In an attempt to meet sustainable initiatives architects may propose design tactics that result in an increased danger to building occupants. For example, daylighting may be proposed to decrease artificial lighting demands but this may create a hazard to building occupants in the event the glass is shattered. AT/FP Officers should identify this threat and suggest window coatings or films that both keep glass in sheets when broken reducing safety risks as well as decrease solar heat gain resulting in lower cooling expenses.

Landscape design also offers many opportunities to combine AT/FP regulations and sustainable design strategies. Boulders may be used as bollards or existing topographical features such as berms may be used as barriers to keep vehicles from breaching AT/FP perimeters. Another example may be a waste water lagoon implemented with the intentions of treating sewage but it may also be utilized to prevent pedestrian or vehicle access. Again the key to ensuring the most effective site design is developed is to utilize an integrated design approach.

Safety and security is one of the few planning and design principles that takes precedence over sustainable goals. A landscape design may include trees within proximity of a runway but, as we all know, birds and planes do not mix well thus alternative vegetation should be implemented. We may not always be able to carry out sustainable design strategies due to safety concerns therefore alternative design options should be explored to meet the objectives set out before us. Another example could be parking within the site that eliminates the site design from achieving L.E.E.D. S.S. Credit 5.2 however permeable paving may be used for that parking area in order to achieve L.E.E.D. S.S. Credit 6.2. Multiple planning / design charrettes may be needed in order to produce the safest, most sustainable site design.