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14
Building and Fire Research Laboratory:
Division Reviews
MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH DIVISION
Technical Merit
Inorganic Materials and Polymeric Materials
The Inorganic Materials and Polymeric Materials Groups have a common goal: the development of
test methods and predictive tools for next-generation construction materials such as high-performance
concrete, coatings, and sealants. Each group works over size scales from the nanometer to the macro-
scopic level and seeks out, develops, and uses state-of-the-art analytical and measurement tools. Both
groups are well connected in industry and relatively well connected in academia. The Inorganic Materi-
als Group is sophisticated in its use of modeling, databases, and other computer-based tools. The
Polymeric Materials Group is highly proactive in developing laboratory automation and accelerated
durability testing. Both groups provide technical support for improving standards and selection criteria
for the evaluation, selection, and use of their respective materials and, additionally, support the needs of
various federal agencies in addressing the construction and infrastructure needs of the nation.
The strength of the materials groups is their work in establishing the fundamental bases of the
durability of building materials. Staff members have expertise in the broad range of disciplines com-
prised by materials science: chemistry, physics, engineering, environmental health and safety, and
economics. The umbrella project of the Inorganic Materials Group is its HYPERCON Program relating
to high-performance concrete, which recently completed the second year of a 3-year consortium aimed
at developing and validating the Virtual Cement and Concrete Testing Laboratory (VCCTL). The
NOTE: Chapter 7, Building and Fire Research Laboratory," which presents the laboratory-level review, includes a chart
showing the laboratory's organizational structure (Figure 7.1) and a table indicating its sources of funding (Table 7.1~.
235
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIST MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDS LABORATORIES: FY 2003
program continues to make strides in measuring, understanding, and predicting the performance of high-
performance concrete. The Polymeric Materials Group, which focuses on projects concerned primarily
with the durability of polymeric coatings and sealants in its Service Life Prediction Program, operates
largely through consortia: Coatings Service Life Prediction, Building Joint Service Life, and Polymer
Interphases. In addition, a study of the dispersion characteristics and photocatalytic behavior of particu-
late microscopic and nano-sized metal-oxide materials used as pigments in building materials, launched
in late 2001, may lead to a fourth consortium.
The main program and focus of the Inorganic Materials Group continue to be the prediction and
optimization of concrete performance. This program, HYPERCON, is aimed at measuring, understand-
ing, and ultimately predicting the performance of Portland cement-based concretes. All major material
aspects of concrete are represented in the consortium, including cement, aggregates, admixtures, and
ready-mixed concrete. VCCTL's earlier success was based on a strong foundation in computational
material science and theoretical work that established the computer models required to build the micro-
structure and hydrate Portland cement. Its most recent technical accomplishments include the following:
(1) a total reorganization and update of the computer programs and graphical front end used to perform
the computational material science, (2) an update of the pore solution constituents and their effects on
cement hydration, (3) an update of the database to accurately depict the real aggregate shape and size,
(4) updated inputs for cement particle-size distribution, (5) an experimental program that has led to a
more fundamental understanding of sulfate attack and resulted in the adaptation of VCCTL code for
simulating sulfate attack, and (6) a revised computational module for the prediction of elastic moduli of
cement paste at early ages, allowing for the input of additional concrete components such as fly ash,
slag, silica fume, and limestone.
Efforts to characterize and find easier ways to measure the plastic viscosity of fresh concrete also
continue. Significant effort was made this past year in the area of relating plastic concrete viscosity
measurements from different types of concrete rheometers, resulting in a new interpretation of data
generated previously and published in 2001. This development is a step toward creating a scientifically
sound and practical measurement technique of concrete workability.
Work also continues in the area of characterizing the microstructure of cement and concrete through
various techniques, including both scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy, X-ray diffrac-
tion analysis, and both wet and dry techniques to measure the particle-size distribution of cement.
Analysis and characterization techniques for cement and concrete are important and required as basic
input for modeling of the microstructure by VCCTL. They are also necessary as an empirical check to
see how well that microstructure was modeled by VCCTL. X-ray diffraction, especially as interpreted
by further work with the Rietveld analysis technique, provides a new and direct way to quantify the
precise mineral phase composition of cements and clinkers. Results of this work may lead to an X-ray
diffraction standard test method and ultimately to modifications in the current cement specifications.
The Service Life Prediction (SLP) Program remains the dominant thrust of the Polymeric Materials
Group. Most of the work continues to take place with the support of and under the guidance of consortia.
Approximately half of the experimental work of the group revolves around use of the Simulated
Photodegradation by High Energy Radiant Exposure (SPHERE) weathering device, which was devel-
oped in BFRL over the past few years and is now fully operational, following the design, assembly, and
attachment of reliable environmental chambers. The group seeks to show that the chemical and physical
mechanisms of degradation occurring in actual outdoor exposure are very much the same as those that
occur in the SPHERE. Establishing this similarity is a key aspect of an accelerated durability test.
Research results thus far from the High Radiant Flux Experiment appear to confirm the idea that the
law of reciprocity is obeyed for a model acrylic-melamine polymer over a wide range of radiant flux at
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BUILDING AND FIRE RESEARCH LABORATORY: DIVISION REVIEWS
237
ambient temperature and humidity. It is essential that future work explore the relations between outdoor
performance and laboratory test results, as is planned. The characterization of epoxy coatings has been
carried out with a wide range of tools, including gloss measurements to quantify changes in light
reflection, confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to determine surface morphology
and roughness, nanoindentation to assess modulus or hardness, UV spectroscopy to assess yellowing,
and various electromagnetic spectroscopies (FTIR, UV, and Attenuated Total Reflectance LATRj-FTIR)
to assess details of chemical changes. The Sealant Service Life Prediction Program currently is active in
three areas: (1) the design and construction of a device for transferring light from the 6-ft-diameter
SPHERE to small spheres in which mechanically loaded samples can be exposed; (2) the development
of an understanding of the nonlinear viscoelastic properties of sealants, which can be complex owing to
the Mullins, or strain-softening, effect; and (3) the establishment of the test regimen for nine different
sealant formulations. The panel commends the continuing effort in the Sealant SLP Program.
The completion of the first phase of the Light Scattering Materials Characterization Facility within
the Polymeric Materials Group greatly enhances the group's capability to characterize the bulk and
surface morphology of coatings and thin films as well as the microstructure and dispersion of particles
in complex fluids. While the first phase of the facility is directed at the study of solid samples, the
second phase, expected to be installed in 2003, is aimed at the characterization of liquids and highly
scattering solids. This facility is expected to be the focal point in integrating measurement efforts and
results of studies from microscopy (AFM, confocal, SEM), neutron scattering, and nanoindentation and
mechanical measurements. Because the facility applies a nondestructive technique, it will strengthen the
capability of the group in carrying out long-term weathering exposure on materials.
Past work in weathering and environmental exposure has focused on polymeric matrix degradation.
The project on Photoreactivity of Titanium Dioxide will study pigment photoreactivity and establish the
effect of pigment photoreactivity on polymer matrix degradation. The expertise of the Polymeric Mate-
rials Group in UV light sources, UV dosage measurements, and photochemistry is essential. The success
of this endeavor could have a broad impact in areas such as coatings, wastewater treatment, air purifica-
tion, countering of chemical and biological terrorism, solar cells, cancer treatments, and UV protection.
This work is ambitious and timely and, like much of the recent work in this group, well planned and
considered.
