The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers created a new presidential study group to ensure that America's buildings remain safe.

The Presidential Study Group on Health and Safety under Extraordinary Incidents will study attacks from high impact explosives, incendiary missiles, biological contamination and more.

The group, which will be the first to encompass all these aspects in one report, will address all aspects of heath and safety excluding structural integrity and security protection. Some of these aspects include materials, fire extinguishing, smoke removal, building envelopes and water supplies.

The group is expected to present a final report at ASHRAE's 2002 Winter Meeting in Atlantic City in January.