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Engineering Laboratory

Summary of actions needed and/or taken on recommendations resulting from The Station nightclub fire investigation

NIST Recommendation	Responsible Parties	Comments
1. Adopt and enforce model codes	state and local jurisdictions ICC and NFPA	Continuous education and training effort required to raise awareness of the benefits and importance of embracing recommendation. NFPA TIA #742R required owner to maintain records of egress inspection (NFPA 101:12.7.1 and 101:13.7.1); adopted in 2006 edition. RI adopted NFPA 1 and NFPA 101, and strengthened fire marshal's enforcement power.
2. Strengthen requirement for sprinklers	state and local jurisdictions NFPA and ICC	NFPA TIA #739R required existing nightclub facilities and festival seating venues with occupant loads greater than 100 to be sprinklered (NFPA 101:13.3.5.1); adopted in 2006 edition. NFPA TIA #743R required all new nightclub facilities and festival seating venues to be sprinklered (NFPA 101:12.3.5.1); adopted in 2006 edition. Continuous effort required to raise awareness of the benefits and importance of embracing recommendation. RI strengthened regulation requiring sprinklers based upon occupant load of 150 rather than 100, some exemptions.
3. Strengthen restrictions on foam plastic finish materials	state and local jurisdictions NFPA, ICC, ASTM, UL NAFTL building materials industry NIST	ICC FS108-03/04 dealt with one small aspect of foam plastic finish materials; additional revisions needed to be developed using established procedures. NIST will work with standards committees (UL 94, ASTM E84, NFPA 255, and NFPA 286) to develop ways to address recommendation. This will be a long term effort due to the research needed to support changes to building and fire codes and standards. State and local jurisdictions can have immediate impact by adopting and enforcing existing model codes.
4. Strengthen restrictions on use of pyrotechnics	state and local jurisdictions NFPA, ICC	NIST needs to work with NFPA 1126 to develop technical support for recommendation. This activity has not yet started. RI strengthened restrictions to prohibit use of pyrotechnics in places of assembly such as nightclubs and to strictly regulate their use in large venues that can accommodate them safely. State and local jurisdictions can have immediate impact by adopting and enforcing existing model codes.
5. Increase factor of safety on egress	state and local jurisdictions NFPA, ICC NIST	NFPA TIA #737R and NFPA TIA #740 restricted festival seating in new and existing facilities if occupant load is greater than 250 unless life-safety evaluation in conducted (NFPA 101:12.2.5.4.1 and 101:13.2.5.4.1); adopted in 2006 edition. NFPA TIA# 738 required trained crowd managers for existing and new assembly occupancies (NFPA 101:12.7.5 and 101:13.7.5); adopted in 2006 edition. NIST will work with NFPA 101, NFPA 5000, and IBC; substantial research effort required, which NIST is pursuing. State and local jurisdictions can have immediate impact by adopting and enforcing existing model codes.
6. Conduct portable fire extinguisher study	fire protection equipment manufacturers NFPA, FPRF	FPRF and manufacturers need to conduct study to support a formal proposal to NFPA 10. RI now requires two 20 pound extinguishers in stage areas.
7. Adopt and practice communication, response, command structures, and staffing guidelines already established	state and local jurisdictions NFPA, ICC	Continuous education and training effort required to raise awareness of the benefits and importance of embracing recommendation and practicing established guidelines for communication, response, command structures, and staffing. No research nor code changes are required.
8. Conduct research to understand human behavior better in emergency situations	NSF, NIST, DHS, CDC, NIH, DOD, GSA universities	NIST has established research program. Energized multi-agency effort is needed.
9. Conduct research to understand fire spread and suppression better	NSF, NIST, DOD, DHS building materials industry	Research is ongoing at NIST and elsewhere.
10. Conduct research to refine computer-aided decision tools	NSF, NIST, DOD, DHS, GSA, EPA universities	Research is ongoing at NIST and elsewhere.

Acronym	Organization	Type
ASTM	American Society for Testing Materials	non-governmental model standards organization
CDC	Centers for Disease Control	federal government
DHS	Department of Homeland Security	federal government
DOD	Department of Defense	federal government
EPA	Environmental Protection Agency	federal government
FPRF	Fire Protection Research Foundation	non-profit research
GSA	General Services Administration	federal government
ICC	International Code Council	non-governmental model code organization
NAFTL	North American Fire Testing Laboratory organization	industry group
NFPA	National Fire Protection Association	non-governmental model standards/codes organization
NIH	National Institutes of Health	federal government
NIST	National Institute of Standards and Technology	federal government
NSF	National Science Foundation	federal government
UL	Underwriters Laboratories	non-governmental model standards organization

Disaster and failure studies and Disaster and failure studies

Created May 11, 2010, Updated August 25, 2016