scope:

Scope, Purpose, & Application

Telecommunications Facilities Covered

This above-baseline standard applies to ICT facilities in public telecommunications networks in which a special measure of resistance to damage from high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) is desired. It describes electrical protection measures that extend beyond the baseline-level measures against the normally encountered electromagnetic threats included in ATIS-0600308.2013 and ATIS-0600313.2013. The measures of this standard are intended for telecommunications facilities that contain electronic communications equipment, including switching centers, central offices, data centers, signal transfer points, head-ends, Electronic Equipment Enclosures (EEE), routers, and any other subsystem upon which critical services (e.g., Lifeline, E911) are dependent.

Application of Protection Measures

This standard is intended to provide practical and cost-effective electrical/electromagnetic protection measures that will impart a basic level of protection against HEMP for ICT facilities of public telecommunications networks. It presents a background of generalized measures to be applied to a specific site. The protection measures of this above-baseline standard shall be negotiated with each individual service provider as each situation arises.

Measures Not Covered

This standard does not cover the specialized and comprehensive measures that would be needed for nearabsolute immunity to HEMP on special-purpose, hardened telecommunications routes. Detailed site-specific measures are beyond the scope of this standard and are subject to negotiation between user and supplier. The measures described in this standard apply at the facility level, and do not provide techniques for the protection of specific network equipment or components. The significant contributions to network outages associated with concomitant power outages that can occur as a result of HEMP events are not covered here. See Informative Annex C for additional information regarding protecting critical equipment, facilities, and communications/data centers against electromagnetic pulse events.