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Buildings & Construction

News and Updates

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Web Site Offers Easy Access to Life-Saving Fire Service Research

March 18, 2008

A new National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Web site offers easy access to reports of NIST fire investigations, summaries of research projects

Energy Upgrades Pay Off for Taxpayers and Feds

March 5, 2008

Buildings account for 40 percent of the energy consumed within the United States and a similar percentage of carbon dioxide emissions. National Institute of

Elevators Seen as Playing Hi-Rise Fire Evacuation Role

October 25, 2007

"In case of fire use the stairs, not the elevator"—appears on signs posted in elevator lobbies throughout the United States. In the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001

Home Sprinklers Score 'A' in NIST Cost-Benefit Study

October 11, 2007

Sometimes life-saving technologies seem beyond the reach of the average person. If you put residential fire sprinklers in that category, think again. National

NIST Official Testifies on Fire Research Program

October 11, 2007

On Oct. 2, 2007, S. Shyam Sunder, director of the Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), testified

NIST Firebrand Device Could Save U.S. and Japanese Homes

September 13, 2007

Crackling embers and glowing firebrands might make for a romantic evening in front of the fireplace, but for homeowners in high fire-risk areas, windborne fire

Flames coming out of the first doorway of a test structure after the floor has collapsed into the basement.

Fire Tests Examine Structural Collapse Hazards and Warning Devices

August 30, 2007

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) conducted experiments this week in Sharon Hill, Pa., on the hazards of fires under residential floors

NIST Begins Technical Study of S.C. Warehouse Fire

July 20, 2007

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced that it is beginning a technical study of the June 18, 2007, fire at the Super Sofa

Building Retrofits Reduce Chem/Bio Hazards Risks

June 8, 2007

A new report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers building owners and

Enhanced Air Quality Modeling Software Available

November 22, 2006

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently announced that an enhanced version of its CONTAM indoor air quality modeling software is now

NIST's World Trade Center Investigation

September 8, 2006

(9/8/2006, ARCHIVE, incorporated into 9/19/2011 update) What is NIST? The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is an agency of the Commerce

Workshops Address How to Avoid Progressive Collapse

August 31, 2006

The 1995 bombing that triggered the collapse of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla., first raised concerns in the United States about

Commerce's NIST Sending Experts to Examine Missouri Building Collapse

June 27, 2006

GAITHERSBURG, Md.—The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today that it is immediately sending two structural

Improved Rating for Residential Fuel Cells

June 22, 2006

A new performance rating system for residential fuel cells developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) can help prospective buyers

Q&As on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Reconnaissance and Assessment of Damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

June 9, 2006

1. Why did NIST assess damage from Hurricane Katrina when there are othergroups doing the same thing? Each of the agencies involved in reconnaissance and

NIST Statement on Progressive/Disportionate Collapse Provisions

April 14, 2006

The United Kingdom has a progressive collapse standard Standards to avoid progressive collapse Large panel Construction since 1968. The standard lists two

Site Tracks Implementation of Trade Center Suggestions

February 16, 2006

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has implemented a Web-based system so that the public can track the progress toward implementing the

Fire Panel Changes Offer Real-Time Fire Status Data

February 2, 2006

Fire panels, or "annunciators," are electronic devices that display data on building conditions in one easily accessible location. When used by first responders

Draft Statement of Work for Structural Analysis of WTC 7

January 4, 2006

NIST is interested in receiving technical comments about the scope of work and technical approach for The draft statement of work for structural analysis of WTC

Updated Fire Modeling Software Released

November 3, 2005

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released in September an updated version of a popular computer program that fire investigators, safety

NIST Urges Implementation of Recommendations from World Trade Center Investigation Final Towers Report Released Today at Congressional Hearing

October 26, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C.— William Jeffrey, director of the U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), today called on the