A foundation for a system for protecting a surface is disclosed. The foundation comprises a base, a suction assembly, a shield and one or more supports. The suction assembly may include a suction member having a rim, and a pump. The suction member is configured to be releasably sealed against the surface. The shield may be mounted to the outer face of the base. The shield is disposed opposite to the suction member and is configured to obstruct penetration by a fastener into the portion of the outer face covered by the shield. The one or more supports are mounted to the outer face. Each support includes a ledge that extends outward from the base. Also disclosed is a system for boarding-up a window disposed in a structure.

A foundation for a system for protecting a surface is disclosed. The foundation comprises a base, a suction assembly, a shield and one or more supports. The suction assembly may include a suction member having a rim, and a pump. The suction member is configured to be releasably sealed against the surface. The shield may be mounted to the outer face of the base. The shield is disposed opposite to the suction member and is configured to obstruct penetration by a fastener into the portion of the outer face covered by the shield. The one or more supports are mounted to the outer face. Each support includes a ledge that extends outward from the base. Also disclosed is a system for boarding-up a window disposed in a structure.

A compactable and portable shelter can include side panels, front and rear panels roof panels and a spine panel that are hingedly connected by continuous hinges in a manner that enables the panels to collapse onto each other and into a small profile unit for ease of transport, deployment and recovery. A window and door can be formed in at least one front or rear wall panel. Support brackets can hold wall panels upright at ninety degrees with respect to floor panels. A solar power system can provide electrical power for lighting and electronic device charging to occupants of the shelter. Adjustable legs connected at exterior corners of the base can level the left base flow panel and the right base floor panel. Panels can be thermally insulated.

A shielding system includes a plurality of transportable modules, wall panels, or pods that are connectable to form a containment area and to define a radiation barrier. Each of the plurality of transportable modules has a first radiation wall defining the containment area, a second radiation wall spaced apart from the second wall, and a radiation shielding fill material positioned between the first radiation shielding wall and the second radiation shielding wall. The radiation shielding fill material includes one of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) filling a portion of a void between the first radiation wall and the second radiation wall, or a non-Newtonian fluid completely filling the void between the first radiation wall and the second radiation wall. A quantity of the radiation shielding fill material is sufficient to substantially reduce measurable radiation level outside the containment area.

A shielding system includes a plurality of transportable modules, wall panels, or pods that are connectable to form a containment area and to define a radiation barrier. Each of the plurality of transportable modules has a first radiation wall defining the containment area, a second radiation wall spaced apart from the second wall, and a radiation shielding fill material positioned between the first radiation shielding wall and the second radiation shielding wall. The radiation shielding fill material includes one of a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) filling a portion of a void between the first radiation wall and the second radiation wall, or a non-Newtonian fluid completely filling the void between the first radiation wall and the second radiation wall. A quantity of the radiation shielding fill material is sufficient to substantially reduce measurable radiation level outside the containment area.

Corner assemblies for protective barriers for protecting assets (e.g., electrical power transformers and other substation components). The corner assembly includes two guide structures oriented perpendicular to each other. The corner assembly includes at least two protective member assemblies disposed within the two guide structures. Each protective member assembly includes two side members within protective members extending horizontally between the two side members.

A method according to one embodiment includes securing a first plurality of conductive sheets to a surface, applying a conductive tape to a first plurality of joints between conductive sheets of the first plurality of conductive sheets, and securing a second plurality of conductive sheets to the first plurality of conductive sheets without fully penetrating the first plurality of conductive sheets. In such an embodiment, each of a second plurality of joints between conductive sheets of the second plurality of conductive sheets is offset relative to the first plurality of joints.

A method according to one embodiment includes securing a first plurality of conductive sheets to a surface, applying a conductive tape to a first plurality of joints between conductive sheets of the first plurality of conductive sheets, and securing a second plurality of conductive sheets to the first plurality of conductive sheets without fully penetrating the first plurality of conductive sheets. In such an embodiment, each of a second plurality of joints between conductive sheets of the second plurality of conductive sheets is offset relative to the first plurality of joints.

A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.

A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway.