NIST Releases DVD Set on Positive Pressure Ventilation Research

This new DVD set includes a presentation video that explains PPV, examines the results of NIST's PPV research, and closes with a focus on the use of PPV tactics in high-rise buildings.  All of the NIST PPV reports referenced in the presentation are included on Disc 1 of the set.  All of the videos from the high-rise fire experiments are also provided with a user-friendly, graphic menu that can be used on a PC or a DVD player.  NIST, with support from USFA, DHS, and fire departments across the country, has taken engineering principles and applied them to fire service PPV tactics in order to improve fire fighter safety.  To receive a copy of the DVD, send email to skerber@nist.gov with your name and mailing address.  

NIST Shares Research With the Fire Service at FDIC

The crew from NIST that attended the Fire Department Instructor's Conference (FDIC) April 7-12, 2008, had good impact over the course of the conference.  Dan Madrzykowski taught an 8 hour workshop on "Fire Dynamics For the Fire Service" and shared results from a couple of recent training fire line of duty deaths.  Steve Kerber and Dan Madrzykowski presented preliminary results from their experiments examining Firefighting Tactics Under Wind Driven Conditions with colleagues from FDNY, Chicago, Toledo and Ottawa fire departments.  At the NIST booth, Nelson Bryner and Roy McLane handed out over 25,000 discs to fire fighters from around the world to use for training and public education.  If you would like a copy of any of these discs, see the Available CD/DVD's section for more information.

NIST Completes Experiments on Governor's Island and Begins Data Analysis

In February 2008, NIST, partnering with FDNY and Polytechnic University conducted experiments in order to improve the safety of fire fighters and building occupants by enabling a better understanding of wind driven firefighting tactics, including structural ventilation and suppression. Further objectives include developing technical information that will enhance our understanding of the dynamics of fire phenomena and prediction of fire intensity and growth under wind driven conditions. The data from this research will help to identify methods of improved standard operating guidelines (SOG) for the fire service to enhance firefighter safety, fire ground operations, and use of equipment.  Results from these experiments should be available by November 2008.  See the Wind Driven Fires section for a compilation video of one of the experiments.

* This research is funded through a Research and Development Grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program