask the right questions before buying.

First, obtain an official test report from the vendor. This report should explain how the product was tested and show how the explosive containment rating was obtained. These explosive containment ratings should not be publicized because if terrorists learn of the rating, they could defeat the technology by introducing a bigger bomb into the facility. Similarly, it should never be disclosed to the media that a facility has deployed bomb-resistant waste receptacles, because doing so will enable the terrorist to coordinate a different type of attack.

The official test reports should state the types of explosives used, how the explosives were packed, and what the explosives were packed inside to confirm that an accurate and identical explosives charge was used for all tests. Venues need to be certain the test report was written by a recognized U.S. testing facility and that it is detailed, provides close-up, post-detonation photos, and is accompanied by video footage taken from the testing.

Bottom center, sidewall weld seam, sidewall opposite weld seam and midpoint center detonations are essential tests for determining an accurate explosives containment rating. These tests are crucial for ensuring the receptacle will withstand a realistic attack. In addition to tests using C4 or TNT to measure blast-energy containment, fragmentation-containment tests also should be conducted by testing with pipe bombs.

To create a realistic deployment scenario, the receptacle must be anchored to a concrete or steel slab during testing. Placing the receptacle on a dirt surface, which can absorb a lot of the blast energy, certainly is not a real-life deployment/explosion scenario.

It is equally important that, without exception, the lid and every component of the lid remains attached to the receptacle during all detonations. During explosions, the initial blast energy and fragmentation is contained horizontally and the remaining blast energy is directed vertically.

Liners holding the trash bags in place should be made of a plastic material — never metal — to minimize damage should parts of the liner fragment during an explosion and become airborne.

Bomb-waste receptacles should be anchored to withstand a minimum of 4,000 pounds of shear (horizontal) and tension (vertical) force. This ensures the can does not tip over, creating a cannon for any secondary explosive devices that did not detonate with the first.

Correctly installed, high-quality bomb-resistant waste receptacles can help venue security personnel better protect the perimeter of a facility and improve public safety.

For more information, please visit www.bombdetection.com.