Reviewed by: Michael Seale
UAH helps create new app for Department of Justice
Reading time: 2 minutes
Bomb technicians across the country now have a new safety tool, and it was built right here at UAH.
The UAH Research Institute worked with the FBI Hazardous Devices Tools and Technologies Unit to develop the Blast Zone Calculator (BZC) — a first-of-its-kind app to assist Public Safety Bomb Technicians (PSBTs) while they work.
PSBTs are highly specialized officers, agents or firefighters that are trained to detect and disarm bombs. As you’d imagine, this is extremely hazardous work and requires disciplined decision-making. Now, their job is made that much safer thanks to UAH’s work.
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What does UAH’s app, the Blast Zone Calculator, do?
The Blast Zone Calculator (BZC) is an app developed for Android that assists Public Safety Bomb Technicians (PSBTs) while they work.
The BZC can determine the expected blast zone, blast overpressure, fragmentation and decibel noise levels associated with an explosive event, and it’s already been approved to be used by PSBTs nationwide.
“Every suspicious device presents its own uncertainties, and no two situations are exactly alike. The Blast Zone Calculator gives bomb technicians a tool that provides immediate feedback to help assess potential hazards, communicate those risks and support sound operational decisions.”
Dr. Megan Gober, Principal Research Engineer
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