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Rick D. Davis (Fed)
Materials Science Engineer
Dr. Rick D. Davis is a distinguished Materials Research Engineer and leader of the Flammability Reduction Group within NIST's Fire Research Division. With over 22 years at NIST, he has been instrumental in advancing fire safety research, materials characterization, and fire performance standards. He also manages the Fire Risk Reduction in Buildings program and leads the Public Health Safety of Fire Responders project.
Professional Journey and Expertise
Dr. Davis began at NIST in 2000 as a National Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellow, focusing on polymer nanocomposite measurement science. He developed advanced spectroscopic techniques to quantify nanoparticle behavior in polymers, enhancing the understanding of processing effects on material performance.
In 2002, he transitioned to a permanent role in the Flammability Reduction Group, developing high-throughput tools to accelerate nanocomposite research. After four years in the private sector working on rubber and adhesives applications, he returned to NIST in 2008. His research has since focused on fire measurement science for soft furnishings and firefighter protective clothing, leading projects that assess fire threats, develop performance evaluation tools, and inform fire safety standards. His work on a standard reference foam for smoldering tests earned him a Bronze Medal Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Leadership and Impact on Fire Safety Standards
For over a decade, Dr. Davis has led NIST’s Flammability Reduction Group and Fire Risk Reduction Program. His expertise spans small- to full-scale fire testing and materials characterization, contributing to novel fire-retardant technologies like nanocomposites and fire-resistant coatings.
He also leads the Public Health Risks to First Responders study, focusing on PFAS contamination in firefighter gear and workplaces to improve standards and reduce exposure risks. A key contributor to ASTM and NFPA fire performance standards, he has served on editorial boards and is a voting member of the NFPA Fire Testing Technical Committee.
Notably, Dr. Davis is responsible for two Standard Reference Material (SRM) cigarettes at NIST—SRM 1082 (for self-extinguishing cigarettes) and SRM 1196/a (for measuring smoldering ignition resistance in furniture and mattresses)- which support national flammability standards- and maintains technical responsibility for standards to measure the ignition strength of cigarettes.
Beyond research, he has influenced fire safety policy through details at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (enhancing furniture and mattress flammability standards) and the NIST Program Coordination Office (aligning NIST’s broader research initiatives). His leadership and contributions continue to drive advancements in fire science, protective technologies, and fire safety standards, helping protect lives and property.
