Science-Based Standards Jason D. Averill NIST A Workshop On: “Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs – Standards for Products and Assistive Devices” May 25, 2010

About NIST Founded in 1901 as NBS Non-regulatory Part of US Dept. of Commerce Work in fire goes back to 1904 Baltimore Fire Non-standard hose couplings 1,526 buildings destroyed

Developing Standards is Difficult Problems Completeness Effectiveness Thresholds Competing interests New technology or paradigm Solutions Committee Balance Expert Judgment Experience Legacy Hazard Analysis Investigations Science

Overview of Case Studies Bench-Scale Toxicity (Completeness) Firefighter Deployment (Thresholds) Stairwells (Competing interests) Occupant-Use Elevators (New paradigm) PASS Devices (Serendipity)

Bench-Scale Toxicity (Completeness) Problem Many devices and standards Dynamic problem Pre-flashover (well-ventilated combustion) Post-flashover (under-ventilated combustion) Scale effects (complex materials) No validation of bench-scale to full-scale test data

Bench-Scale Toxicity (Completeness) Solution Replicate experiments in full-scale using multiple complex materials in both pre- and post-flashover conditions Compare results from full-scale tests to bench-scale devices using: Standard procedures Improved procedures Publish best practices guide to match materials, combustion conditions, and device

Bench-Scale Toxicity (Completeness) Result: Manufacturers will have tools to design safer and cost-effective products Regulators will have enforceable and effective testing program Engineers will have a validated, quantitative understanding of the toxic hazard various materials introduce to the design environment

Firefighter Deployment (Thresholds) Problem: Bona-fide need for national deployment standards Collective experience of fire service and realities of limited local budgets conflict Little scientific data to support thresholds for arrival time and crew size

Firefighter Deployment (Thresholds) Solution: Parametric field experiments to evaluate the relative effects of: First-due engine arrival time Stagger between engines/trucks Crew size

Firefighter Deployment (Thresholds) Solution (cont’d): Statistically generalizable survey of fire department incident data to validate the experimental findings Result Combined effect will support a rational basis for NFPA 1710/1720

Stairwells (Competing Interests) Problem: Technical basis for current stair width requirements traced to 1935 NBS report which found existing stairs had an average width of 44 inches. Lack of data allow qualitative arguments from business interests for more narrow stairs and safety advocates for wider stairs

Stairwells (Competing Interests) Solution: Parametric set of fire drill observations considering: Stair width Building height Use group and occupants* Detailed analysis of historical life-loss incidents involving stairs * Notably including an assisted-living facility (analysis pending)

Stairwells (Competing Interests) Result: Develop a consensus around the balance between stair performance and stair size Technical basis for designers, emergency managers, and modelers

Occupant-Use Elevators (New paradigm) Problem: How to develop a complete set of code requirements and consensus standards without: Experience Data / experiments Legacy code

Occupant-Use Elevators (New paradigm) Solution: Massive, multi-year collaboration involving: Several dozen experts from industry, building owners / operators, academics, government, users, special needs, and codes and standards representatives

Occupant-Use Elevators (New paradigm) Solution: ISO Hazard Analysis Process Hazard Mitigation Residual Hazard 1. Occupants exposed to combustion products Enclose lobbies 1. Re-enter floor to access stair if elevators become unavailable 2. Smoke control system 1. Power failure 1.1.1 Re-enter floor to access stair if elevators become unavailable 1. Require protected access to stair from elevator lobby 1. Fire department holds doors open when connecting to standpipe in the stairway

Occupant-Use Elevators (New paradigm) Result: Equal-opportunity for persons with disabilities to escape from tall buildings during fire emergencies Reduced overall egress time for all occupants Systematic identification of future research needs

PASS Devices (Completeness and Serendipity) Problem: Firefighter PASS device certification requirements did not account for: Heat Humidity

PASS Devices (Completeness and Serendipity) Solution: Re-create firefighter occupational exposures Bench-scale Full-scale Serendipity of an alert technician identified critical flaw in PASS design

PASS Devices (Completeness and Serendipity) Result: PASS devices more likely to operate when they are needed the most Thermal classes now applied to other key firefighting equipment

Assistive Devices & Product Standards How we maximize the effectiveness of future standards for assistive devices? Balanced participation should consider full life-cycle (eg, scientific studies through code requirements) including groups who may bear costs or liabilities

Assistive Devices & Product Standards Engage the expert judgment and experience of assistive device developers and users Research legacy standards in US or standards in other countries to understand what aspects work and which are missing or fail to achieve the desired outcome

Assistive Devices & Product Standards Consider use of a hazard analysis to ensure that the full range of hazards are mitigated rather than simply the obvious hazards Conduct scale-appropriate experiments using subject matter experts which answer specific research questions which will provide a technical basis for code provisions

Thank you averill@nist.gov