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Fire

Fire fighting

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.

News and Updates

Left side is a photo of a firefighter dressed in full equipment, including heavy clothing, a helmet and a breathing mask. Right side is a diagram showing the three layers typically found in firefighter gear: outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal barrier.

PFAS Found in Firefighter Gloves, Hoods and Wildland Gear

The graphic depicts a firefighter wearing protective turnout gear with a diagram of the three layers of the gear, which are the outer shell, the moisture barrier and thermal barrier.

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

Four small dark glass ampules stand on a lab table, market with skull and crossbones danger icons.

NIST Researchers Develop Standards to Help Eliminate ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Firefighting Foams

A burning workcart. There are sensors set up all around it, and the clock on the floor reads 13:59.

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

This living database of real-scale fire experiments provides the public with free and open access to fire calorimetry results.

A Christmas tree is engulfed in flames. To the left is a chair. In front is a coffee table, rug and fishbowl. To the right is a tall bookshelf. There are 3 wrapped presents under the tree. A timer reads 8:04 seconds.

Safety Moon Shot: How Fire Research Cut Deaths by Half in a Generation

PSCR firefighters for a day post for a photo in full gear in front of a fire truck

Making Fighting Fires in Virtual Reality More Like Real Reality

Firefighter wearing gear, including face shield, standing near smoking building

Smoke Signals: Ensuring the Clarity of Emergency Communications

View fire fighting publications

View fire fighting research projects

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