Building Vulnerability Assessments

Description

All too often the assessment of structural vulnerability is thought of only in terms of security upgrades, guards, and entrance barriers. However, in order to fully ensure that a building is secure, the process of design and construction must also be considered. Building Vulnerability Assessments: Industrial Hygiene and Engineering Concepts focuses on the range of vulnerabilities that can and should be addressed from design implementation through securing a building from intrusion from all types of threats.

Customized Recommendations for Individual Structures

The book begins with an outline for vulnerability assessments conducted either in-house or in coordination with a third party. The text is presented in a way that facilitates modifications for an organization’s particular needs. The authors present summaries of regulations that are used to determine if chemicals create a risk to off-site locations or constitute a homeland security vulnerability. They also discuss physical security and chemical, biological, and radioactive (CBR) threat potentials.

Highlights the Threat of Biological Contamination

The remainder of the book discusses control systems to reduce vulnerabilities, emphasizing ventilation system controls. Since a building or facility which is already contaminated is easier to contaminate further, the authors put a heavy focus on new, latent, and residual chemical and biological contamination within building infrastructures. The book concludes by presenting basic emergency planning recommendations and offering recommendations for assessment programs and emergency drills.

This volume, comprising the wisdom of scientists and engineers who have dealt in the past with building and site failures, assists future designers and operations and emergency planners in making decisions that may lessen the impact of emergencies and help to prevent them from occurring in the first place. By taking a multi-faceted approach to building security, those charged with protecting a structure’s vulnerability can help to ensure that crisis is averted.

Contents

Introduction to Vulnerability Assessments, M. Boss, D. Day, L. Fitzgerald, and G. Nicoll

Assessment: Threat Analysis, M. Boss, D. Day, L. Fitzgerald, R. Boss, and G. Nicoll

Regulations, Building Codes, Industry Standards: Compliance Documentation, M. Boss, D. Day, C. Allen, R. Araujo, and L. Fitzgerald

Site and Building Features, M. Boss, D. Day, C. Allen, and R. Boss

Chemical Threats, M. Boss, D. Day, and G. Nicoll

Biological Threats, M. Boss, D. Day, and C. Allen

Radiation and Nuclear Threats, G. Nicoll, M. Boss, and D. Day

Airborne Hazard: Protection Options, K.G. Christenson and D.C. Dittus

Pressure Differentials and Airborne Contaminant Controls, M. Boss, D. Day, and C. Allen

Filtration, M. Boss, D. Day, and C. Allen

VAC Control Systems, M. Boss, C. Allen, and D.C Dittus

VAC Systems Design Features, M. Boss, C. Allen, and D.C Dittus

Temperature Management Equipment, M. Boss, D. Day, C. Allen, and R. Boss

Piping Systems, M. Boss, D. Day, C. Allen, and R. Boss

Decontamination Methods, Biocides, and Personal Protective Equipment, M. Boss, D. Day, and J.A Cummins

Building Materials and Decontamination: Discussion of General Decontamination Terms and Method for Specific Building Materials, M. Boss, D. Day, and J.A Cummins

Decontamination of Ventilation Systems: Discussion of General Decontamination Terms and Methods for Ventilation Systems, M. Boss, D. Day, and J.A Cummins

Emergency Plans, M. Boss and R. Boss

Acronyms

Index

Related Subjects

1. Construction
2. Industrial Hygiene
3. Disaster Planning & Recovery
4. Construction Engineering
5. Industrial Hygiene
6. Critical Security