The objective of the project on Chemical Sensor Microscopy for Nanotechnology is to develop and
implement techniques for characterizing chemical properties of materials at nanoscale resolution. Re-
search results have demonstrated that chemically functionalized AFM tips can reveal the chemical
heterogeneity of materials surfaces at nanoscale spatial resolution and that elevated relative humidity in
the tip-sample environment enhances the chemical contrast between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic
regions. Materials examined thus far have included thermoses coatings, copolymer coatings, and self-
assembled monolayers. Future work will concentrate on the chemical functionalization and use of
carbon nanotubes for AFM and the application of these tools to the quantification of hydrophilic-
hydrophobic gradients in polymeric materials. Both of these efforts are highly worthwhile for the
advancement of coatings as well as adhesives. The ongoing collaboration with researchers in the Mate-
rials Science and Engineering Laboratory and the Physics Laboratory on this project is essential.
A multiyear study of the field analysis of lead in paints is nearing the completion of its investigation
of the method of ultrasonic extraction paired with anodic stripping voltammetry (UE/ASV). Following
three phases of work done with the guidance of academic collaborators in statistics, the encouraging
conclusion has been that UE/ASV is reliable for the field-based lead analysis of paint provided that paint
specimens are ground to an adequately small particle size.
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIST MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDS LABORATORIES: FY 2003
Structures and Construction Metrology Automation
The individual research programs in the Structures and the Construction Metrology and Automation
Groups continue to be of the highest technical quality and at the cutting edge in their respective fields.
Additionally, the work of the Structures Group and the project on fire-testing of a floor truss represent
examples of good research interaction between programs; such interaction would be beneficial on a
wider scale across projects and groups. Most of the programs in the two groups have been built around
the expertise of the research personnel; a broader research vision and agenda should also influence the
programs, as is the case for the effort directly related to the collapse of the WTC's Twin Towers. The
need for a detailed strategic plan for these groups remains.
Presentations on projects in the area of structural performance under extreme loads could be im-
proved by complementing the definition of problems and stated research objectives with clear descrip-
tions of the nature of the work in progress for example, describing the outputs for the Progressive
Collapse Investigation project, describing the results of testing and delineating how the urban environ-
ment is recognized in the database-assisted design for tall buildings in the Wind Research project, and
identifying the time line for each objective, as well as the project limits, for the Fire Safety Design
project (in which the structures and fire testing researchers are working very well together).
The panel had some concerns. The anticipated synergy following the merger of the former Building
Materials and Construction Divisions into the new Materials and Construction Research Division is still
an opportunity rather than an accomplished fact, and it remains to be seen how the synergy will be
reflected in and affected by the operation of the new division.
The division management needs to develop a clear overall strategy regarding the influx of funds and
the technical efforts related to the WTC investigation; the strategy needs to inform the division's long-
term vision. There needs to be a clear definition of the involvement of the materials side of the division
in the WTC investigation specifically and in the homeland security effort generally. The WTC investi-
gation plan has been fleshed out to address four specific objectives, comprising eight multiorganizational
projects. However, organizational and work-related plans need to be defined by a detailed structure
identifying work breakdown, milestones, and schedules, so that the project can be effectively managed
and so that its status can be clearly communicated. Such a large effort merits a dedicated and skilled
project management staff, as was pointed out in last year's assessment report.
A large portion of WTC funds is scheduled to be outsourced rather than used to acquire expertise
within NIST and to build a sustainable, long-range, structural risk assessment and mitigation program.
The panel is concerned that maximum value will not be derived from the WTC investigation and its
associated research and development projects in particular, the progressive collapse study. NIST's
technical efforts may be more profitably directed toward the Dissemination and Technical Assistance
Program, which should be multihazard-oriented from the outset. Additionally, a more strategic engage-
ment in general structural risk assessment and mitigation under the NHRP umbrella might represent a
valuable contribution by NIST to homeland security.
Program Relevance and Effectiveness
The HYPERCON Program of the Inorganic Materials Group continues to generate both interest in
and effectiveness for the construction community, as represented by materials suppliers to that industry.
The group recently developed VCCTL Version 3.0 for the VCCTL consortium members and placed the
older Version 2.0 on the Internet. Over the past year, VCCTL has been accessed on the Internet by about
9,000 users per month, from more than 80 countries. It is clearly seen as a valuable resource in the
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BUILDING AND FIRE RESEARCH LABORATORY: DIVISION REVIEWS
239
computational and experimental materials science of concrete and its constituents. The Inorganic Mate-
rials Group hosted the 14th ACBM (Center for Advanced Cement-Based Materials~lNIST Computer
Modeling Workshop in June 2003, featuring much of its work in cement hydration, cement and concrete
rheology, concrete microstructural characterization, concrete mechanical properties, and aggregate char-
acterization and modeling.
The VCCTL consortium members send a strong signal of their support by each providing $40,000
per year to the consortium effort. Over the past year, the number of participants has grown from one to
nine. The work under way is strongly aligned with the overall priorities and research focus recently
established by the Strategic Development Council of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the pri-
mary technical and educational society dedicated to improving the design, construction, maintenance,
and repair of concrete structures. A document published in December 2002 by the Strategic Develop-
ment Council of ACI, titled Roadmap 2030: The U.S. Concrete Industry Technology Roa^~ outlines
consensus goals established by the concrete industry's leaders to improve concrete's performance,
quality, and competitiveness. The main focus of the HYPERCON Progra~prediction and optimiza-
tion of concrete performance aligns nicely with the eight major goals of this document. In fact, the
HYPERCON Program has two constituent parts that specifically align with four of the Roadmap 2030
goals. These constituent parts are VCCTL and Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability
(BEES). Components of these programs will aid in reaching the goals of process improvements, product
performance, technology transfer, and industry image described in Roadmap 2030.
The Inorganic Materials Group' s efforts to improve and refine VCCTL through consortium partici-
pation appear to be succeeding very well. The consortium membership is composed largely of materials
suppliers to the industry, specifically, admixture suppliers, ordinary Portland cement producers, and
aggregate suppliers, as well as the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association. As the VCCTL consor-
tium completes the last of its 3 years, the panel is very interested in seeing the development of a plan to
take the tools of VCCTL not only to the 4,000 ready-mix concrete producers of the United States and
those of other nations, but also to construction companies and concrete contractors, building designers
including engineers and architects, and prospective owners of concrete-intensive structures. While
VCCTL has been designed to be used as one large modeling package, some individual components of
VCCTL may prove to be of greater use than others to certain entities and should be packaged in such a
way that their effective stand-alone use is possible. The plan that the panel recommends should addition-
ally provide a clear means for the application of VCCTL and its components to code and standard
development. The panel envisions that the Inorganic Materials Group could interact with the Construc-
tion Metrology and Automation Group of the division, BFRL's Office of Applied Economics, and the
BFRL Standards and Codes coordinator for the development of the plan that it recommends as well as
for its implementation.
Over the past year, a member of the Inorganic Materials Group received the 2002 ASTM Award of
Merit for his service to and participation in ASTM committee activities. He was presented with the C09
Award of Appreciation at the June 2002 ASTM meeting, in partial recognition of his role in the
development of a new standard for the use of the impact-echo method for measuring the thickness of
concrete members.
With its strong consortium support, the Polymeric Materials Group has both firm financial backing
and a rich supply of industrial input on what is of most relevance to manufacturers of coatings, sealants,
1See the ACT Web site at www.concretesoc.org/.
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIST MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDS LABORATORIES: FY 2003
and other polymeric building materials. A NIST workshop on photocatalytic effect will be held in FY
2003 and could lead to an additional consortium on the basis of industrial input already received.
The SLP Program generated a NIST Competence proposal for FY 2003 in the areas of chemical
nanoprobe microscopy, light scattering, and the photocatalytic effect of pigments. While the Polymeric
Materials Group enjoys a fair amount of interaction with other NIST laboratories, it is believed that its
Competence proposal could serve as a focal point for more BFRL-wide collaborative work and deserves
continued attention and encouragement when it is resubmitted.
