BROOM Speeds Clean Up

Building Restoration Operations Optimization Model (BROOM) is a software-based tool developed by Sandia National Laboratories for managing the collection, visualization, and analysis of environmental sampling data for first responders. BROOM improves the efficiency of clean-up operations, minimizes facility downtime, and provides a transparent basis for reopening a decontaminated facility. The last factor is critical in gaining public and regulatory acceptance for declaring a facility to be “clean” and safe to reoccupy.

BROOM comes from Sandia’s three-year joint development project, in collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory which was sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and includes partnerships with San Francisco Bay area airports.

Features provided by Broom include integrated data collection and fast and efficient data management. The easy-to-use visualization software provides the ability to manage information needed to help assess contamination within a facility, most effectively and efficiently plan operations to remediate that contamination, complete the clean up, and restore the facility to operation.

The centerpiece of BROOM is a handheld device, which resembles a typical PDA. The handheld device uses sophisticated algorithms to generate contamination maps and layouts of the location where responders are collecting samples. It also develops statistically based sampling plans; a barcode scanner to track tagged samples and maintain chain-of-custody records; and electronic forms to capture information such as the sample type, surface type and texture, collection method, and other important data that are collectively managed by the BROOM software.

BROOM is used for accurate and efficient data tracking, management, optimization, and analysis of samples.

During time-sensitive events when sampling data are needed quickly, information can be
wirelessly transmitted to a PC or central command station outside a contaminated area. The results can be displayed on a map on both the handheld device and the PC, allowing decision makers to determine if an area is truly clean so that they can reopen facilities as quickly as possible.