DETECTION
Leſt : Internal release within a building. HVAC return air system recirculates the toxic air throughout the rest of the building in minutes.
Right: Central business district plume release scenario. CBRN Smart Sensor building automatically mitigates the spread of toxic air by detecting in seconds and halting airfl ow through predetermined automated HVAC control. Result: hundreds of lives saved; US Dept. Of Homeland Security SAFETY Act-designated technology also relieves building owner liability.
sensors based on proven technology networked together on a robust autonomous backbone was pioneered in San Francisco, Ca. Trustworthy chemical and radiological sensors could now be placed both in the fresh air intakes and in logical locations within the return air ducts. Reliable, continuous, real-time 24/7/365 next-generation detection and monitoring had come of age. Thought- leading commercial customers and critical government facilities began installing these robust systems and comfortably integrating the detection systems into their building control systems for an automated response.
Smart Sensors for intelligent buildings Buildings are becoming more ‘intelligent’ and so are CBRN sensors. The philosophy of an ‘intelligent building’ is one of simplicity and effi ciency. Traditional buildings have layers of disparate controls for disparate systems: fi re-life/ safety detection and alarms, digital video, lighting, HVAC and environmental control, security and access control, energy management, and intrusion detection. An intelligent building integrates all
these systems into one easy-to-use controls interface, off ering automated control across all platforms to maximize effi ciencies, while providing a unifi ed look into all systems – from anywhere, at any time. Honeywell, Siemens, Johnson Controls and others are driving governments and building owners alike to transition the buildings of today into the intelligent buildings of tomorrow providing energy savings, improved security and operational effi ciencies only dreamed of 10 years ago. New Smart Sensors from Building
Protection Systems, Inc play a critical role in the intelligent building approach by marrying these two intelligent systems. This has led to an inexpensive yet reliable smart sensor suite which
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continuously monitors the air for contaminants, detects in seconds, and automatically signals the Building Automation System to activate a predetermined mitigation protocol – while simultaneously relaying real-time toxin and location data within the Intelligent Building Controls/Security interface. The Smart Sensor, based on the same proven reliable technology introduced in 2008, has intelligent data processing onboard each sensor. Leveraging the ability of the intelli- gent controls platform and its access ports throughout the building, Smart Sensors can easily be placed throughout the facility to monitor the airstream and now simply plug-in to the existing BAS platform and feed real-time actionable data directly into the intelligent platform. This approach reduces equipment and installation costs by more than 60%. Smart Sensors require no calibration or maintenance for 4 years bringing lifecycle costs to all-time lows. Now, virtually any facility can aff ord to protect the air its occupants are exposed to – in real time.
What’s next for building protection? Chemical detection continues to be the bright spot for what is coming next. Nanotechnologies and certain metal oxide detection capabilities will improve
BPSI Smart CSA Chemical Sensor Array continuously monitors the air within a building, subway, or public gathering place for Toxic Chemicals that might be released through an industrial accident or targeted terrorist attack. Upon detection the system signals the resident building controls system in seconds to shut down fans and close dampers to halt the spread of toxic chemicals through the building via the HVAC system.
Mike Welden is Senior Vice-President of Homeland Security Solutions for Building Protection Systems, Inc (BPSI), San Francisco. He is engaged in building design and infrastructure retrofi t projects focusing on asset protection, business endurance and workable counterterrorism and life/safety solutions.
identifi cation capability, enhance reliability, reduce size and further reduce cost of ownership. Protecting the building asset from radiological exposure and the extraordinary clean-up from a radiological bomb remains paramount. Today’s fi xed radiation detection systems continue to improve and reduce in price. Biological detection, while currently a three-step process, is slowly on its way to becoming reliable and cost eff ective as well. Near-term and future buildings will
be smarter, safer and more energy effi cient. The new generation of reliable smart sensors eliminates the building owner’s concerns about false alarms and expensive lifecycle costs. With liability protections coming from the US Depart- ment of Homeland Securities SAFETY Act, insurance premiums, too, are being reduced – creating an attractive return on investment for the building owner. As this new level of true air quality becomes expected, building owners will soon be attracting new tenants at premium rents. Intelligent buildings, smarter owners, safer tenants… the time for active CBRN sensing in buildings is here. ❚❙
Images property of BPSI, used with permission
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