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Displaying 126 - 150 of 256

Progress Report National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Technical Investigation of the May 22, 2011, Tornado in Joplin, Missouri (NISTSP 1139)

November 15, 2012
Author(s)
Erica D. Kuligowski, Franklin T. Lombardo, Long Phan, Marc L. Levitan, David P. Jorgensen
On June 29, 2011, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced that it would conduct a technical investigation of the tornado that struck Joplin, MO, on May 22, 2011. In November 2011, NIST released a draft plan for the study and

Evacuation of People with Disabilities on Stairs

September 18, 2012
Author(s)
Erica D. Kuligowski, Bryan Hoskins, Richard D. Peacock, Emily A. Wiess
The time that it takes a population to reach safety when descending a stairwell during building evacuations is typically described by measureable engineering variables. These engineering variables include stairwell geometry, speed, density, and pre

More Thoughts on Defaults

September 18, 2012
Author(s)
Steve M. Gwynne, Erica D. Kuligowski, Michael Spearpoint
In this paper, the use of default values in egress models is explored and specific values are proposed to combat issues of model misuse. The authors suggest that defaults should represent the most credibly conservative estimates available for core egress

Proposed General Approach to Fire-Safety Scenarios

May 29, 2012
Author(s)
Amanda P. Robbins, Erica D. Kuligowski, Steve M. Gwynne
A systematic approach to the identification of fire-safety scenarios for analysis is desirable in order to identify important scenarios and to help ensure a consistent approach for different analysts. The number of possible fire-safety scenarios in any

Investigation Plan - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Technical Investigation of Building and Emergency Communications System Performance in the Joplin, Missouri, Tornado of May 22, 2011

May 24, 2012
Author(s)
Marc L. Levitan, Long T. Phan, Erica D. Kuligowski, Franklin T. Lombardo, David P. Jorgensen
Following the May 22, 2011 tornado that devastated the City of Joplin, NIST sent four engineers to Missouri on May 24 through May 28 to conduct a preliminary reconnaissance. Based on analysis of the data collected and other criteria required by law and

Building Occupant Safety Research 2012

May 17, 2012
Author(s)
Richard D. Peacock, Erica D. Kuligowski, Jason D. Averill
Historically, building egress systems have evolved in response to specific large loss incidents. Currently, systems are designed around a concept of providing stair capacity for the largest occupant load floor in the building with little or no

Developing Emergency Communication Strategies for Buildings

March 12, 2012
Author(s)
Erica D. Kuligowski, Steve M. Gwynne, Kathryn M. Butler, Bryan L. Hoskins, Carolyn Sandler
The purpose of this document is to provide the foundation for the development of a guidance document on emergency communication message content and dissemination strategies. The document answers three major questions regarding emergency communication

Recommendations for Elevator Messaging Strategies

January 6, 2012
Author(s)
Erica D. Kuligowski, Bryan L. Hoskins
Building occupants, who have been instructed to use elevators for evacuation, and have subsequently congregated within the elevator lobby for eventual evacuation, are presented with an uncertain and potentially intimidating situation. For example, waiting

Predicting Human Behavior during Fires

October 4, 2011
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 evacuation. Building designs and occupant procedures are based on the results produced from these
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