Three members of the Polymeric Materials Group received the Department of Commerce Bronze
Medal this past year for designing, building, testing, and calibrating the SPHERE UV radiation device
around which so much of the group's work revolves and the effective use of which places the group at
~ _ ~
the leading edge of studies in material durability. Group members also received awards for papers
presented on the effects of UV exposure, on the mechanical properties and chemistry of vinyl ester
matrix resins, and on spectral photolytic effects on an acrylic urethane resin.
A U.S. patent was issued to three staff members for a humidity chamber for a scanning stylus atomic
force microscope with cantilever tracking. Another staff member is now an associate editor of the
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, while another has been elected president of the Rheology
Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers.
The dissemination of research results is properly accomplished by the Structures and the Construc-
tion Metrology and Automation Groups through relevant meetings, conferences, and workshops (many
organized by NIST). The quality and relevance of the research are well documented by numerous
awards and special recognition received by staff members in these groups for their scientific contribu-
tions.
Division Resources
The WTC investigation represents approximately a 30 percent increase in funding for the Structures
Group over the next 2 years. Since the staffing level is not projected to grow during this period, the effort
will presumably be accomplished by reassignment of staff and a corresponding reduction in their other
ongoing research activities. The panel hopes during the next visit to learn how the division will accom-
modate the WTC funding spike in the out-years and how it will take advantage of any opportunities
presented to expand NIST's expertise and relevance.
Current plans indicate that a large portion of WTC funds will be outsourced. However, no analysis
was presented to demonstrate that this option will support building a sustainable, long-range structural
risk assessment and mitigation program. The Dissemination and Technical Assistance Program, which
should emphasize a multihazard orientation, may hold more long-term promise for the division than will
the R&D projects associated with the WTC investigation (in particular, the progressive collapse study).
Appropriate opportunities to expand the industry base and the associated extramural funding for the
Structures and the Construction Metrology and Automation Groups should be pursued when they arise.
The resources seem to be commensurate with the research programs and activities of the division; a
strategic plan extending 5 years into the future would clarify whether there are plans (not currently
apparent) to extend its roles and mission.
Research facilities for the Structures and the Construction Metrology and Automation Groups are of
good quality and are adequate for the ongoing research programs. The focus on homeland security is
limited to the WTC investigation and a planned research effort on the progressive collapse of buildings.
The Materials and Construction Research Division has not indicated a clear focus on a longer-term or
larger leading role in support of homeland security. As mentioned above, a more strategic engagement
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BUILDING AND FIRE RESEARCH LABORATORY: DIVISION REVIEWS
24
in general structural risk assessment and mitigation under the NHRP umbrella would be a valuable
contribution by NIST to homeland security. Efforts in this direction were not communicated to the
panel.
No information is currently available on the equipment needs of the Inorganic Materials Groun.
which has added computing capability in the past year. Enumerated equipment needs of the Polymeric
Materials Group include a Nanoscope 4 tapping mode attachment for the group's AFM, a contact angle
measurement system, and an ultralow-temperature chamber for electron spin resonance.
The National Construction Safety Team Act of 2002 places significant statutory responsibilities on
NIST. The panel hopes during next year's visit to learn how NIST is responding organizationally and
whether relevant in-house capabilities are adequate.
BUILDING ENVIRONMENT DIVISION
The goal of the Building Environment Division is to optimize total (life-cycle) building perfor-
mance through innovative design, integration, commissioning, operation, and maintenance for im-
proved reliability, security, safety, and occupant health, while minimizing adverse environmental im-
pacts. The division's research, development, and demonstration work is carried out in two program
areas: (1) that of healthy and sustainable buildings, which involves the division's Indoor Air Quality and
Ventilation, Thermal Machinery, and Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems Groups; and (2)
that of cybernetic building systems, which involves the division's Mechanical Systems and Controls and
Computer-Integrated Building Processes Groups. Activities of each group are discussed in the subsec-
tions below.
Technical Merit
Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation
The research projects of the Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Group represent an important
component of the effort in healthy and sustainable buildings. The program has emerged from the long-
standing research at NIST on building loads and the indoor environment. The current projects are a
natural outgrowth of the need to understand the role that airflow in buildings has on energy use and on
occupant health and comfort. The projects continue to evolve to meet changing national priorities. A
strength of the group is that the projects provide well-integrated coverage of a broad spectrum of
phenomena and applications. The group is recognized nationally for its expertise and is working with
other government agencies on problems of national interest.
This group has conducted significant basic research on air and contaminant flow in conventional
and hybrid ventilation systems and has disseminated this information to the technical community.
Members of the group have been leaders in the development of standards and design tools for ventilation
and indoor air quality (IAQ). They are applying their skills to the evaluation of the effects that control
strategies have on energy use and IAQ in both residential and commercial buildings. In support of
homeland security, new efforts that build on their established expertise are being undertaken toward
reducing the chemical, biological, and radiological vulnerability of buildings.
A key area is that of airflow and pollutant-flow model development. The group has developed a
number of analytical methods that are widely used in the research, development, and design communi-
ties. The CONTAMW software is the basis for much of this activity. This program contains a model for
the flows of air and contaminants through multizone buildings. Over time, the group has established the
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIST MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDS LABORATORIES: FY 2003
validity of the approach through a comprehensive experimental program, and the current activities are to
provide further enhancements to the basic model. These enhancements include extensions to cover
moisture and IAQ levels in residential buildings with mechanical ventilation; natural and hybrid venti-
lation systems in commercial buildings, such as those found in Europe; and a validated CONTAMW
model for manufactured housing. Research is being conducted into infiltration and ventilation airflows
in commercial buildings using combined thermal and airflow analysis. Work is being done on adding
new filter and air cleaner models to CONTAMW.
The analytical developments are complemented by experiments. A commercially available manu-
factured house has been purchased and instrumented to determine contaminant and ventilation levels.
Field measurements of volatile organic compound (VOC) rates in an Oberlin College building have
been completed and will be used in model development. The new IAQ test facility will be used to
experimentally study multiple mechanical ventilation options as well as natural ventilation and infiltra-
tion. These experiments provide valuable data for code development and verification.
The basic research of the Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Group includes database developments
that will allow access to IAQ modeling data for export to CONTAMW and that will link EPA VOC and
National Research Council of Canada emissions databases. New databases are being developed for the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on non-VOC source strengths, filter efficien-
cies, and occupancy schedules. Finally, in response to the immune building program, the group is
extending models on air cleaning, filtration, and chemical transport and reaction; building controls; and
models for non-well-mixed zones and plumes. The goal is to develop analysis tools and guidance for
assessing the vulnerability of buildings to chemical, biological, or radiological (CBR) attacks.
Another major effort is in the development of ventilation and IAQ design tools. To this end,
CONTAMW Version 2.0 has been released; it has simple controls, variable indoor temperatures, and
nontrace contaminants, and is faster than its predecessor. A goal of the group is to provide tools that
facilitate design on the basis of performance methods rather than of prescriptive rules. A design tool that
can control contaminants to set points is being developed.
Air-cleaning devices are being used increasingly in buildings, and there is an effort in air-cleaner
performance modeling and database development. This work includes efficiency measurements in a
single-zone test house; there are plans to extend the tests to multizone buildings. Cooperative work is
ongoing with Puracil, a gaseous air-cleaner manufacturer. Models are being evaluated for their ability to
predict the impact on IAQ of filtration and air cleaning. A suite of models will be developed to allow
prediction of air-cleaner performance. Finally, an immune building toolkit that is based on CONTAMW
is being developed to enable the analysis of various protective measures in event of CBR incidents.
These design tool activities of the group encompass a broad range of applications. The tools are
"7 "7 1 1 "7 1 1
under continual development and verification, which enhances their credibility. This is a strong effort in
which the group is a national leader.
