Man caused and natural disasters can cause economic and social damage. Some of this damage is associated to infrastructure and specially buildings and general constructions. Although there are building codes, standards and established practices there are always risks associated to disastrous events. The following links provide information regarding building security covering structural performance and failure under extreme conditions, how to assess the vulnerability of structures, how to adapt building structures and constructions for emergencies, and how to adapt previous measures to particular conditions.
Structural security
The American institute of architects provides a primer with general information on building security. This primer includes guidelines for conducting security assessments and provides security considerations to be implemented in constructions understanding different types of threats that could affect a structure.
Building Security by Design: A Primer for Architects, Design Professionals and their Clients (American Institute of Architects)external icon
This standards contains detailed building construction guidance. This document establishes design standards and criteria for new buildings, major and minor alterations, and work in historic structures for the Public Buildings Service (PBS) of the General Services Administration (GSA ). Contents include general requirements, urban development and landscape design, architecture and interior design, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, fire protection, and design standards for different types of facilities.
Facilities Standards for Public Buildings Service (GSA)external icon
The National Institute of Standards and Technology offers information on building materials; computer-integrated construction practices; fire science and fire safety engineering; and structural, mechanical, and environmental engineering. Some programs offer materials covering disaster-resilient buildings, infrastructure and communities. These programs are designed to cover multiple hazards through tools that could predict structural performance under extreme loading conditions, evaluate the capabilities to withstand extreme loads, and develop guidelines for the design of buildings and rehabilitation that could mitigate structural damage.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory (NIST)external icon
The U.S General Services Administration provides tips and guidance on ways to make Federal buildings more secure. This document offers information about Mail handling; chemical, biological, and bomb threats.
Making Federal Buildings Safe (GSA)
Indoor air security
This NIOSH publication provides recommendations to protect building air environments from a terrorist release of chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants. The guidelines offer preventive measures, recommendations, air-cleaning principles, and economic considerations for building owners and managers.
Guidance for Filtration and Air-Cleaning Systems to Protect Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks
This NIOSH publication identifies actions and recommendations as well as information on actions, measures and strategies building owners, managers, maintenance personal and general edifications can take to enhance protection from airborne chemical, biological or radiological attacks. Recommendations cover physical security; ventilation and filtration; and maintenance, administration, and training for building owners or managers to quickly implement to enhance occupant protection from an airborne chemical, biological, or radiological attack.
Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks (NIOSH)
This publication is a summary report a NIOSH investigation of public and private-sector buildings to determine the vulnerability of building air environments to chemical, biological and radiologic (CBR) agents. This report indicates the type of methods they used, their findings and provide prevention and control strategies to prevent the risk of exposure to CBR agents. Guidelines and the use of particular decontamination systems are also provided.
Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attack (CDC/NIOSH)