Reduce the effect of a CBRN incident

Although responsibility to act after a CBRN incident lies with the emergency services, FM, security and business continuity management teams can do a lot to lessen its effect.

Although responsibility to act after a CBRN incident lies with the emergency services, FM, security and business continuity management teams can do a lot to lessen its effect

Counter terrorism

Back in March, the government published its revised Counter-Terrorist Strategy (Contest II), which outlined the renewed threat of attack by terrorists with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) weapons. Although the responsibility for the initial response to an incident and decontamination lies with the emergency services, much can be done by FM, security and business continuity management (BCM) teams to reduce the effect of such an incident. There are a number of steps your organisation should be taking to ensure it has executed its duty of care to staff. These require co-operation between FM, security and BCM functions to ensure an integrated approach.

1 Risk assessment

First you need to ensure your BCM and crisis plans include a risk assessment of an accidental CBRN release or a deliberate terrorist act, covering:

• the threat of an incident occurring in your building or area

• the hazards and severity of an attack (covering potential agents)

• the impact of an incident

• the effects of protective measures.

For any preventative measures it is important to assess the level of protection proportionate to the risk, cost of implementation and benefits.

2 CBRN scenarios

Planning for a CBRN scenario should include both deliberate and accidental incidents, because the effects are the same. The nature of the hazard depends on the incident (whether C, B, R or N) and the location of the release. Some agents have rapid and obvious effects on people, while others may have long-term health effects or only cause symptoms following prolonged exposure. Your organisation’s vulnerability will depend on your building’s ability to resist particular hazards; contingency planning can have a big impact on its ability to mitigate specific incidents.

3 Staff involvement

All staff should be aware of the organisation’s crisis management and BCM plans for a CBRN incident and these should be exercised regularly. Familiarity with the nature of the hazard, risk and unique response should be developed across FM, security and BCM teams and disseminated to team heads.

4 Exterior release

A building’s exterior may provide an effective primary barrier against a range of contaminants. However, a pre-planned lockdown procedure to prevent interior contamination is essential and needs to include all external doors, windows and service areas, providing a means of controlling air infiltration at primary and secondary entrances. The design and operation of buildings and Hvac services can be used in response to a CBRN event in two ways:

• passive protection where the operation of the building systems provide protection

• active response where Hvac systems are operated to respond to either internal or external releases.

Hvac inlets at high levels give some protection, but may be subject to diluted contamination and if your building has low-level inlets or exhausts then you will need specialist advice.

5 Interior release

Reception areas and post rooms are most vulnerable to interior releases and planning should cover their post-attack isolation. Security measures covering access control should be included in the security plan to reduce vulnerability to interior releases. The building envelope should be protected ensuring Hvac inlets are resistant to the introduction of an agent. Building and Hvac systems can be used to limit the spread of contaminants and to clear a building. Emergency responders will seek advice from FMs regarding an Hvac system’s operability and its ability to help manage the incident.

6 Collaboration

It’s imperative that FMs and both building occupiers and owners should have a clear understanding of each others’ roles and responsibilities, as well as their relationships with the emergency services. This gives a clear appreciation of who does what and when and allows your CBRN BCM activity to run in parallel with the emergency services operation. You must brief emergency services when they arrive on the nature of the incident, the state of the occupants and the measures already taken.

7 Decontamination

The nature of the contaminant determines the decontamination process. You will need to:

• identify specialist contractors to carry out decontamination

• render surfaces in post rooms and other vulnerable areas resistant to contamination (or easy to decontaminate)

• protect important items and identify items for disposal and decontamination

• plan for continuity of utilities during and after an incident.

The cost for decontamination should be discussed with your insurers and if you are a tenant check the terms of your lease for decontamination planning.

Tony Deacon and Peter Simpson are senior CBRN consultants with risk management specialists CPA

Key actions

• Conduct a risk assessment, involving the security and BCM teams

• Understand the vulnerabilities

• Ensure staff are briefed and plans practised

• Understand what measures can be instigated to mitigate the impact of an internal or external release

• Understand the roles of the emergency services

• Collaborate with tenants and building owners to develop a seamless approach

to planning

• Understand who has responsibility for decontamination and what insurance cover is available

• Seek specialist advice

www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ukresilience/response/recovery_guidance/environmental_issues/pollution_decontamination.aspx