Impacts of Ventilation, Pressurization and Envelope Airtightness on Building Protection Against Airborne CBR Incidents

Published

September 1, 2004

Author(s)

Andrew K. Persily

Abstract

In receent years many individuals and organizations have advocated the use of several ventilation-based strategies to protect building occupants from accidental and intentional releases of airborne chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) agents. For example, the protection offered by outdoor air filtration and air cleaning in combination with building pressurization has been highlighted. However, these recommendations have not considered the key role played by envelope airtightness in determining the effectiveness of these strategies. This article discusses how ventilation impacts the vulnerability of buildings to airborne chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) attacks, as well as some of the strategies where ventilation might be employed to increase the level of building protection against such attacks. In particular, strategies involving pressurization of the building interior to protect against outdoor releases are discussed with specific attention to the impact of envelope airtightness on their effectiveness.

Citation

ASHRAE American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Journal

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

airtightness, building protection, filtration, ventilation

Citation

Persily, A. (2004), Impacts of Ventilation, Pressurization and Envelope Airtightness on Building Protection Against Airborne CBR Incidents, ASHRAE American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Journal (Accessed April 19, 2024)