References and Technical Instructions:
The primary references PDS application for the U.S. Army
- National Security Agency (NSA) document NSTISSI No. 7003, December 1996
- Technical Implementation Criteria for the Integration for Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet), Version 6.0 dated October 2010.
Section 4.4.4, pages 21-24 specifically addresses Raceway Solutions such as Holocom® PDS as approved for use as a hardened distribution system as long as it meets all NSTISSI 7003 requirements.
Technical Guide descriptors as used are paraphrased as follows:
- A raceway provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance over conduit.
- Life Cycle Cost Savings are realized when a move, add or change is required.
- A raceway facilitates cable lay-in although some cable pulling is required at the fittings and enclosures.
- A raceway must use a ferrous-material, fully enclosed channel that securely houses cables transporting classified information.
- A raceway must have an interlocking design that secures all sections and pieces.
- Access into the raceway through one of the secured “wall-boxes” is required to unlock a section of the raceway.
Note this Technical Guide is not intended for OCONUS or Tactical SIPRNet implementation, however, an OCONUS addendum is being developed.
The Holocom Quality Assurance Checklist guides completion of a technically competent and aesthetic product installation. Finally if installation training and certification is required by the US Army, the Holocom Technical Services is ready to assist.
US Army Holocom Raceway Standards:
- The Army standard is all ferrous-material (Steel) raceway.
- Any non-standard raceway design (not in accordance with Technical Guidance) for CONUS requires approval in writing by the DAA to include acceptance of risk mitigation responsibility.
- All Army PDS design, standard or non-standard, must be approved by the Army CTTA per the August 2007 DAMI-CD Memorandum before design completion, material purchase and any work beginning.
US Army Holocom PDS Enclosure Standards:
- The standard is 16-gauge sheet-metal enclosures.
US Army Holocom Epoxy Standards:
The US Army CONUS standard is full seam epoxy. For questions regarding epoxy, contact Holocom Customer Service at customerservice@holocom.com.
Paragraph .4.4b(3) Technical Implementation Criteria … requires that…”All seams and joints shall be completely sealed through welding … or epoxy material:
- Includes all seams on the base and the top cover, and all adjoining connectors (elbows, T’s, angles, etc.)
- Entire length of raceway seam must be sealed. For raceway using a top cap, this applies to both sides of the top cap.
- Does not specify an opaque or a translucent epoxy.
- For aesthetics, Holocom prefers and normally offers a translucent epoxy that is sag resistant and cures rapidly.
- The accepted method of epoxy application is a bead of epoxy around and along all connector and raceway seams.
- Use of epoxy to seal connector seams should include the door of the Universal Connector as there is no Sargent & Greenleaf® lock being used.
- No requirement for epoxy where the Interface Sleeve Flange contacts an “end user” or similar enclosure.
- Epoxy application standards, techniques and specifications are easily obtained from the Holocom Technical Services Division.
- Again, any non-standard consideration to not use epoxy must be approved by both the DAA and the Army CTTA (See above.).
CONUS/OCONUS Standards
Note that ISEC and CTTA definitions of CONUS and OCONUS differ where Hawaii and Alaska are concerned. As standards decisions are being reviewed, we recommend that the end user ask for current guidance when submitting for review a requirement for PDS.
 US Army PDS Standards
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