The increased emphasis on a healthy indoor environment has led to new control strategies based on
IAQ rather than on thermal measures. A major activity of the group is that of evaluating the impact of
these strategies on energy use. Among the strategies studied for residential buildings are demand-
controlled ventilation, the evaluation of mechanical ventilation, and the evaluation of different systems
and components, such as forced-air return, whole-house fan, and heat recovery. The impact of vented
and nonvented combustion appliances, the VOCs emitted from building materials, and mold is being
determined. Strategies for commercial building ventilation, including demand-controlled ventilation,
natural and hybrid ventilation, displacement ventilation, and advanced systems that are thermally
decoupled from the space conditioning system, are under study. The research into the energy impacts in
commercial buildings is using a combined thermal and airflow analysis.
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Thermal Machinery
243
The Thermal Machinery Group has projects in three areas: (1) MEMS for improved vapor compres-
sion systems, (2) two-phase heat transfer with refrigerantAubricant systems, and (3) simulation tools for
evaluating and optimizing the performance of vapor compression systems. On the basis of market and
technology trends and continuing worldwide governmental emphasis on climate change, the panel
agrees with the group's vision of smarter, more reliable, and more efficient air conditioning equipment.
The project on MEMS for improved vapor compression systems (refrigerant expansion valve and
compressor vibration meter) would be the first applications of MEMS in the heating, ventilation, air
conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry, following the lead of successful applications in the
automotive industry. MEMS prototypes are essentially handmade, so patience and time are necessary to
develop a workable MEMS. However, MEMS devices can be mass-produced (like computer chips)
when their design has been finalized. Both MEMS applications support the industry need for more
efficient and reliable vapor compression systems and are consistent with needs identified by the Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute's (ARTI's) Strategic Planning Initiative in 2001
(see the ARTI Web Site at www.arti-21cr.org/21crstra).
The Thermal Machinery Group's project on two-phase heat transfer with refrigerant/lubricant sys-
tems is focused on using fluorescence techniques to measure lubricant concentration at the boiling
surface for R134aAubricant systems in pool and flow boiling. The fluorescence technique is superior to
the current state of the art and will provide the first quantitative measure linking refrigerant boiling
performance to lubricant physical properties. With this information, work can begin on a model to
predict the effects of lubricant viscosity, miscibility, and mass fraction on the R134aAubricant system.
The Department of Energy is a cosponsor of this project, as system energy efficiency can be optimized
with such a computer model.
The group has three tasks under the project on simulation tools for evaluating and optimizing the
performance of vapor compression systems: (1) heat exchangers and heat pump simulation models, (2)
genetic algorithms for optimized heat exchanger design, and (3) NIST Standard Reference Data (SRD)
simulation programs. Accomplishments during 2002 include the completion of a project cosponsored by
ARTI and DOE, which involved laboratory testing and modeling of refrigerant blends operating near
and above the refrigerant critical point. As part of the project, a simulation package was completed for
the design of evaporators and condensers. This model is now on BFRL' s Web site for free downloading.
There were 115 model downloads during the first 2 weeks (February 7-21, 2003) of the model's
availability. Two successful SRD simulation programs, CYCLE_D (vapor compression cycle perfor-
mance) and REFLEAK (composition changes during leakage of refrigerant mixtures), were developed
earlier by the group and were upgraded in 2002 with a new release of the refrigerant physical properties
database REFPROP7. Information on refrigerant system line sizing was also added to CYCLE_D, on
the basis of industry recommendations. Simulation tools were on the list of priority projects identified
by the ARTI Strategic Planning Initiative in 2001 for the U.S. HVAC/R industry, and these programs
are consistent with the ARTI priorities. DOE and SRD funding will continue for simulation tools
research in 2003.
Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems
The goal of the projects undertaken by the Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems Group is
to provide standards, rating methods, and basic measurements that support the needs of the building
community. The group's specific areas of research are thermal properties, photovoltaic power, fuel
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIST MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDS LABORATORIES: FY 2003
cells, and moisture in materials. The first two areas are well established; the latter two are in their initial
stages.
The thermal property work is a continuation of 90 years of NIST research into thermal property
measurements, culminating in a database of thermal conductivity measurements. Part of this project's
work is to maintain and continuously improve the database. Recently, the more than 2,000 NIST
conductivity measurements taken in previous years have been added to the database. The construction of
a thermal conductivity device that would allow measurements to be taken over a 90- to 900-K tempera-
ture range is under way. New and innovative insulation systems could then be evaluated. The Thermal
Conductivity Measurement project is very solid and is an international resource for thermal conductivity
values.
The group's first alternative energy project has the goal of developing measurement techniques,
methods of test, rating methodologies, and simulation methods for photovoltaic systems. A test facility
has been constructed for measuring the output of photovoltaic panels from different suppliers. The data
reduction methodology allows the basic parameters that characterize the cells to be determined. The first
set of tests was on four panels from different cell technologies. A second set of panels has been installed,
and measurements are being made. Combined with simulation methods, these parameters allow the
panel's annual performance to be estimated. Another important output of this research will be the
evaluation of predictive models for performance. This is a solid program, providing important baseline
data on photovoltaic systems.
The group's second alternative energy project has the goal of developing measurement techniques,
rating methodologies, and simulation methods for stationary fuel cells. A test facility is being con-
structed to allow the testing and evaluation of fuel cells. A residential-sized fuel cell has been obtained
and installed. Calibration tests are being planned. Using this facility, the group has the ability to develop
test methodologies that can be used to characterize fuel cells so that estimates of annual performance can
be made. The proposed testing methodology describes in detail the tests that will be performed and how
the basic characteristics will be determined. It appears that this plan is solid and that it will yield results
that will become increasingly important as the fuel cell industry develops.
A project on the detection of moisture using ultrawideband radar is under way. The goal is to
develop noninvasive techniques for determining the moisture content of materials within the building
envelope. Such basic data could be used to validate existing models and provide insight into such
problems as mold formation. The work to date is preliminary, and there was little reference to other
literature that established the possibilities of the method. It will be important to carefully characterize
the capabilities of wideband radar to accurately measure moisture levels and to concentrate on the
calibration and sensitivity of the method. The investigators are working with a private firm, and it will
be important to build a solid foundation with basic studies before applications to wall assemblies are
attempted. The approach has the potential to aid the building industry, but it will need considerable
development.
Mechanical Systems and Controls
The programs of the Mechanical Systems and Controls Group provide a window on a NIST organi-
zation recognizing industry needs, establishing research projects, working with industry over the years
for continuing program relevance, and achieving significant accomplishments. These programs involve
buildings communication protocol standards, automated commissioning, fault detection and diagnostics
methods, critical infrastructure protection for building computer systems, and a virtual cybernetic build-
ing testbed for evaluating the effectiveness of the integrated systems. The starting point for these
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245
programs can be traced to the early 1980s, with control algorithms developed for building-energy
conservation, dynamic simulation programs, and work with the American Society of Heating, Refriger-
ating and Air-Conditioninp Engineers (ASHRAE) on a buildings communication protocol.
The group has led the buildings industry in the development of the Building Automation and
Control Network (BACnet~) protocol, which enables the use of and communication between different
types of control systems in commercial buildings. The overall objective is practical use of integrated
HVAC, lighting, security, energy management, life safety, vertical transport, and emergency response
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systems. 'l'he group Is providing technical support for BA(:net demonstration projects with the Architect
of the Capitol, the State of Iowa (five sites in the Iowa Army National Guard), and the U.S. General
Services Administration (GSA). The GSA project is a multibuilding network in 11 federal buildings in
the western United States.
