An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Measurement and Standards Laboratories Fiscal Years 2004-2005 (2005) / Chapter Skim
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2 Building and Fire Research Laboratory
2 Building and Fire Research Laboratory
Pages 17-28
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From page 17... ...
, · Building Environment Division (BED) , and · Fire Research Division (FRD)
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From page 18... ...
Some of the major new initiatives of the laboratory in FY 2004-2005 were as follows: · Responsibility for carrying out the provisions of the National Construction Safety Team Act of 2002 (NCSTA) was assigned by Congress to NIST, with BFRL as the lead laboratory.
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From page 19... ...
Recent examples of BFRL involvement in codes and standards include the proposals derived from the World Trade Center investigation and the proposals for code changes pertaining to the use of elevators as a means of escape during an emergency condition. In carrying out its mission, BFRL attempts to maintain a balance between its long-term, more fundamentally driven work and its responsiveness to immediate needs.
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From page 20... ...
Another BFRL division, the Building Environment Division, has continued to produce high-quality and relevant work. BED has continued its success in developing and promoting the BACnet standard for building automation system communications, providing an excellent example of how BED can work in an industry and move it forward.
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From page 21... ...
The Large Fire Laboratory facilities are very impressive. The FRD has developed the facilities and expertise to respond effectively to many of the fire disasters and issues that compromise fire safety in order to increase personal and national safety and security.
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From page 22... ...
The BED enjoys a clear leadership role in the national program entitled Healthy Buildings, as evidenced by the division's activities on key industry committees and the tools that BED has developed that are making inroads in the industry. While Healthy Buildings is not explicitly included in the NIST Strategic Focus Area of Biosciences and Healthcare, it should be: BFRL leadership should actively advocate for including this area of activity in the definition of this Strategic Focus Area.
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From page 23... ...
The following challenges relating to the future relevance of its efforts face the Building and Fire Research Laboratory: · The planning and construction of a National Structural Fire Testing Laboratory. · Planning on what it means to be the designated lead agency for the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program: How will NIST's lead differ from that of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the past?
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From page 24... ...
The BED investment in basic research and algorithm development in the area of building airflow has borne fruit in the form of industry-accepted simulation tools and tools that have solved real-world problems. The FRD continues to provide a national resource for evaluating equipment for fire loss reduction and providing the assessments needed to establish standards.
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From page 25... ...
Since this is the first investigation performed under the National Construction Safety Team Act of 2002, it involved a steep learning process. Lessons learned from this investigation should reinforce the need to ensure that funding is available for the National Construction Safety Team and that a team is in place and prepared for the next national fire disaster.
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From page 26... ...
The OAE needs to expand its technical competencies, particularly in human resources, to respond effectively to emerging requirements. With the WTC analysis, the Rhode Island nightclub fire report, and the creation of a National Construction Safety Team, NIST and BFRL are poised to assume a prominent role in this arena in the future.
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From page 27... ...
The need for such resources that can be utilized during disasters has been recognized by the formation of the National Construction Safety Team, but without funding for this initiative it may be difficult to maintain the resources at the level needed to address future crises. The resources for the WTC and the Rhode Island nightclub fire investigations were made available by transferring personnel from other programs, reducing the effectiveness of those programs.
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