SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building Protection Systems, Inc. (BPSI) today announced its breakthrough technology, Building Sentry One™, the only system of its kind that can protect building occupants from exposure to airborne toxins resulting from an accidental toxic spill or a targeted terrorist attack. Building Sentry One is the first detection system that has proven to have eliminated false positives. The system has been recently granted 20-year patent protection from the U.S. Patent Office and has also received full Qualified Anti-Terrorist Technology designation from the Department of Homeland Security.

A building's ventilation system is extremely vulnerable, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Toxic chemicals or radiation from a dirty bomb can be introduced easily through outside air intake vents. These intakes are often located outside at ground level or on the roof and are rarely secure. Once toxins are released, the building’s air distribution system will silently circulate the toxins throughout the building within minutes, injuring or killing occupants and rendering the building unusable.

Building Sentry One is able to quickly detect a contaminant and automatically shut down a facility's HVAC system. It then isolates the toxin, identifies it and transmits data about the hazard, including its location to first responders in real time. That way, emergency crews can be dispatched with information about the type of threats they are up against when facilitating a rescue.

"Thought-leading U.S. companies and agencies are now stepping up to meet the challenge of protecting their people, critical infrastructure, and assets from the extraordinary vulnerability of a building to an airborne toxic release," said Greg Eiler, president and CEO of BPSI. "We are honored that the Patent Office has recognized our Building Sentry One technology, which represents a big advancement in detection speed and reliability. The system not only saves lives, but benefits building owners by limiting their liability and providing a new standard for tenant acquisition and retention."

Last quarter, BPSI completed installation of this technology at a Fortune 100 company's headquarters to protect its building, workers, and visitors. BPSI is currently attracting the interest of several national companies and government agencies.

Safety Act Designation

Building Sentry One was deemed a "designated technology" according to the U.S. SAFETY (Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies) Act of 2002 in June 2008. The SAFETY Act is intended to provide critical incentives for the development and deployment of antiterrorism technologies by providing liability protections for sellers and buyers of qualified anti-terrorism technologies. For more details go to www.SAFETYAct.gov.

How it works, briefly

BPSI’s Building Sentry One is the first complete QATT (Qualified Anti-Terrorist Technology) system that incorporates proven sensor technology with proprietary firmware and software to detect and identify a toxic attack via the HVAC system within seconds. Immediately following, the Building Sentry One communicates with the existing Building Management System to shut down the building HVAC system to mitigate the spread throughout the building and isolate the dangerous toxins. Critically, in parallel with the shut down, the Building Sentry One informs BPSI’s Remote Monitoring Center with real-time release data. The Remote Monitoring Center responds to predetermined protocols including notification and continued real-time reporting to first responders expediting building rescue and recovery.

Pricing and availability

BPSI’s Building Sentry One is available now. The system interfaces with any resident building management system and modular engineered design provides for simple installation to any architecture. Pricing varies according to building size and HVAC system engineering.

About BPSI

BPSI is the world leader in reliable automated toxin protection systems for public gathering spaces, mass transit stations, and buildings. Founded by building systems experts with over 30 years of building infrastructure experience, BPSI's products are U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designated Qualified Anti-Terrorist Technologies (QATT) that quickly and reliably detect, identify and isolate toxic chemicals and radioactive isotopes in the air to protect building occupants and assets. More information can be found at www.bpsiglobal.com or 888-888-BPSI.