Engineering Laboratory

Commercial buildings are over-engineered for fire protection, leading to billions of dollars in waste with little benefit to occupant safety. NIST leads research about how fires burn in buildings and develops tools so architects can confidently identify ways to cut costs without undermining safety.

Hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfires can’t be prevented, but informed community planning could reduce the impact of these hazards. NIST brought together state and local governments, first responders and businesses across the country to develop tools that will improve planning and help communities recover more quickly from disasters.

High-efficiency heat pumps can save consumers money on heating and cooling homes and businesses—which often account for more than a quarter of their electricity bill. NIST research is helping industry improve the design and installation of heat pumps for increased efficiency and performance.