Key issues related to building protection from chemical, biological and radiological attacks will be presented in a free satellite broadcast sponsored byASHRAE. Homeland Security for Buildings, which targets HVAC designers and facility owners and operators, will take place at noon (U.S. EST) April 14, 2004. It is hosted by the ASHRAE Presidential Ad Hoc Committee on Homeland Security and is funded through a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in New York.

"With the United States federal government recently declaring that a significant risk of terrorist attacks exists, the need for information to keep building occupants and buildings safe is more important than ever," Ron Vallort, P.E., who will chair the broadcast, said. "This information is vital to the people responsible for design, construction and operation of buildings as well as those responsible for assessing potential threats and preparing for the risks of attack on facilities."

The broadcast will be divided into two 60-minute segments. The first, aired from noon-1 p.m. (EST) will focus on homeland security issues that ASHRAE members and building professionals should learn about their buildings and HVACR systems followed by 15 minutes for questions and answers. The second, aired from 1:30-2:30 p.m., will focus on protecting buildings from chemical, biological, radiological and associated threats, again followed by 15 minutes for questions.

Presenters and topics will be:

  • A summary of ASHRAE's Risk Management Guidance for Health, Safety and Environmental Security Under Extraordinary Incidents, and building codes and standards. Lawrence Spielvogel, P.E., consulting engineer, King of Prussia, PA, and chair of the presidential ad hoc committee, will discuss ASHRAE's report and the results of a recent workshop, Assessing the Need for Building Codes and Standards to Enhance Homeland Security, organized by ASHRAE under its membership in The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP).
  • HVAC and Refrigeration Systems. William Coad, P.E., Coad Engineering Consulting, St. Louis, MO, will discuss security issues related to design and operation of HVACR systems in both existing and new buildings.
  • Ventilation and Pressurization. Andy Persily, Ph.D., National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, will discuss design and operation of HVAC systems to provide ventilation and pressurization necessary for protection of occupants.
  • Filtration and Air Cleaning. H.E. "Barney" Burroughs, Building Wellness Consultancy Inc., Alpharetta, GA, will address design, operation and maintenance of filtration systems and application in refuge areas.
  • Microclimate. Ralph Goldman, Ph.D., Comfort Technology, Framingham, MA, will discuss protective systems and equipment and their effectiveness.

      Those interested are encouraged to view the broadcast by visiting downlink sites, which are expected to be located worldwide. Participants at these sites will be able to ask questions of presenters using a call-in or fax-in number or by email. To register as a site host or to access the location of sites, visit www.ashrae.org/template/AboutLinkLanding/category/1561.

      More information about ASHRAE's work in homeland security, including free reports, can be found in the "homeland security" shortcut on ASHRAE.org.