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A fire burning in a forest

Fire

Fire testing may have its roots in the distant past—perhaps as far back as 2.5 million years ago, when our ancestors first encountered flames and quickly learned that fire's heat could be both powerful and dangerous. Since those early days, humanity has been on a relentless journey to understand and harness the behavior of fire. Most importantly, we've sought ways to protect life and property from its destructive power.

At NIST, fire testing has been a cornerstone of research since the early 1900s. Our work has generated critical data, insights, and knowledge to advance fire science. From fire safety engineering and firefighting to fire investigation and testing, NIST’s research has helped shape how we address the risks posed by fire today.

For technical information and current research, visit the Fire Research Division website.

Since the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 was passed, annual U.S. fire fatalities have decreased by more than 50%. NIST’s fire research has played a crucial role in saving thousands of lives annually. Find out more about 50 years of fire safety advances thanks to NIST's work.
 

Feature Stories and Photo Essays

In the Eye of the Fire

Piecing Together the Timeline of California’s Deadliest Wildfire

Behind the Scenes: The Making of a NIST Holiday Special

News

New Smoke Alarms Are Better at Detecting Fires but Still Beep for Bacon

John W. Lyons, Who Led NIST in Times of Great Change, Dies at 93

Wear and Tear May Cause Firefighter Gear to Release More ‘Forever Chemicals’

Featured Videos

Preventing Wildfires from Spreading: Insights from Cutting-Edge Fire Experiments
How Can We Make Buildings More Resilient to Fire?

Blog posts

The Sound of Soot: How a Strange Noise Can Keep Us Safer From Fires

Saving Lives by Making Upholstered Furniture More Resistant to Fire

The New NIST Fire Calorimetry Database Is Available to Answer Your Burning Questions