Role of Ventilation-air Conditioning Systems in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Terrorist Attack

Renata Peternel, Predrag Hercog, Ivan Toth

Abstract


ABSTRACT

 

The targets of terrorists are always areas where gathering or visiting a number of people. Such areas usually are equipped with air - ventilation systems that can become major inputs for contaminants, particularly chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents used in a terrorist attack. In order to prevent a terrorist act is necessary to implement certain security measures: preventing access to the suction opening, preventing access to the engine room and the roof of the building, the implementation of other measures of security - cameras, alarms, sensors and other detection and prevention of the spread of technical information. However, if you come to the entry of certain harmful agents into the building, properly designed, installed and maintained ventilation - air conditioning systems can significantly reduce the effects of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents released either inside or outside the building. Due to the different properties of chemical agents effective mechanisms of filtration in air conditioning ventilation system is very different. Biological agents are removed by filtration while to successfully prevent the entry of radioactive aerosols in the facilities necessary to use HEPA filters to the decontamination of the entire ventilation system. It can be concluded that the systems for filtration and air purification can protect the building and the people in it from the effects of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks, although it is impossible to completely eliminate risk.


Keywords*


Key words: air-ventilation systems, terrorist attack, chemical, biological radiological and nuclear agents.

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