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Andrew K. Persily, Steven J. Emmerich, Yanling Wang, Brian J. Polidoro
A simulation study was conducted to evaluate indoor CO exposures as a function of portable generator location and CO emission rate in order to support the development of potential CO emission limits for generators. These simulations employed the multizone
Anthony P. Hamins, Nelson P. Bryner, Albert W. Jones, Galen H. Koepke, casey grant, Anand Raghunathan
This report summarizes the results of the Smart Firefighting Workshop held March 24 and 25, 2014, in Arlington, Virginia and sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The Workshop provided a forum to help identify and
Samuel L. Manzello, Sayaka Suzuki, Koji Kagiya, Junichi Suzuki, Yoshihiko Hayashi
A series of experiments were conducted to examine ignition of mulch beds to continuous, wind-driven firebrand showers. Shredded hardwood mulch, fitted in beds 1.2 m by 1.2 m with a thickness of 51 mm, was attached to a non-combustible re-entrant corner
While most discussions of high performance buildings (HPB) include site impacts, water use, energy, materials and indoor environmental quality, energy often receives more attention than these other attributes. Given that buildings exist primarily for the
William S. Dols, Wang Liangzhu, Steven J. Emmerich, Brian J. Polidoro
The TRNSYS energy analysis tool has been capable of simulating whole building coupled heat transfer and building airflow for several years. The current implementation is based on two TRNSYS modules Type 56 and Type 97. Type 97 is based on a subset of the
Nanoparticles are increasingly incorporated in flooring coatings and interior paints to improve their abrasion and microbial resistance. One particular concern of this application is the release of nanoparticles from these surfaces due to repeated
Max T. Kinateder, Hidemi Omori, Erica D. Kuligowski
The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of elevator evacuation from high-rise buildings with a focus on the safety of mobility impaired occupants. It addresses the specifics of elevator evacuation as well as relevant building codes and its
Randall J. McDermott, Ashish Newale, Brent Rankin, Harshad Lalit, Jay P. Gore
Radiation from buoyant diffusion flames with and without impingement on a flat plate is studied using a unique quantitative comparison of measured and simulated images. The coupling between the stagnation boundary layer and upstream buoyant shear layer
The finite-element method (FEM) requires accurate constitutive models for predicting the behaviour of steel components, structural members, or systems subjected to fire. As part of the World Trade Centre collapse investigation, the National Institute of
Recent numerical studies on the behavior of steel components subjected to a localized fire are presented. Sequentially coupled thermo-mechanical simulations were conducted to predict the steel temperature distribution, the deformation mode and failure
Sarah Slaughter, Douglas Thomas, Robert E. Chapman
Investments in the built environment provide the basis for civil society and commerce, and construction is an engine of growth for the U.S. economy, equaling approximately 3 % to 5 % of GDP. Current U.S. annual expenditures for construction-related R&D are
Wind-driven firebrand showers are a major cause of structural ignition in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires. Past firebrand investigations have not been able to quantify the vulnerabilities of structures to ignition from firebrand showers, as it is
The NIST Firebrand Generator (NIST Dragon) has been used to quantify the vulnerability of structures to ignition by firebrand attack. The Firebrand Generator is also as useful device to study firebrand transport, and has been used to validate firebrand
A series of experiments were conducted to examine potential vulnerabilities of wood decks to continuous, wind-driven firebrand showers. Sections of wood decks (1.2 m by 1.2 m) were constructed and attached to a re-entrant corner assembly. The deck
The NIST Firebrand Generator (NIST Dragon) has been used to quantify the vulnerability of structures to ignition by firebrand attack. The Firebrand Generator is also a useful device to study firebrand transport, and has been used to validate firebrand
Samuel L. Manzello, Sayaka Suzuki, Junichi Suzuki, Koji Kagiya, Yoshihiko Hayashi
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires have caused significant destruction to communities throughout the world. WUI fires continue to burn in the USA; most recently in Texas in 2011, Colorado, and California in 2012, and Arizona, Colorado, and California in
Rodney A. Bryant, Olatunde B. Sanni, Elizabeth F. Moore, Matthew F. Bundy, Aaron N. Johnson
Point velocity measurements conducted by traversing a pitot tube across the cross section of a flow conduit continues to be the standard practice for evaluating the accuracy of continuous flow monitoring devices. Such velocity traverses were conducted in
Valeri I. Babushok, Gregory T. Linteris, Oliver Meier, John Pagliaro
A kinetic model is suggested for hydrocarbon-air flame propagation with addition of hydrochloroflurocarbon (HCFC) fire suppressants, encompassing the combined chemistry of fluorine- and chlorine-containing species. Calculated burning velocities using the
The building industry uses numerous engineering standards, building codes, specifications and regulations and a diverse set of industry vocabularies to describe, assess, and deliver constructed facilities. As part of the expanding use of building
Dustin G. Poppendieck, Matthew P. Schlegel, Andrew K. Persily, Steven J. Nabinger
This letter report provides a project update reflecting the activities to date under the FY2013 interagency agreement between CPSC and NIST. The objective of that agreement is to develop testing and measurement protocols for determining the quantities and
Cynthia H. Reed, Zhe Liu, Steve Cox, Dennis D. Leber, Daniel V. Samarov, John Little
The measurement of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from building products and materials by manufacturers and testing laboratories, and the use of the test results for labeling programs, continues to expand. One issue that hinders chamber product
To improve the reliability and accuracy of chamber tests for measuring emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from interior materials, Virginia Tech (VT) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created a program to