Regulations last checked for updates: Dec 08, 2025

Title 6 - Domestic Security last revised: Nov 05, 2025
§ 139.15 - Definitions.

For purposes of this part—

Aircraft means any contrivance invented, used, or designed to navigate, or fly in, the air.

Audio recording means the use of any microphone, device, material, or equipment to capture a sound, including any tape recorder, digital recorder, or other recording device.

Building means an enclosed structure (above or below grade).

Building manager/property manager/facility manager means the individual employed by or through contract with a Federal agency that has real property management and operations authority.

Camping means the use of Federal property for living accommodation purposes. The following activities constitute camping when it reasonably appears, based on the totality of the circumstances, that the participant, in conducting these activities, is in fact using the area as a living accommodation: sleeping or preparing to sleep, including the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping; storing personal belongings; making any fire; using a tent, shelter, other structure, or vehicle for sleeping; doing any digging or earth breaking; or carrying on cooking activities.

Commercial purpose means to undertake an activity with the objective of furthering, promoting, or selling a good or service regardless of whether the activity is intended to produce a profit.

Crime of violence means any offense that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another.

Damaging means injuring, mutilating, defacing, destroying, or impairing the use of any property owned, occupied, or secured by the Federal Government without the consent of the Federal Government.

Dangerous weapon means a weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for, or is readily capable of causing, death or serious bodily injury, except that a pocketknife with a blade of less than two and a half inches in length is not a dangerous weapon.

Designated Official is the highest-ranking official of the primary Federal occupant agency of a Federal facility, or, alternatively, a designee selected by agreement of Federal occupant agency officials.

Emergency means a situation that causes or has the potential to cause imminent danger to life or property, including, but not limited to, terrorist attacks, bombings and bomb threats, shootings, civil disturbances, fires, explosions, electrical failures, loss of water pressure or other critical infrastructure failures, chemical and gas leaks, medical emergencies, natural disasters, or other threats to public safety and security.

Facility Security Committee means a group of representatives from Federal tenants in the facility responsible for addressing facility-specific security issues and approving the implementation of security measures and practices. The Facility Security Committee (FSC) consists of representatives of all Federal tenants in the facility, the Federal Protective Service or the Government agency or internal agency component responsible for physical security for the specific facility, and the owning or leasing department or agency with jurisdiction, custody, or control over the property. In the case of new construction or pending lease actions, the FSC will also include the project team and the planned tenant(s).

Federal facility means a federally owned or leased building, structure, or the land it resides on, in whole or in part, that is regularly occupied by Federal employees or Federal contractor workers for nonmilitary activities. The term “Federal facility” also means any building or structure acquired by a contractor through ownership or leasehold interest, in whole or in part, solely for the purpose of executing a nonmilitary Federal mission or function under the direction of an agency. The term “Federal facility” does not include public domain land, including improvements thereon; withdrawn lands; or buildings or facilities outside of the United States.

Federal Government means the United States Government, including any agency, instrumentality, or wholly owned or mixed-ownership corporation thereof.

Federal grounds mean all parts outside a Federal facility (e.g., lands, walkways, and roadways) that are owned, occupied, or secured by the Federal Government.

Federal property means any facility, grounds, or other property, to include vehicles, equipment, and any movable article, that is owned, occupied, or secured by the Federal Government and under the protection responsibility of the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Federal tenant means a Federal department or agency that occupies space and pays rent on space in any Federal facility under the protection responsibility of the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Gambling per se means a game of chance where the participant risks something of value for the chance to gain or win a prize.

Image recording means use of any camera, device, material, or equipment to capture an image, including any photograph, sketch, picture, drawing, map, or graphical representation.

Littering means discarding wastepaper, cans, bottles, or other refuse or rubbish on the ground or in any other area not designated for disposal.

Nuisance means a condition, activity, or situation, to include a loud noise or foul odor, that interferes with the use or enjoyment of Federal property.

Open container means a bottle, can, or any other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that is open, has a broken seal, or from which the contents are partially removed.

Personal property means any article or item, including but not limited to outer clothing, purses, backpacks, briefcases, suitcases, packages, and other containers within the possession, custody, or control of a person.

Personal transportation device means any method of conveyance, whether motorized or non-motorized, including but not limited to any personal transportation vehicle, skateboards, roller skates (including inline skates), roller shoes, roller skis, scooters, bicycles, non-medical use personal transporters, and similar devices or vehicles.

Protective Security Officer means a security guard employed by a private security contractor who provides contract security services to the Federal Protective Service (FPS) The contract security services provided by a Protective Security Officer include, but are not limited to, the performance of security screenings and inspections of persons, personal property, and vehicles entering Federal property; confronting individuals who have violated or are suspected of violating building rules and regulations; and reporting all such security-related information to FPS.

Public area means any part or section on Federal property that is ordinarily open to members of the public.

Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security or any person, officer, or entity within the Department to whom the Secretary's authority under 40 U.S.C. 1315 is delegated.

Secure area means any part or section on Federal property marked by signage where persons present themselves to enter the property and submit to the security inspection and screening process.

Security personnel means persons authorized to ensure compliance with this part, including FPS law enforcement officers, protective security officers (PSO), court security officers, or other security personnel charged by the Federal Government with security duties under this part such as other DHS component armed security guards performing similar duties as contract PSOs.

Service animal has the meaning given in 28 CFR 35.104. Generally, service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

Tobacco product means any item made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, including any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product (except for raw materials other than tobacco used in manufacturing a component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product). Tobacco product does not mean any item specifically excluded by the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.

Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

Unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system.

Vehicle means any method of conveyance, whether motorized or non-motorized, including but not limited to any motorcycle, automobile, truck, tractor, bus, motorhome, agricultural machinery, construction equipment, and other similar vehicle, even if autonomously operated.

Water area means any area where water is retained or collected such as a fountain, basin, pool, pond, septic or sewer, reservoir, or other manmade water feature maintained on Federal property.

authority: 6 U.S.C. 203(3) and 232(a); 40 U.S.C. 586(c) and 1315
source: 90 FR 24218, June 9, 2025, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 6 CFR 139.15