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Posted On: 10/13/2004

Interactive software assesses building safety

Developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Building Vulnerability Assessment and Mitigation Program (BVAMP) is an interactive computer program that assesses a building’s vulnerability to chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) weapons attacks or accidental toxic releases.

BVAMP leads the building manager through several sets of questions about the building, focusing on four major topic areas: emergency response plan, building access, HVAC systems, and HVAC controls. It then produces a building vulnerability assessment report that details any areas where the manager could increase the protection of the building and prioritizes recommendations, both in terms of relative cost (high vs. low) and threat level.

"Protecting buildings against CBR agents is an unfamiliar area for many building managers," says Tracy Thatcher, a scientist in Berkeley Lab's Environmental Energy Technologies Division (EETD) and a principal investigator in this effort. Thatcher says the HVAC is often the first line of defense in the case of airborne CBR agents. "Preplanning and manipulating the HVAC system can significantly reduce the severity of a release."

CBR threats can include deliberate terrorist attacks resulting in the release of hazardous materials, or accidents such as freight-train derailments and refinery releases. Reducing the vulnerability of a facility requires actions in three areas: HVAC system control and operation, building system security, and emergency response planning. BVAMP has recommendations on both indoor and outdoor releases.

Berkeley Lab researchers participating in this project were Thatcher, Richard Sextro, Emily Wood and Eve Edelson. The BVAMP can be obtained by clicking here (http://securebuildings.lbl.gov/BVAMP.html).