Go with the Flow. Nist Study Proves PPV can Save Lives & Improve Safety

Published

November 1, 2009

Author(s)

Stephen Kerber, Daniel M. Madrzykowski

Abstract

The Building and Fire Research Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) started a Fire Fighting Technology Group in order to focus on the research needs of the fire service. One key objective of the group is to provide information to improve fire fighter safety. NIST recently completed a multi-year study on positive pressure ventilation. A wide range of experiments were conducted including laboratory experiments, high rise buildings and a high school. The reports all total more than a 1000 pages. This article will focus on the practical results of the studies. The results will be listed with the title of the report they came from and the web link if you want to download and review it for further information.

Citation

Fire & Rescue Magazine

Volume

27

Issue

11

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

combustion, heat release rate, high rise buildings, smoke, positive pressure ventilation (PPV), schools, ventilation

Citation

Kerber, S. and Madrzykowski, D. (2009), Go with the Flow. Nist Study Proves PPV can Save Lives & Improve Safety, Fire & Rescue Magazine, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=904210 (Accessed October 20, 2025)