Countermeasures Against Chemical/Biological Attacks in the Built Environment

It is well known that buildings and facilities are susceptible to attack with chemical and biological agents. Builders, architects, security specialists, and technologists are engaged in discussions on what systems and practices are required to form countermeasures against such attacks. A facility in which sensors have detected a threat and active mechanical system control occurs to adapt to the threat is often called the "immune building." This article provides a framework for the assembly of concepts of operation, rules of engagement, and systems engineering necessary to adequately frame a cost-performance envelope for developing a countermeasures architecture.