Technical Note (NIST TN)

Evaluation of Image Quality of Thermal Imagers used by the Fire Service

February 26, 2009

Author(s)

Francine K. Amon, Andrew J. Lock

This document reports on the test results of an evaluation of the image quality of thermal imaging cameras used by the fire service. The test methods used were...

Algorithms for Generating Large Sets of Synthetic Directional Wind Speed Data for Hurricane, Thunderstrom, and Synoptic Winds

February 2, 2009

Author(s)

Mircea D. Grigoriu

Probabilistic models are developed for directional wind speeds in hurricane, thunderstorm, and synoptic wind storms. The models, calibrated to data, are used to...

Assessment of Uncertainties for the NIST 1016 mm Guarded-Hot-Plate Apparatus: Extended Analysis for Low-Density Fibrous-Glass Thermal Insulation

February 1, 2009

Author(s)

Robert R. Zarr

An assessment of uncertainties for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 1016 mm Guarded-Hot-Plate apparatus is presented. The uncertainties...

Fire Fighting Tactics under Wind Driven Conditions: Laboratory Experiments

January 21, 2009

Author(s)

Daniel M. Madrzykowski, Stephen Kerber

Eight full scale experiments were conducted to examine the impact of wind on fire spread through a multi-room structure and examine the capabilities of wind...

Clean Agent Suppression of Energized Electrical Equipment Fires

January 1, 2009

Author(s)

Gregory T. Linteris

The NFPA 2001 standard on the use of clean agents for the suppression of fires arose from the phase-out of Halon 1301. Standard methods exists for specifying...

Modeling Human Behavior during Building Fires

December 30, 2008

Author(s)

Erica D. Kuligowski

Evacuation models, including engineering hand calculations and computational tools, are used to evaluate the level of safety provided by buildings during...

Building Networks and Public Safety Communications

November 18, 2008

Author(s)

David G. Holmberg, Stephen J. Treado, William D. Davis, Steven T. Bushby, Alan B. Vinh, Michael A. Galler, R Vettori

The Building Networks and Public Safety Communications project has three components: (1) addressing feasibility of using building networks for bridging first...

On the Criteria for Smoldering Ignition in the CFR 1632 Test for Mattresses

November 1, 2008

Author(s)

Thomas J. Ohlemiller

The Sleep Products Safety Council is sponsoring a study at NIST of the viability of a bench-scale version of CFR 1632 (cigarette ignition of mattresses). In the...

Experimental Study of the Effects of Fuel Type, Fuel Distribribution, and Vent Size on Full-Scale Underventilated Compartment Fires in an ISO 9705 Room (NIST TN 1603)

October 1, 2008

Author(s)

Andrew J. Lock, Matthew F. Bundy, Erik L. Johnsson, Anthony P. Hamins, Gwon Ko, Cheolhong Hwang, Stephen P. Fuss, Richard H. Harris Jr.

This report describes new full-scale ISO9705 compartment fire experiments, which include local measurements of temperature and species composition. The...

Practical Challenges in Wireless Sensor Network Use in Buildings

September 30, 2008

Author(s)

William M. Healy, Won Suk Jang

While wireless sensor network technology has advanced in recent years, potential users of these systems in buildings still have concerns with their use. This...

Contaminant Accumulation and Removal in Building Plumbing Systems

September 30, 2008

Author(s)

Stephen J. Treado, Mark A. Kedzierski, Daniel R. Flynn, David Wilmering, Thomas D. Montgomery, Kenneth D. Cole

This report summarizes measurements and results conducted to evaluate the accumulation and removal of water-borne contaminants in building plumbing systems. In...

Using the BACnet Communications DLL v1.0

September 29, 2008

Author(s)

Michael A. Galler

The BACnet standard [1] defines a communication protocol for information exchange between components of a distributed building automation and control system...

NIST Tests of the Wireless Environment in Automobile Manufacturing Facilities

September 1, 2008

Author(s)

Catherine A. Remley, Galen H. Koepke, Chriss A. Grosvenor, John M. Ladbury, Dennis G. Camell, Jason B. Coder, Robert Johnk

This report describes tests carried out by members of the NIST Electromagnetics Division to study the wireless environment in automotive manufacturing...

Residential Structure Separation Fire Experiments

August 1, 2008

Author(s)

Alexander Maranghides, Erik L. Johnsson

Building codes often allow structures with window openings and combustible exteriors to be built with as little as 1.8 m (6 ft) of separation between them. In a...

Recommended Terminology For Microwave Radiometry

August 1, 2008

Author(s)

James P. Randa, Janne Lahtinen, Adriano Camps, A. Gasiewski, Martti Hallikainen, David Leine V, Manuel Martin-Neira, Jeff Piepmeier, Philip Rosenkranz, Christopher Ruf, James Shiue, Niels Skou

We present recommended definitions for common terms in microwave remote-sensing radiometry. Terms are grouped into three chapters: General Terminology, Real...

