What is the order of design priorities for ECP facilities?

• A. Safety, Security, Capacity, Image
• B. Security, Safety, Capacity, Image
• C. Capacity, Image, Safety, Security
• D. Image, Security, Safety, Capacity

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to reduce risk in a layered way, putting protection first, then safety, then operational capability, and finally presentation. Starting with security ensures that access, tampering, and misuse are prevented or detected before focusing on other concerns. If security gaps exist, attempts to enhance safety measures or increase capacity can be rendered ineffective or dangerous because threats could bypass or defeat them. Once robust security is in place, addressing safety systems—such as safe egress, fire protection, emergency power, and personnel protection—guarantees that people and operations remain safe even under fault or attack conditions. After safety, you design for capacity so the facility can handle expected loads, maintain reliability, and tolerate failures without collapsing. Finally, image or appearance is least critical to the facility’s core resilience and function, so it comes last.

So the best order is security, safety, capacity, then image.