The BACnet standard is in various stages of international evaluation and use (in Europe, China,
Japan, Korea, Russia), again with group personnel technical support and promotional activities. And, as
a highly significant advance, BACnet was recently approved as an international standard (ISO/TC 205),
about a year sooner than expected under normal ISO approval procedures. The fast-track anoroval was
a result of a unanimous vote on the submitted standard.
A second important, building-related project of this group involves automated commissioning and
fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) of HVAC equipment. Buildings often fail to satisfy performance
expectations even at start-up, and failures can go undetected for long periods of time. Building control
system complexities may exceed the operators' and users' levels of understanding, leading to inappro-
priate overrides of the control systems. Automated commissioning and FDD tools are needed to (1)
ensure that newly constructed buildings work properly, (2) detect faults as they occur, (3) determine
components that are failing or have failed, and (4) recommend maintenance or repair procedures.
Examples of possible faults would be stuck or leaking dampers or valves, sensor faults, design faults
such as undersized coils. and control logic errors. The croup is developing FDD tools and testing the
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tools using data from test sites of the Iowa synergy (:enter, (:ornell University, and (~5A. 'l'he t'un tools
are being incorporated in control products by Alerton Controls, Automated Logic, and Delta Controls.
NIST personnel are providing leadership of U.S. activities related to the new IEA Annex on building
commissioning, with particular emphasis on automated commissioning tools.
The project on Critical Infrastructure Protection has the objective of increasing the security of
computer systems used for the integrated automation and control of commercial building systems
(HVAC, fire detection, life safety, vertical transport, and lighting). The work of the project includes
developing secure ways to interconnect multiple buildings, exchange information between building
systems and utility providers, and provide information to fire-fighting and law enforcement personnel
responding to emergency situations in buildings. The initial phase of this project is to conduct assess-
ments of threats that could prevent or inhibit the operation of critical building systems, including
estimates of the probability of occurrence and the potential harm. An important part of the project is the
integration of biometric access control systems with the building automation system. Biometric technol-
ogy could include face, fingerprint, iris, or voice recognition; retina scan; or keystroke dynamics. To get
this project off to a fast start, security research contracts have been let to Pennsylvania State and Drexel
Universities. This project represents a positive response of BRFL to homeland security program needs.
The projects of the Mechanical Systems and Controls Group are all related, including the Virtual
Cybernetic Building Testbed (VCBT), which is a real-time building emulator. The VCBT is a core
component that ties together several major research areas in BFRL, including the expansion of BACnet
capabilities, the development of FDD tools, the investigation of design and security issues, and the
development of a sensor-driven fire model. The VCBT also serves as a vehicle for building cooperation
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIST MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDS LABORATORIES: FY 2003
with control companies and for speeding the transfer of NIST-developed technology to the marketplace.
The VCBT capabilities are being expanded for testing in the areas of emergency response and other
adverse situations.
Computer-Integrated Building Processes
The Computer-Integrated Building Processes Group has taken on a new name (formerly Computer
integrated Construction) to better reflect the broader context within which its numerous projects fit. This
new name removes the implication of the group's being interested solely in the construction phase of
buildings and emphasizes a focus on addressing process-related issues rather than only the final product
of building processes. The name change is appropriate, given the variety of issues that the group's
projects have addressed, not just in the past year but over the history of the group.
The 2003 research projects under way within the group focus on the development of standard
building information models for the architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management
(AECIFM) industry and include work on product data standards for HVAC/R systems and information
exchange with first-responders, product data standards for steel construction, and interoperability stan-
dards for capital facilities.
Members of the group continue to be active participants both in established organizations and in
new groups working on standard building information models for the fragmented AECIFM industry. As
mentioned in last year's report, the group has the appropriate objectivity, the requisite historical knowl-
edge, and the organizational connections to help monitor and promote the variety of activities taking
place in this area and to help avoid gross divergences within the evolving standards.
The complex theme that is common across the projects of the Computer-Integrated Building Pro-
cesses Group is the development, demonstration, and deployment of standard information models that
are capable of supporting the decision-making needs of numerous participants in the building process
across the life cycle of a facility. This has been a priority theme within the group for many years, and the
group continues to successfully develop its variety of projects around this theme. The project on
information exchange with first-responders is a positive example of how the new focus on homeland
security is being integrated into existing programs. Rather than distracting resources from their long-
term objectives, this project effectively broadens the customer base for the services and products that the
group has already been working on.
Program Relevance and Effectiveness
The programs undertaken by the Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Group have long supported the
private building sector and more recently the security needs of the nation. There are a number of
research projects on commercial building ventilation in cooperation with CEC (the California Energy
Commission), ARTI, DOE, and EPA. A CONTAMW-like graphical interface for zone fire models is
under development. Group members have been heavily involved with the professional and technical
societies that deal with air quality and ventilation. They are represented on appropriate committees of
ARTI, ASHRAE, and ASTM, among others. The group leader is the chair of the ASHRAE standard
committee on ventilation and air quality (SSPC 62.1) and a member of the ASHRAE presidential study
group addressing building safety in extraordinary incidents. Group members are supporting State De-
partment field monitoring and modeling efforts. Their involvement with these agencies and professional
societies ensures that the research efforts are focused on the important technical problems of the field.
The group has recently undertaken activities in support of homeland security and is involved with
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247
working groups of the Department of Homeland Security. The work on developing an immune building
toolkit addresses the problems of building safety in extraordinary incidents.
The programs of the Thermal Machinery Group were established on the basis of their vision of
future air-conditioning systems, determined from close interaction with industrial, governmental, and
academic communities. Examples of this interaction are input from the ARTI Strategic Planning Initia-
tive, DOE financial support, and a workshop held in June 2002 on the refrigerantAubricant project. The
participants in these interactions were very supportive of the research, seeing BFRL as a laboratory with
unique capabilities for this fundamental research. The continuing development and support of the SRD
programs (CYCLE_D and REFLEAK) are an important service to the worldwide industry, as these
programs are cited in many publications. The design model (EVAP-COND) for the heat exchanger
represents a new industry tool to assist in system optimization and higher energy efficiency. The group's
advances are well documented in industry conference presentations and publications. One paper was
given the Award of Excellence for a Technical Paper presented at the 53rd Annual International Appli-
ance Technical Conference in March 2002.
The thermal conductivity measurement work of the Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems
Group is recognized internationally as a source of basic measurements. The database posted on the
NIST Web site received more than over 800 hits this past year, which is a measure of its relevance. The
group coordinated an interlaboratory round-robin evaluation of thermal conductivity measurements
from five different international laboratories during the past year. This work is leading to internationally
recognized values for thermal conductivity and to the techniques needed to obtain accurate values. The
extension of measurements to a broader temperature range is a valuable enhancement that meets the
needs of industry.
Photovoltaic electric power has the potential to make a significant contribution to the U.S. energy
situation, and the Photovoltaic program would play an important role in achieving this potential. The
research undertaken by the group to establish the basic characteristics of this technology would help
ensure that installed building systems would perform as desired. The group has published its work
extensively and received an ASME Best Paper award for its work on building integrated photovoltaic
panels.
The Mechanical Systems and Controls Group has been recognized as an industry leader in its work
on BACnet, fault detection and diagnostic tools, and the Virtual Cybernetic Building Testbed. The
awarding of funding for the new research on biometric access control systems is an additional indication
that the group is recognized as an important contributor to the technology of building communications
systems. The group has worked closely with the building industry through workshops at NIST, through
industry associations such as ASHRAE, through the BACnet users group, with demonstration projects
in commercial buildings, and in many publications and presentations. The ASHRAE Journal featured a
special 46-page supplement on BACnet in October 2002, with the NIST group leader being prominent
as commentary author and coauthor of the lead article, "BACnet'~' Today." The panel recommends that
the group continue with its current approach of extensive involvement with industry groups, companies,
and governmental organizations, and that it continue taking advantage of opportunities to present its
research findings.