Electromagnetic Airframe Penetration Measurements of a Beechcraft Premier IA

August 1, 2008

Author(s)

Chriss A. Grosvenor, David R. Novotny, Dennis G. Camell, Galen H. Koepke, Robert Johnk

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has recently completed shielding effectiveness/penetration studies on three different aircraft types for the...

Attenuation of Radio Wave Signals Coupled Into Twelve Large Building Structures

August 1, 2008

Author(s)

Christopher L. Holloway, William F. Young, Galen H. Koepke, Catherine A. Remley, Dennis G. Camell, Yann Becquet

In this report, we investigate radio communication problems faced by emergency responders (firefighters, police and emergency medical personnel) in disaster...

Evaluating Positive Pressure Ventilation In Large Structures: School Pressure and Fire Experiments (NIST TN 1498)

July 1, 2008

Author(s)

Stephen Kerber, Daniel M. Madrzykowski

A series of experiments was run in a masonry educational building examining the ability of fire service Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) fans to limit smoke...

Performance Metrics for Fire Fighting Thermal Imaging Cameras: Small- and Full-Scale Experiments (NIST TN 1499)

July 1, 2008

Author(s)

Francine K. Amon, Nelson P. Bryner, Andrew J. Lock, Anthony P. Hamins

Thermal imaging cameras (TIC) are becoming an important tool for many firefighters and other first responders. However, due to the lack of performance standards...

Evaluating Positive Pressure Ventilation In Large Structures: School Pressure and Fire Experiments

July 1, 2008

Author(s)

Stephen Kerber

A series of experiments was run in a masonry educational building examining the ability of PPV fans to limit smoke spread or to remove smoke from desired areas...

Electromagnetic Airframe Penetration Measurements for the FAA Bombardier Global 5000

June 2, 2008

Author(s)

Chriss A. Grosvenor, David R. Novotny, Dennis G. Camell, Galen H. Koepke, Robert Johnk

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has recently completed shielding effectiveness/penetration studies on three different aircraft types for the...

Transformer-Like Devices for High-Accuracy Current Measurements.

June 1, 2008

Author(s)

T. M. Souders

A theoretical and practical framework is presented to aid in the design, fabrication and testing of transformer-like devices for use in high-accuracy ac current...

A Next Generation Sampling Comparator Probe For The NIST Sampling Waveform Analyzer

June 1, 2008

Author(s)

Owen B. Laug, David I. Bergman, T. M. Souders, Bryan C. Waltrip

The design and performance of A Next Generation Sampling Comparator Probe (NGSCP) is described. It is intended as one of a group of probes designed for use with...

Electromagnetic Airframe Penetration Measurements of the FAA's 737-200

May 2, 2008

Author(s)

Chriss A. Grosvenor, David R. Novotny, Dennis G. Camell, Galen H. Koepke, Robert Johnk, Seturnino Canales

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has completed shielding effectiveness/penetration studies on three different aircraft types for the Federal...

Measurements to Support Modulated-Signal Radio Transmissions for the Public-Safety Sector

April 1, 2008

Author(s)

Catherine A. Remley, Galen H. Koepke, Christopher L. Holloway, Chriss A. Grosvenor, Dennis G. Camell, John M. Ladbury, Robert Johnk, David R. Novotny, William F. Young, George Hough, Michael McKinley, Yann Becquet, John Korsnes

We report on measurements of parameters utilized for characterization of broadband wireless technologies proposed for use by emergency responders (firefighters...

Uncertainty Analysis for NIST Noise-Parameter Measurements

March 31, 2008

Author(s)

James P. Randa

The uncertainty analysis is presented for NIST measurements of noise parameters of amplifiers and transistors, in both connectorized (coaxial) and on-wafer...

Assessment of a Medium-Scale Polyurethane Foam Flammability Test.

February 1, 2008

Author(s)

Thomas J. Ohlemiller, John R. Shields

Six polyurethane foams of widely varying flame retardant levels have been tested in two modes: as four, fabric-wrapped cushions in a chair mock-up based on...

Authentication and Authorization of Building Information Users in BACnet

January 1, 2008

Author(s)

Stephen J. Treado, Alan B. Vinh, Steven T. Bushby

Building automation systems frequently monitor critical building information that would be extremely useful for emergency responders including the status of...

Aspects of the Fire Behavior of Thermoplastic Materials.

January 1, 2008

Author(s)

Thomas J. Ohlemiller, John R. Shields

Thermoplastic polymers pose unique new challenges (resulting from the movement of burning melt material) for the understanding and control of fire growth on...

Performance of Home Smoke Alarms Analysis of the Response of Several Available Technologies in Residential Fire Settings (NIST TN 1455-1)

December 1, 2007

Author(s)

Richard W. Bukowski, Richard D. Peacock, Jason D. Averill, Thomas G. Cleary, Nelson P. Bryner, William D. Walton, Paul A. Reneke, Erica D. Kuligowski

This report presents the results of the project and provides details of the response of a range of residential smoke alarm technologies in a controlled...