Fire Fighting Technology Group

News and Updates

AI Can Accurately Predict Potentially Fatal Cardiac Events in Firefighters

July 11, 2023

Training a machine-learning model with real-life data from firefighters was key.

The graphic depicts a firefighter wearing protective turnout gear with a diagram of the three layers of the gear, which are the outer shell, the moisture barrier and thermal barrier.

Researchers Pin Down PFAS Prevalence in Firefighter Gear

May 1, 2023

The findings hint at potential solutions for safer equipment.

A fireball rushes out of the opening of a small metal compartment in a concrete room.

A Machine Learning-Based Solution Could Help Firefighters Circumvent Deadly Backdrafts

October 17, 2022

The NIST team got data from hundreds of backdrafts in the lab to use as a basis for a model that can predict them.

AI May Come to the Rescue of Future Firefighters

August 10, 2022

New research suggests that AI could provide first responders with a much-needed heads-up about a dangerous condition called flashover.

Projects and Programs

High Temperature Performance of Fire Fighter Equipment

Ongoing

The performance of fire fighting equipment and gear is critical for the safety and effectiveness of fire fighters. Current equipment standards and test methods

Photo montage showing fill the airplane with fire-fighting foam, a spilled glass of wine on the tablecloth. Cleaning clothes and furniture from stains, Discarded Fast Food Wrappers Littered on Ground, wateproof jacket with water droplets on it. Jacket using the gore-tex technology.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Ongoing

NIST works to improve confidence in measurements and conducts research on PFAS for better human health and the environment.

Smart Fire Fighting

Ongoing

In 2011, the fire departments in the United States responded to more than 484,5001 structure fires. These fires resulted in approximately 2,640 civilian

Publications

Report on High Energy Arcing Fault Experiments - International Experimental Results from Bus Duct and Switchgear Enclosures

July 1, 2024

Author(s)

Gabriel Taylor, Anthony D. Putorti Jr., Scott Bareham, Christopher U. Brown, Wai Cheong Tam, Michael Heck, Lucy Fox, Stephen Fink, Michael Selepak, Edward Hnetkovsky, Nicholas Melly, Kenneth Hamburger, Kenneth Miller

This report documents an experimental program designed to collect data and information to evaluate the performance of models developed to estimate the

On the Use of Neural Network for Evaluation of Total Absorptivity of Glass in a Non-gray Absorbing/Emitting N2/CO2/H2O Mixture Environment

March 13, 2024

Author(s)

Wai Cheong Tam, Walter W. Yuen

Total absorptivity of glass in the presence of a N2/CO2/H2O is determined numerically using the glass spectral optical properties and the spectroscopic data

The Effect of Mandatory Fitness Requirements on Cardiovascular Events: A State-by-State Analysis Using a National Database

March 1, 2024

Author(s)

Dillon Dzikowicz, Sankalp Saoji, Wai Cheong Tam, Wendy Brunner, Mary Carey

Background: Cardiovascular events are known to be the leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters. Implementing fitness standards may help reduce the

New insights into the ignition characteristics of liquid fuels on hot surfaces based on TG-FTIR

February 1, 2024

Author(s)

Jian Chen, Zhenghui Wang, Yanni Zhang, Yang Li, Wai Cheong Tam, Depeng Kong, Jun Deng

There are many potential hazards related with hot surface in industrial processes. Therefore, the ignition characteristics of liquid fuels on hot surfaces play

Awards

Ryan Falkenstein-Smith Receives 40 under 40: E-lecture Series on Combustion Award

For outstanding work on "Characterizing ventilation in fire safety science.

Wai Cheong Tam Receives The Ronald K. Mengel Award

In recognition of the best paper in detection category of the 2023 NFPA SUPDET Conference.