The overall objectives of the Computer-Integrated Building Processes Group are to work with the
building industry to establish a sound technical basis for seamlessly sharing information and integrating
processes throughout the life of a facility; to transfer the technology to industry through the develop-
ment of consensus, open standards; to implement and test exemplar software applications incorporating
these standards; to demonstrate the integration/interoperability of these and other applications in pilot
projects; and to provide validated test-case data sets and test metrics that evaluate the effectiveness of
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIST MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDS LABORATORIES: FY 2003
the technology. This is an appropriate set of objectives, all of which must be met, in order for the group's
work to achieve the desired influence on the building industry.
These objectives are all achievable to some degree across the projects that are currently under way
within the group. The FY 2002 assessment report noted that it was important for the group to move
beyond the goal of formal approval of building model standards to one of promoting the adoption of
these standards within the marketplace. This change of focus is evident in the project on Data Standards
for Steel Construction, in which the group is working with vendors of steel CAD software to help their
CIMsteel Integration Standards (CIS/2) implementation efforts and with end-user companies to employ
this technology in practice. A move to the implementation and testing of software applications is also
evident in the group's work on making CONTAMW Industry Foundation Classes-compliant and in
creating a building model of the NIST Administration Building for use in testing.
The accomplishments of the Computer-Intearated Building Processes Group over the past year
continue to demonstrate progress toward reaching its objectives. Successful completion of the STEP
AP227 and Materials Property Data Markup Language (MatML) standards are examples of technology
transfer through open standards. The creation of a test model of the NIST Administration Building is a
step toward technology demonstration. The group's publication of three conference and journal papers
also helps promote technology transfer.
The panel is pleased to see the move toward formally recognizing the broader scope of supporting
the exchange of building information across the complete life cycle of a facility. This move is reflected
not only in the name change of the Computer-Integrated Building Processes Group but also in the stated
objectives and approaches of 2003 project descriptions. Although primarily symbolic, the group's name
change indicates recognition of this broader scope at division, laboratory, and institutional levels, as was
recommended in the FY 2002 panel report. This change is tangible evidence of a response to the
concern, raised during last year's review meetings, that the staff of the group might be reorganized in a
manner that resulted in the loss of attention to the theme of improving building performance through
life-cycle information management. The panel is also pleased to see the expanded outreach of group
projects and staff to a broader spectrum of industry activities beyond those focused on facility construc-
tion, to include design, commissioning, and operations phases of the facility life cycle.
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Division Resources
The resources for the Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Group are appropriate for conducting a
broad and well-integrated research effort. This support allows an appropriate balance between the
experimental investigations and computer studies. If the group's participation in the homeland security
program grows and new research directions emerge, additional resources will be required. The program
is a strong national resource, and curtailments in the current activities would compromise its effective-
ness.
The Thermal Machinery Group sustained STRS funding cuts during early 2002 owing to the need to
redirect budget dollars to other activities. This funding was restored, and the group is working at a more
favorable ratio of STRS-to-OA funding (60 percent STRS/40 percent OA). The panel commends the
group for completing renovations of five environmental chambers, involving new chillers, new control
systems, and removal of methylene chloride coolant. The large "truck" chamber renovation is currently
on hold but should be completed in due time, as previous discussions had established the need to
maintain the capability of this large environmental chamber. Another commendation for the group is its
effective use of visiting scientists and graduate students in project implementation.
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249
The resources for the Heat Transfer and Alternative Energy Systems Group are adequate at present.
The group's research programs all involve significant experimental work, and there appear to be suffi-
cient resources in staff and equipment to allow them to carry out the necessary investigations. However,
if the energy situation changes so that either photovoltaic power or fuel cells become a more important
option, it may be necessary to add staff and other resources to the projects in these areas. The integrated
photovoltaic testbed is the only one in the United States, and increased industrial activity could place
increased demands for testing and evaluation of new photovoltaic components. The fuel cell industry
will undoubtedly grow and mature, and the most promising systems will be identified. There will then
be more demand for testing to establish characteristics and standards. The activity in the Thermal
Conductivity Measurements project is expected to remain at current levels and not to require increased
support.
The Mechanical Systems and Controls Group is effectively using its staff for the wide range of
research projects under way. The group had a retirement in December 2002 and is searching for a
replacement. With the new funding in critical infrastructure protection, the group has chosen to let
contracts to Pennsylvania State and Drexel Universities to assist with this new research.
The Computer-Integrated Building Processes Group added a new computer scientist in August 2002
and is hoping to add another permanent member this year. There are currently no guest researchers to
replace the two guests of last year, but discussions with several foreign students are continuing. The
group has augmented permanent staff with contract- and grant-supported staff. While these arrange-
ments have resulted in visible progress on group projects, an additional permanent member is still
desirable. The issue is one of attracting qualified candidates. The facilities required by the group are
primarily computer equipment, and they have been well maintained to meet the needs of the group.
Funding for the Computer-Integrated Building Processes Group's projects is 100 percent NIST
funding, with approximately 50 percent coming from outside BFRL. The funding from outside BFRL
represents some diversification and healthy interconnectedness beyond the core group and the division.
Additional diversification and interconnectedness from funding and collaboration outside NIST could
further contribute to achieving group objectives.
FIRE RESEARCH DIVISION
The goals and vision of the Fire Research Division are much better defined than in previous years.
The division is successfully pursuing its goal of fire loss reduction by enabling engineered fire safety for
people, products, and facilities and by enhancing the effectiveness of firefighters. The division conducts
research programs focused on reduced risk of flashover, directed at reducing residential fire deaths,
injuries, and property losses; on advanced fire technologies services, working to reduce deaths and burn
injuries of firefighters in the line of service; and on advanced measurement and prediction methods.
Programs within the division are well planned and coordinated across its groups Fire Fighting
Technology, Fire Metrology, Analysis and Prediction, Integrated Performance Assessment, and Materi-
als and Products. The group and program managers involve the staff in the planning process. Synergies
between complementary talents of the applied and basic research groups within the division were
apparent to the panel and appear to validate the merger in 2000. The division now constitutes the
preeminent fire research resource in the United States.
The panel reviewed three areas of activity: predictive tools, measurement tools, and the application
of such tools for the reduction of fire loss and protection of first responders.
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Technical Merit
A core of the Fire Research Division's modeling efforts is the development, application, and
distribution of the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). The FDS software incorporates advanced turbulent
models (large-eddy simulation), gas radiation, and scientific visualization in an efficient computational
scheme that can run on desktop computers. The capabilities of the FDS model have been enhanced in the
recently released Version 3.0, which incorporates absorption and scattering by droplet sprays, a multi-
grid capability, a mixture fraction combustion model, and gas radiation.
The FDS has been widely used for fire reconstruction, for providing educational tools for firefighters
and the public, and for guiding the research program though the design of experiments. Illustrative uses
of it are for the examination of the impact on fires of positive versus natural ventilation, for the
assessment of the protection afforded by turnout gear under different thermal conditions, and for train-
ing on fire-fighting tactics. The FDS and its visualization program, Smokeview, have been widely
distributed. Validation efforts, including planned tests in the Large Fire Laboratory, are necessary to
support confidence in the model's predictive capabilities.
The FDS provides a tool for predicting the gross behavior of fires. Additional modeling efforts in
the division are directed at phenomena occurring at smaller scales. These include models on fire spread,
predictions of flashover, exposure of firefighters to radiation from fires, and heat transfer through fire-
protective clothing and skin. Other modeling efforts include reactive molecular dynamics studies of the
thermal decomposition of polymers and of the relationship between polymer structure and flammability.
