ATLANTA - Guidance for reducing the threat of terrorism in buildings will be presented as a public service by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) during an upcoming satellite broadcast on homeland security issues.

ASHRAE has been awarded a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in New York to host the broadcast.

Topics will include risk assessment; chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) protection such as envelope tightness; ventilation systems; particle filtration and gas absorption; pressure relationships and building interior partitioning; and an update on building codes and standards as they relate to CBR protection.

"By using a satellite broadcast to reach our 162 chapters, other associations, and industry representatives, ASHRAE can bring vital information to thousands of design engineers, architects, builders, building owners and operators, code officials, medical personnel, first responders, and others to educate and inform them on protection of buildings," said Ron Vallort, P.E., who will chair the broadcast.

The ASHRAE broadcast will offer guidance on:

Reducing the threat of terrorism by introducing risk management methods for building protection;

Reducing the threat of bioterrorism by introducing new methods to use in buildings; and

Educating building owners on the costs vs. benefits of improved air filtration and the efficacy of currently available protective measures.

Details regarding the date and time of the broadcast, tentatively scheduled for spring 2004, will be announced soon. The program will feature a computer uplink where participants can e-mail questions and comments during the live question-and-answer session.

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

Publication date: 11/24/2003