Commissioning a building CBRN protection system has traditionally meant that the system is purchased and then used as purchased for the planned lifetime of the system, because it has been very difficult and costly to reconfigure or expand the system with new capabilities. Commissioning a system with a different supplier for each of its capability makes the integration, testing and maintenance of the complete CBRN system very challenging.
X-System, Bertin Environics CBRN System Solution for Buildings & Shelters
Bertin Environic’s X-System offers a solution to this problem. The X-System consists of chemical, biological and radiation detectors all connected to the ChemProX-DS chemical detection system that communicates to the building management system. The X-System is highly scalable so the initial system can consist of a single ChemProX-DS chemical detection system or any number of ChemProX-DS systems coupled with ENVI BioScout biothreat detectors, RanidX radiation detectors and RanidPort or RanidPro200 identifying radiation detectors and fully integrated CBRN Cabinets providing chemical, biological, radiation and optionally radiation identification in a single unit. Bertin Environics has been delivering complete CBRN detection systems to shelters and buildings since 1990.
Example of Bertin Environics CBRN System Solution’s scalability examplified between a governmental building and a civil shelter.
Having a single supplier for the CBRN detection system and its sensors, and just a single interface to the building management system, reduces the amount of required planning and coordination significantly.
Multifunction Buildings / Shelters
Some of the more interesting buildings that have a secondary purpose of being crisis time shelters while their primary purpose is to serve a different function, are the multifunctional buildings.
Helsinki airport underground railway station/emergency shelter.
A prime example of a multifunctional building is the Helsinki airport underground railway station that is part of the local rail system, but can be quickly turned into a crisis time shelter that provides protection for a large group of people. These kinds of shelters must have the same functionality as the dedicated shelters. They are equipped with chemical, biological and radiation detection in the air intakes ensuring that the incoming air is safe and triggering the automation system to take action in case it is not.
Real-life Building CBRN Protection Scenario Example
Let’s make an example of what this means in a real-life building protection scenario. The initial investment in a CBRN system for a building would typically be the CBRN filtering system and CBRN detection system in addition to the other required basic capabilities for the building including building automation system. This building owner decides to start with ChemProX-DS chemical detection system for outside air so that in case of chemical alarm the building automation system can turn on the CBRN filtering system and lock down the building according to plan. Air quality sensors are part of the building HVAC-system. The ChemProX-DS is connected to the building automation system using either ethernet or serial communication and industry standard Modbus-protocol.
During the regular evacuation and lockdown exercises an issue is raised. How do we know that the CBRN-filters are working and not letting toxic gases pass through them? The obvious solution is to add a ChemProX-DS downstream of the CBRN-filter ensuring that there are no detectable amounts of toxic gases in the air. This ChemProX-DS is connected to the building automation system in the same fashion as the original one was connected. The system integration was performed during the initial integration so adding the new ChemProX-DS requires minimal amount of configuration work on the building management system side. Adding RanidX radiation sensor or ENVI BioScout biological detectors to the existing ChemProX-DS-systems is just a matter of cabling and connecting them to the ChemProX-DS. The existing datalink to the building management system supports these added devices automatically, so all that needs to be done is to set up correct Modbus tags for the new detectors on both ChemProX-DS and building management system and use thew values in controlling the emergency procedures of the building.
Monitoring & Maintenance
A simple CBRN detection system with just a few sensors can have its performance monitored from the building maintenance system display.
For more complex systems with several sensors and multiple location Bertin Environics offers the EnviScreen software. All CBRN system sensors send their data to the EnviScreen system that displays the status and detection values of each individual sensor including the potential third party sensors. Typical monitoring user interface shows the sensors are laid out on the building floor plan for each floor. This makes it easy to locate the sensors should they need attention. The EnviScreen software has maintenance log functionality that allows the maintenance crews to log all actions performed on the CBRN detection system to the maintenance log.
Bertin Environics X-System sensors provide all data required for monitoring the health of the devices to the building management system when it is the preferred solution for monitoring and maintaining information related to all building sensors.
Updating Documentation
One must not forget to maintain the system documentation when expanding the CBRN system. Preventative maintenance procedures must include the new sensors should they require regular maintenance or confidence checks. It is also very important to review the effect of the new CBRN system capabilities on the personnel training and emergency procedure manuals.
Conclusion
Bertin Environics provides a scalable and easily reconfigurable CBRN detection system for buildings and shelters. The Bertin Environics X-System can easily be enhanced with additional sensors when the CBRN threat scenario changes around or inside the building. Each one of the installed ChemProX-DS provides a connection point for biological and radiation sensors as well as air quality or weather sensors when they are not connected to the building automation system directly. Adding new devices is a small operation with the X-System requiring only minimal configuration changes to the ChemProX-DS or building management system making the operation and ownership of the system a pleasant experience.
FAQs CBRN System Scalability in Buildings & Shelters
How does the CBRN system integrate with existing building management and HVAC systems?
The Environics CBRN system connects easily to building automation and HVAC controls via industry standard protocol Modbus. Connection can be made through ethernet or serial communication line. It enables automatic actions—such as isolating air intake or activating filtration—immediately after a threat is detected, ensuring fast and coordinated response.
What affects the cost and scalability of a CBRN system?
Key factors include the number of sensors, type of agents detected, and system layout. The modular Environics design allows gradual expansion—adding new detectors or control units as needed—keeping both installation and upgrade costs efficient.
How often should CBRN detectors be tested or calibrated?
Detectors should be checked every 6–12 months, depending on use and environment. Environics systems feature remote diagnostics that alert operators when maintenance is needed, ensuring long-term accuracy with minimal manual checks.
What happens if a sensor gives a false alarm or fails?
The system uses redundancy and validation logic to verify alarms across multiple sensors before action is taken. Faults are automatically detected and reported, so maintenance can be done quickly without compromising protection.
Can the system adapt to new or emerging CBRN threats?
Yes. The modular architecture allows software updates and new sensor modules to be added as threats evolve, keeping the system up to date without major hardware changes.
As someone in the security field, I appreciate the practical insights on CBRN system scalability. It’s a crucial aspect often overlooked.
Hello Cabbage,
Thank you for your comment. Scalability in protection systems is often forgotten when developing your shelters and buildings for the changing requirements.