The National Institute for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Protection (the SUJCHBO or the institute) is an ISO-certified public research institution dealing with all essential aspects of (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) CBRN protection.
Its main activity is applied research and development, focused on detection and identification of CBRN threat, protection against its effects and mitigation of CBRN impact on persons, infrastructures and the environment.
Laboratory testing of equipment for the CBRN environment
The institute performs laboratory testing of equipment and persons for CBRN environment through large, complex systems. These tests can be carried out on military and civilian applications, as well as used for education and live agent training within the realm of CBRN protection.
The SUJCHBO is a holder of all relevant licences and permits, making it possible to handle otherwise prohibited chemical and biological agents or toxins and to test their impact on various appliances and systems.
Research and development for the needs of the state and / or EU is associated with, and in turn influences, the knowledge and practical experience of its staff.
The SUJCHBO possess the necessary knowhow, up-to-date equipment, and unique facilities to test CBRN solutions and training of persons in realistic conditions. Professionalism of the staff and suitability of the facility for working with the entire range of CBRN substances in one location constitute its distinctive strength.
The institute supports Czech and foreign companies, international organisations, and offers the services and / or facilities described below to the respective institutions, manufacturers, experts, consultants, and / or end users.
Aerosol-radon chambel, toxicologic, BSLE3, and BLS4 laboratories
The main specialised laboratories are aerosol-radon chamber, toxicological, BSL3 and BSL4 laboratories.
They enable the institute to evaluate:
- Calibration of determined measuring instruments, irradiation, experiments with and studies of radioactive aerosols
- Operational properties of personal protective equipment (PPE) using accredited (or requested, non-accredited) methodology. Testing is performed in different levels, starting with swatch (barrier) materials, through individual components, up to the system level, when the tested equipment is worn either by probands or a controlled model (mannequin) carrying out the simulated activity. Testing of the systems can also be performed in climatic chamber.
- Effectiveness, performance and limits of chemical detectors, sensors and small decontamination devices.
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Medical examination and monitory of person under extremem environments
An integral part of safety and security-related activities of the institute is medical examination and monitoring of persons under extreme conditions.
Testing under extraordinary physical, psychological and climatic loads is provided in an accredited laboratory, modelling the conditions in different climatic zones and / or in various working environments.
The laboratory can also be utilised to facilitate the design and development of protective equipment as well as for computerised evaluation of microclimatic conditions.
The parameters that can be pre-set in the climatic chamber include temperature from -35°C to +70°C, relativehumidity 0-100%, and wind speed 0-5.5 m/s. Radiating heat can be simulated additionally.
Large, complex systems testing for military and civilian applications
The most important experimental building is an airtight multi-purpose large-scale testing facility integrated into the existing research infrastructure of the institute.
Its volume of more than 4500m3 allows testing and validation experiments of versatile, defence and security-related bulky systems with complex geometry, testing of the effects of chemical agents, pathogens, toxins and radioactive material in airtight chambers under operational circumstances.
Technological capabilities of the facility and acquired experience with its application are described in details on the institute website. This building is extensively used for secure and safe live agent training as well.
Basic and refresher training courses protection against chemical weapons
The SUJCHBO can offer basic, specialised and refresher courses in comprehensive protection against chemical weapons, toxic industrial chemicals, risk biological agents, toxins and ionising radiation, as well as basic and advanced courses for emergency responders (rescuers) and other specialists with live agents, according to their needs.
The training can be organised as a modular one and it may contain all substances and specific fields or only some fragments. Any course, except the introductory, is practically oriented.
According to the requirements, exercises can focus on physical protection against CBRN substances, in conjunction with long-term stay of persons in individual PPE, their monitoring under extreme climatic conditions, or on detection, identification, as well as sampling and decontamination.
The course for rescuers culminates with emergency response. Training is conducted either with surrogates or live chemical warfare agents, biological pathogens (up to bio safety level 3) and radioactive substances, depending on the degree of the participants’ previous experience.
Practical training can be provided by the SUJCHBO instructors or, under their assistance and supervision, by instructors of relevant organisations.