Site Map

• Overview: Reducing the Risk of Occupants’ Exposure to Biological Threats: Practical Steps for Building Owners
• • Types of Biological Threats: Intentional and naturally occurring biological agents
  • Inadequate Protection for Most Buildings: Problems in configuration and maintenance
  • Expert Recommendations for Building Owners: Practical measures, available technologies, an important caveat, 7 recommendations for immediate implementation, and potential collateral benefits
     
• HVAC System Basics
• • Ventilation: Natural and mechanical
  • Purpose, Design, and Function of HVAC System
  • MERV, Pressurization, Infiltration/Exfiltration (brief explanations)
     
• Building Vulnerabilities and Associated Risks to Occupants
• • Bioterrorism: Four building attack scenarios with interactive illustrations
  • Naturally Occurring Biological Threats: Sources and potential adverse health effects of exposure
  • Inadequate Building Protection and Vulnerabilities to Biological Threats: Insufficient air filtration, improper installation and/or maintenance of filtration systems, infiltration, and accessible air intake
  • Decontamination Costs 
     
• Reducing the Risk of Occupant Exposure to Biological Threats
• • Security Upgrades: Applicability and comparison of protective mechanisms
  • Expert Recommendations for Building Owners: Practical measures and available technologies to reduce risk, a caveat, and 7 recommendations for immediate implementation
     
• Benefits and Costs of Risk Reduction Measures
• • Benefits and Cost-Effectiveness: Direct benefits, collateral benefits, and determining cost-effectiveness
  • Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of Specific Measures: Commissioning, enhancing filtration efficiency, envelope tightening, and pressurization
  • NIST Case Study: Building Retrofits for Increased Protection against Airborne Chemical and Biological Releases
     
• Tools For Building Engineers, Designers, and Operators
   
• Frequently Asked Questions
   
• Additional Resources
   
• References
   
• About this Site