The division's modeling efforts are complemented by a comprehensive experimental program di-
rected at assessing the effectiveness of fire detection systems, flame-resistant materials, and fire sup-
pression methods. Specialized facilities have been developed to support these efforts. The Fire-Emula-
tor/Detector Evaluator Facility continues to provide an unbiased scientific rating of smoke detectors for
industry and the public.
The division has been active in developing advanced, specialized measurement techniques for
quantifying the propagation and control of fires. Impressive progress is being made in the development
of rapid screening techniques for flame-retardant materials. The division's work includes the develop-
ment of promising methods for example, high-throughput flame-spread measurement by use of the
gradient compositions, high-output microcalorimeters to obtain the heat release rate, radiant heat flux
gradient methods for the determination of ignition. online analytical techniques for characterizing
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nanocomposltes, and U V/Vlbi spectroscopic NMK techniques for rapidly assessing the dispersion in the
polymers of the nanoparticles used as fillers. A new scanning transmission electron microscope will
assist with evaluation of the dispersion of the nanoparticles. In support of its efforts on fire spread and
suppression, the division is developing and applying methods for quantifying sprinkler sprays and
droplet-and-surface interaction, monitoring heat release rates, measuring the yields of principal toxi-
cants before and after flashover, and determining smoke transmittance and the optical properties of soot,
fire-induced doorway flows, and the heat flux through firefighters' protective clothing. The Large Fire
Laboratory will permit the conduct of experiments with fires of up to 10 MW of thermal output. An
oxygen depletion calorimeter has been developed that can measure the time-resolved heat release rate
from the fires conducted at these large scales. Experimental efforts support in-house research on the
development of fire-resistant materials and validation of models for fire spread and firefighter exposure;
they also provide reference methods for industry and other stakeholders.
Progress is being made on the search for improved fire-resistant materials. The preliminary results
with clay nanoparticles show a marked decrease in flammability at relatively low loadings, suggesting
that nanocomposites with clays or carbon nanotubes might meet objectives of performance, cost, envi-
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BUILDING AND FIRE RESEARCH LABORATORY: DIVISION REVIEWS
25
ronmental impact, and reduced flammability. Lower-weight protective clothing using heat-dissipative
polymers is being evaluated for reducing the fatigue of firefighters. The program for increasing the
effectiveness of firefighting strategies is studying the effectiveness of sprinklers, the effect of their
placement in different building configurations, the dispersion of the droplets, and the effectiveness on
impact of the spray droplets. Fire-spread tools are being applied in areas such as structural collapse
predictions, community-scale fire spread, structural ventilation, and improved firefighter safety.
Opportunities exist for the Fire Research Division to radically change the current approach to
firefighting by applying advances in sensor and communications technology. A commendable start has
been made: the division is participating in efforts to design smart buildings that communicate critical
building parameters in real time to first-responders and that monitor firefighter location and vital
statistics.
The division is applying measurement and prediction methods to identify the role of fire in the
collapse of the World Trade Center's (WTC's) Twin Towers, potential improvements in the design of
fire protection structures, and ways to reduce the vulnerability of firefighters and occupants.
The panel is concerned that the staff is currently facing the stressful challenge of providing support
to WTC activities in addition to satisfying its traditional customer base. The efforts of staff members are
often divided among several (and in some cases too many) projects. These situations should be assessed,
and efforts should be made, where possible, to alleviate pressures that can be anticipated in preparing the
final report on the WTC investigation. In addition, the division should plan a clear and effective
allocation of resources, in both the short and long term, between the WTC efforts and those in support
of its traditional customer base.
Program Relevance and Effectiveness
The Fire Research Division is doing an excellent job of targeting its goals and objectives to meet the
needs of its stakeholders. Results of division activities are widely distributed to stakeholders. For
example, the Fire Fighting Technology Group distributes numerous publications, presentations, and
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fire-related (:L,s and videos. 'l'he Fire L,ynamlcs Simulator IS utilized internationally. 'l'he division
should consider additional relevant efforts in the areas of monitoring firefighters and in encouraging the
residential use of sprinklers. Effectiveness of interaction between the cross-functional teams is improv-
ing.
The Materials and Products Group has produced numerous journal articles, conference papers, and
reports. The group has worked with its industrial counterparts over the past 4 years to develop a
flammability test method for mattresses that reflects real-world bed-fire behavior. The State of Califor-
nia is adopting this test method, effective January 2004. A challenge for the group is to expand outreach
to industry.
The Fire Research Division should focus more on codes and standards. The division is currently
participating in this area, but a plan should be developed for making more of an impact on the codes and
standards process so that codes and standards more fully reflect the outcome of R&D efforts. Additional
focus could be generated by the formation of a codes and standards subgroup or by the creation of a
division that concentrates primarily on codes and standards.
The National Construction Safety Team Act of 2002 presents another opportunity for the BFRL and
the Fire Research Division. Findings from investigations may affect subsequent research and have
application to codes and standards. The division needs to define how its resources will be deployed to
investigations and how the results of investigations are going to be distributed and applied. The National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) poses additional challenges for BFRL. In order for the Fire Research
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIST MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDS LABORATORIES: FY 2003
Division to gather data (for validation of models and for other forms of research) at planned fire
situations, it must go through an expensive and time-consuming permit process (NEPA). This situation
needs to be addressed so that BFRL is allowed to do fieldwork in an expedient manner.
Division Resources
As of January 2003, staffing for the Fire Research Division included 63 full-time permanent posi-
tions. There were also 33 nonpermanent or supplemental personnel, such as guest workers, postdoctoral
research associates, and resident students.
Divisional resources are at higher levels than in recent years; this has had a positive effect on morale
within the laboratory. The OA funding has increased owing to the WTC research effort. The increase in
divisional resources has allowed additional permanent staff to be hired. The anticipated loss of signifi-
cant numbers of senior staff as a result of retirements will create major gaps, and there is a need for a
plan to fill the gaps.
The renovated Large Fire Research Facility brought online last year is already overused. The WTC
and other projects are fully utilizing the facility, so other ongoing work cannot be performed there.
A specific proposal for a Structural Fire Testing Facility and a strategy for its development and
implementation need to be developed this year. This technical thrust area represents a unique opportu-
nity for BFRL to integrate its structural and fire expertise and to create a national research facility and
research focus. The facility would provide a much-needed testing capability and would facilitate inter-
action between several groups within BFRL. It would enable NIST to better support the design of
materials and the development of codes that will reduce the risk of fire and diminish the fire damage.
OFFICE OF APPLIED ECONOMICS
Technical Merit
The goal of the Office of Applied Economics (OAK) is to provide the methodology and tools to
assess and improve the economic efficiency of systems and processes that ensure the safety and well-
being of humans in the built environment. A specialized area in support of this goal is OAK's work in
interdisciplinary teams with engineers and scientists from BFRL and elsewhere within NIST to measure
the economic impact of new technologies.
The focus of OAK's research and technical assistance is microeconomic analysis. OAK provides
such analyses relating to manufacturing, industrial processes, the environment, energy conservation,
construction, facility maintenance, law enforcement, and safety. It also develops and conducts prototype
training programs in applied economics for scientists and engineers.
OAK's activities identify relevant theoretical advances in applied economics and develop the means
to apply them to the design and construction industry. While the researchers do not specifically develop
new theoretical concepts, OAK is recognized as a world leader in the application of these theories to the
built environment.
OAK is particularly strong in the area of enhanced building performance, and it develops tools to aid
decision making in the building and fire safety communities. A core approach is demonstrated in its
work with the Department of Energy, whereby the OAK's software-based systems have been estab-
lished for more than 10 years as the standard in such areas as life-cycle costing and energy efficiency.
