National Fire Research Lab (NFRL) at NIST/NBS
The National Fire Research Laboratory (NFRL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a premier facility dedicated to advancing the understanding of fire behavior and the structural response of buildings and materials to fire. Located on NIST’s Gaithersburg, Maryland campus, the NFRL provides approximately 3,000 square meters (32,300 square feet) of experimental space, equipped with four exhaust hoods capable of handling fires with heat release rates up to 20 megawatts.
Key Features of the NFRL:
- Large High-Bay Test Area: This space includes a strong floor measuring 18.3 meters by 27.4 meters (60 ft x 90 ft) and a strong wall measuring 9.1 meters by 18.3 meters (30 ft x 60 ft). These features enable controlled structural loading experiments beneath a 20 MW exhaust hood, facilitating the study of large-scale structural components under realistic fire conditions.
- Exhaust Hoods and Emissions Control: The facility’s exhaust system, part of an oxygen consumption calorimeter, allows precise measurement of fire heat release rates and includes an Emissions Control System to treat smoke and combustion products.
Recent and Ongoing Research Initiatives:
- Measurement of Structural Performance in Fire: This project conducts large-scale fire experiments to provide data supporting the development of validated computational tools for cost-effective fire-resistant structure design.
- Advanced Metrology: The NFRL is developing a robust system of measurement capabilities and best practices to advance fire metrology, generate accurate data, and provide solutions for various fire-related issues.
- Operations and Safety: This initiative focuses on developing and maintaining a research portfolio, standard operating procedures, test protocols, safety programs, and a robust business model for large-scale fire and fire-structural experiments.
Notable Achievements:
- Fire Calorimetry Database: In January 2021, NIST released an updated Fire Calorimetry Database, providing valuable data for researchers and engineers to understand fire behavior better.
- Structural Fire Resistance Research: NIST has conducted studies on how fire causes office-building floors to collapse, providing insights that inform building codes and safety standards.
For a visual overview of the NFRL’s capabilities and research activities, you can watch the following video:
Built to House an Inferno: The NIST National Fire Research Laboratory
Here are the sources as requested: