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what is sterile area at the airport

by Rachelle Pacocha V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The “Sterile Area” refers to portions of an airport defined in the airport security program that provides passengers access to boarding aircraft and to which the access generally is controlled by TSA, an aircraft operator, or a foreign air carrier.Jun 15, 2004

Full Answer

What are the security areas of an airport?

At TSA-regulated airports, security related areas include: the Secured Area, Air Operations Area (AOA), Security Identification Display Area (SIDA), Sterile Area, and Airport Tenant Security Program (ATSP) Area. General aviation transient parking and T-hangars are usually located in the AOA.

What information is collected for SIDA and sterile area worker security threats?

The following information is collected for SIDA and Sterile Area Worker security threat assessments: full name, aliases, date of birth, citizenship, gender, race, height, weight, eye color, hair color, fingerprints, place of birth, social security number, address, employer’s name, and employer’s address.

What are the security requirements for airports?

Airport management may also be required to conduct security background checks and issue identification badges to hundreds of employees and other personnel authorized to enter movement areas, including tenant aircraft owners.

Where are general aviation transient parking facilities usually located?

General aviation transient parking and T-hangars are usually located in the AOA. Each airport operator must carry out measures for controlling entry to the AOA to prevent and detect the unauthorized entry, presence, and movement of individuals and ground vehicles into or within the AOA.

What is a non sterile area in an airport?

The non-sterile area is anywhere that access is uncontrolled, such as the passenger loading and unloading zone outside the terminal, baggage claim, the ticket counters, and the security queue.

What is included in the sterile area of an airport?

Sterile area means an area, including the Airport concourses, that provides passengers access to boarding aircraft and to which the access is controlled by the TSA through the screening of persons and property, at a Security Screening Area.

What do you mean by sterile area?

A sterile pharmaceutical controlled area is principally divided into two sections: the general area and the critical area. The general area is the section of the rooms where the existence of contaminants will not directly influence the sterility of products.

Which is not included in the sterile area?

Any torn, previously opened, or wet packaging, or packaging that has been dropped on the floor, is considered non-sterile and may not be used in the sterile field. 2. A sterile object becomes non-sterile when touched by a non-sterile object. Sterile objects must only be touched by sterile equipment or sterile gloves.

What is sterile process?

Sterile processing is the cleaning, inspecting, disinfection and/or sterilization of medical devices used during a surgical procedure. The professionals in the hospital responsible for these tasks play a critical role in a healthcare facility's ability to provide safe patient care- every instrument, every time.

How do I ensure my sterility?

To achieve sterility a device must go through the sterilization process, have sterilized components, sterile filtration, and be contained in a sterilized container, and go through chemical or physical sterilization and aseptic processing.Jul 10, 2019

Where does the sterile area begin?

The sterile area is defined as the space beyond the security screening checkpoint. Only ticketed and screened passengers, or holders of Sterile Area Worker (SAW) badge or a SIDA identification badge may proceed into this area.

How do you control the sterile areas?

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What is airport access control?

Airport access control systems are normally considered in two parts: the first provides the vetting, approval and credential issuance process, and the second is a physical access control system that uses the resulting credential to provide or deny access. All individuals employed by or at airports require some sort of airport identification (ID) media to enter secure areas. Different types of ID media authorize different levels of unescorted access. The measures for controlling entry to the AOA must incorporate “accountability” procedures to maintain their integrity.

What is TSA airport security?

Under Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security regulations, airports are required to have a complete TSA-approved Airport Security Program (ASP) when scheduled airlines operate aircraft with 61 or more seats.

How long does it take for a TSA to be circularized?

AOPA has always advocated that TSA Security Directives should be publicly circularized within 180 days of taking effect so as to allow public comment and to promote reasonable transparency.

Where are transient parking and T hangars located?

General aviation transient parking and T-hangars are usually located in the AOA. Each airport operator must carry out measures for controlling entry to the AOA to prevent and detect the unauthorized entry, presence, and movement of individuals and ground vehicles into or within the AOA.

Does TSA have ASP?

The TSA works with the airport management to craft an ASP that fits that airport. However, transient and based pilots, AOPA and the public do not have access to the specific requirements that govern airport security nor to finalized ASPs. This is because the information is considered Sensitive Security Information (SSI).

Do airports have to have ASP?

It is not unusual for pilots relocating their aircraft from one airport to another, or for tenants at an airport that is initiating new or larger commercial service, to encounter different security requirements. Under Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security regulations, airports are required to have a complete TSA-approved Airport Security Program (ASP) when scheduled airlines operate aircraft with 61 or more seats. Airport management may also be required to conduct security background checks and issue identification badges to hundreds of employees and other personnel authorized to enter movement areas, including tenant aircraft owners. These requirements can become tricky for both transient pilots and airport management because transient pilots lack locally issued security credentials.

Is the general aviation ramp located independently from commercial operations?

If general aviation ramp is located independently from commercial operations areas, the “time and distance” concept could be considered to deter and delay the access of unauthorized individuals onto non-public areas of airports. Locating general aviation ramp independently from commercial operations helps avoid imposing commercial security procedures on general aviation operations.

What is sterile area in airport?

The sterile area is where access is controlled, such as the part of the passenger terminal that’s inside of security screening, or the outdoor areas inside of fenced checkpoints, ...

When you're in the sterile side of the transition zone, do you need to be alert?

You are transiting from an area with a higher level of security to one that may not be secured at all, so you need to make a conscious effort to increase your level of awareness as you enter this higher threat area.

Why are there escape paths at airports?

Escape Paths. Since it’s important to control public access to certain areas in the airport environment, there are many doors that are either locked or alarmed. There are also many areas that are simply posted as “off limits” to the public, without much to actually block your entry.

Is it possible to attack a non-sterile area?

So, it’s important to fix this in your mind: While an attack within the sterile area is less likely than an attack in the non-sterile area, either is entirely possible. As a result, you need to maintain a good level of awareness when you’re at the airport, no matter where you are.

Can you carry a gun in an airport?

We should recognize that there are many states where the possession of a concealed weapon in the non-sterile areas of an airport is entirely lawful. In these states, an armed citizen with the appropriate concealed carry permit may travel freely in places like the loading and unloading zone at the curb, or the baggage claim area. As a result, it’s possible that you could be lawfully armed with your firearm at the moment an airport is attacked.

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Airport Security Program Requirements

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It is not unusual for pilots relocating their aircraft from one airport to another, or for tenants at an airport that is initiating new or larger commercial service, to encounter different security requirements. Under Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security regulations, airports are required to have a complet…
See more on aopa.org

Lack of Transparency

  • Each airport is unique, and general aviation tenants should always be a part of the planning process for security-related matters that may affect their operations. The TSA works with the airport management to craft an ASP that fits that airport. However, transient and based pilots, AOPA and the public do not have access to the specific requirements that govern airport securit…
See more on aopa.org

General Aviation Tenants

  • General aviation tenants should always be a part of an airport’s planning process for security-related matters that may affect their operations. TSA-regulated airports are required to designate an Airport Security Coordinator (ASC). The ASC is responsible for compliance with the ASP and is the point of contact for the airport’s security-related affairs. General aviation tenants and pilots …
See more on aopa.org

General Aviation Transient Pilots

  • Transient pilots lack locally issued security credentials and unescorted access authority. Therefore, airports must implement specific procedures to control access to general aviation transient ramps. 1. General aviation transient pilots have a valid reason to be on a general aviation ramp. 2. General aviation transient pilots carry credentials: FAA pilot certificate and government …
See more on aopa.org

Leveraging Airport Layout

  • It is recommended to exclude general aviation operations area from SIDA and commercial operations areas as much as it is practicable. If general aviation ramp is located independently from commercial operations areas, the “time and distance” concept could be considered to deter and delay the access of unauthorized individuals onto non-public areas of airports. Locating gen…
See more on aopa.org

Gate Considerations

  • At some airports, a physical gate may be installed to separate general aviation ramp from commercial operations areas to minimize potential security conflicts. Both RTCA DO-230: Standards for Airport Security Access Control Systemsand Safe Skies PARAS 0004: Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design, and Constructioninclude section…
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Technical Solutions

  • AOPA participates in RTCA Special Committee SC-224, Airport Security Access Control Systems, and helps maintain the industry standard document DO-230. This document provides guidance on acquiring and designing such systems, testing and evaluating system performance, and system operational requirements. DO-230 is updated annually to include the latest technologies and tec…
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Where Can I Find More Information?

  • Individuals can reference guidance materials such as Standards for Airport Security Access Control Systems (DO-230I), National Safe Skies Alliance’s Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design, and Construction, and any recommendations issued by the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC). Updated October 10, 2018
See more on aopa.org

Know The Terrain, Assess The Risks

  • From a security perspective, an airport is divided into two kinds of areas—the sterile and non-sterile areas. The sterile area is where access is controlled, such as the part of the passenger terminal that’s inside of security screening, or the outdoor areas inside of fenced checkpoints, such as the aircraft ramp or baggage sorting stations. The no...
See more on armedcitizensnetwork.org

Borders and Transition Zones

  • It’s especially important for you to have a high level of awareness when you approach “borders” and “transition zones” at airports. For our purposes here, we’ll define “borders” as the division between sterile and non-sterile areas, and “transition zones” as the immediate areas on either side of that border. For example, when you’re standing in the queue to go through security screening, …
See more on armedcitizensnetwork.org

Escape Paths

  • Since it’s important to control public access to certain areas in the airport environment, there are many doors that are either locked or alarmed. There are also many areas that are simply posted as “off limits” to the public, without much to actually block your entry. Because it would be problematic for us to violate these boundaries in normal circumstances, there’s a tendency to di…
See more on armedcitizensnetwork.org

Assets

  • When you’re in an environment where you can’t be armed with a traditional weapon, the police become an even more critical asset to ensure your safety. Unfortunately, law enforcement personnel are typically absent in most parts of the non-sterile area. There may be a uniformed officer directing traffic outside the terminal or ticketing cars that are left in the loading zone unat…
See more on armedcitizensnetwork.org

Free States and Battlefield Pickups

  • We should recognize that there are many states where the possession of a concealed weapon in the non-sterile areas of an airport is entirely lawful. In these states, an armed citizen with the appropriate concealed carry permit may travel freely in places like the loading and unloading zone at the curb, or the baggage claim area. As a result, it’s possible that you could be lawfully armed …
See more on armedcitizensnetwork.org

The Final Weapon

  • Steinbeck wrote that, “The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.” This is true in all conflict, but even more so in a conflict that occurs where you have been disarmed by security protocols, such as in an airport. Your awareness and your ability to detect and avoid threats is always critical to your survival, but when you’re deprived of the ability to carry and use a suitable …
See more on armedcitizensnetwork.org

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