The analysis and economic simulation systems provide the immediate and long-term costs associated
with the selection of different technical systems.
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253
OAK has built on this approach of immediate and long-term economic impact to establish the cost/
time tradeoffs for a large number of building and fire systems. The BEES system calculates the embod-
ied energy costs associated with different materials and systems to calculate the relative economic
impact. The Bridge Life Cycle Costing (BridgeLCC) system incorporates the durability and expected
functional life of materials and systems into the economic cost calculations to aid public agencies in the
design of public highways. The Fire Safety Gear Selection system builds on the research results in the
Fire Research Division to include performance qualities with related costs to help local fire departments
select the most cost-efficient and effective gear. The Decision Support system for HUD' s program for
advanced technology for housing allows homeowners and builders to select cost-efficient housing
systems with respect to durability, maintenance, and repair costs relative to initial costs. These programs
are quickly becoming the standard reference for their fields.
OAK collaboration with the other BFRL divisions (Materials and Construction Research, Building
Environment, and Fire Research) further leverages the expertise and impact of the BFRL as a whole.
The projects within OAK have clear deliverables and timetables, and they provide direct and recog-
nized value to the building and fire safety community. OAK provides significant value through the
economic assessment of other technical developments within BFRL. It also provides a strong point of
interaction and integration with the user communities for many projects. For instance, the current
project involved in developing a decision tool for the selection of appropriate fire gear is exploring
direct contact with the professional associations; this can further link the testing and measurement
activities in the Fire Research Laboratory with the firefighter community. Opportunities for further
collaboration between OAK and the other divisions should be explored and supported.
The team of researchers in the OAK provide recognized technical leadership in their field through
participation in national and international codes and standards organizations. For instance, several OAK
staff members are associated with the ASTM Subcommittee on Building Economics, which recently
released a new set of standards for building economic analyses. They are also members of industry
associations, such as the Construction Industry Institute, the International Design Center for the Envi-
ronment, and the International Council for Building Innovation. Practiced through long-standing rela-
tionships such as that with the Department of Energy, OAK's approach and calculations have become
established as the standard in such areas as life-cycle costing and energy efficiency. New relation-
ships for example, with the Construction Industry Institute for the development of a technology
roadmap for the built infrastructure further enhance OAK's leadership.
OAK is involved in NIST homeland security work. A current project is that of developing a tool for
building owners and managers, to aid in the selection of cost-effective strategies for the management of
terrorist and environmental risks.
Program Relevance and Effectiveness
The projects in OAK focus on meeting the requirements of the building and fire safety community,
particularly through the assessment of the adequacy of economic resources to accomplish their objec-
tives within a set of available choices. A high proportion of projects within OAK is funded from external
sources in direct response to the needs of the community. Recently, OAK has increasingly partnered
with other BFRL divisions to complement technological developments with economic assessments that
can aid the effective adoption and dissemination of these developments throughout the community.
OAK's recent contributions of Web-enabled decision-support tools allow an expanding population
of users throughout the United States and internationally to understand and use economic methods to
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254
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIST MEASUREMENT AND STANDARDS LABORATORIES: FY 2003
assess different technological alternatives. OAK currently provides Internet access to most of its soft-
ware programs.
OAK projects are developed and implemented with strong participation from the member commu-
nities. For instance, the decision-support tool for assessing alternative building systems and components
for housing (PATH-D) was developed using participants from both the homebuilder and homeowner
populations. The Internet decision tool for firefighter protective clothing was developed with the U.S.
Fire Administration (part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency) as well as the Fire Research
Division; BFRL is exploring contacts with local fire departments through the International Association
of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Firefighters.
The impacts of OAK can be measured through the ubiquity of use of its products and services in
specific segments of the community. The Building Life Cycle Cost program is the standard reference for
calculating the cost-effectiveness of conservation and renewable energy projects for federal, state, and
local governments. The BEES software system is fast becoming the standard means through which
specific approaches for improving facility sustainability (currently required in most federal agencies by
Executive Orders) are selected and justified with respect to life-cycle costs.
OAK disseminates its tools through publications, conferences and meetings, and electronic media. It
currently provides Internet access to most of its software programs. Over the past 2 years, there have
been almost 75,000 requests to the UNIFORMAT II Internet page and 50,000 requests to the BEES
page. The BEES model was downloaded approximately 8,000 times; the Building Life Cycle Cost
model, 3,400 times; and the Bridge Life Cycle Costing software, more than 300 times.
OAK provides the core materials for and occasionally is directly involved in specific training
programs, such as the Building Life Cycle Cost program. Staff members have also been involved in
almost 20 conferences, workshops, and demonstrations over the past year, presenting topics such as the
economic incentives for building safer communities and the economic costs of mold in housing. OAK
had three major software releases during the past year: BEES 3.0, BLCC 5.1 (for Building Life Cycle
Costs), and Autobid 2.0 (for police patrol car selection).
Division Resources
The estimated FY 2003 budget for OAK is $2.5 million, 34 percent of which is STRS funding and
61 percent of which is other agency funding.
As of January 2003, the OAK staff included 11 full-time positions, of which 9 were technical
professionals. Recent staff hires have added strength to the team as a whole. The staff appears to be
sufficient for current project levels. OAK should explore expanding its use of guest researchers and
students, particularly in the areas of sustainability and the cost-effectiveness of new technologies.
The division could also expand its partnering and collaborative relationships with other organiza-
tions and institutions that can provide the content for the tools that OAK is developing. For instance, the
BEES program strongly leverages the contributions of the U.S. Green Building Council. As the tools
and methodologies developed by OAK are applied to an increasing range of areas for example, the
selection of fire protective gear and police vehicles as well as to building security and concrete perfor-
mance it will become critically important to involve these user communities in gathering and updating
the core content.
OAK has been successful in attracting participation and funding from external agencies (such as the
Department of Energy) and in developing new relationships (such as that with the Department of
Agriculture). It could also, with additional internal NIST funding and support, further collaborate with
the other BFRL divisions and with other NIST laboratories.
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255
BUILDING AND FIRE RESEARCH LABORATORY: DIVISION REVIEWS
CODES AND STANDARDS ACTIVITIES
The staffs of the Materials and Construction Research Division and the Fire Research Division, in
concert with qualified and capable subcontractors, are studying the effects of the attacks on the World
Trade Center. The investigation includes an analysis of building and fire codes and practices. That
analysis should complement, feed, and be fed by an examination of codes and practices by the other
teams engaged in the WTC investigation, each of which should be asking, as one of its concerns: "What
impact, if any, will our work have on the codes and standards industries of the world, and how can we
best disseminate the results of our work in a timely manner?"
The audience for BFRL' s work in all of these areas includes the manufacturers of relevant products
and regulators. The building codes currently adopted and enforced in the United States are updated
yearly but are formally reprinted on a 3-year cycle. BFRL contributions to the codes should currently
target the 2006 edition. Meeting this goal requires that the goal be adopted by a preponderance of BFRL,
with the implication that the BFRL divisions consider the codes and standards activities a matter of
concern relevant to their particular projects. That recognition is not currently shared across BFRL.
BFRL's Codes and Standards cadre has taken a lead in the ASME A17 discussions of the codes and
standards that would govern the potential use of elevators and other mechanical conveyance systems as
a means of egress in emergency situations.
The best ways to gain access to and to exit buildings and facilities during emergency situations are
still poorly understood by the general public. Through its involvement in the investigation of recent fire
tragedies (e.g., the Rhode Island nightclub fire), BFRL can also play a critical role in support of
reanalyzing methods of exiting buildings and facilities in emergencies or situations involving perceived
. .
emergencies or panic.
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Representative terms from entire chapter:
polymeric materials
