Assessment of the Technological Requirements for the Realization of Performance-Based Fire Safety Design in the United States. Final Report.
Assessment of the Technological Requirements for the
Realization of Performance-Based Fire Safety Design in
the United States. Final Report.
(4188 K)
Meacham, B. J.
NIST GCR 98-763; 48 p. November 1998.
Sponsor:
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Keywords:
building codes; computer models; fire codes; fire
protection engineering; fire safety; fire safety
evaluation system; histories; International Standards
Org.; life safety code; NFPA 101; performance based
codes; risk analysis
Abstract:
Performance-based fire safety design methods are being
used or developed in many parts of the world. The bases
of several of these methods are the many fire
engineering tools and methods developed in the United
States. Unfortunately, these tools and methodologies
are not being widely applied within the United States.
There are many reasons for this, including the lack of
performance-based fire and building codes in general
use, and, where there are such codes or regulations, the
lack of documentation on the availability and
application of credible fire protection engineering
tools and methodologies for fire safety design. To help
assess the technological requirements for realization of
performance-based fire safety design in the United
States, the Society of Fire Protecion Engineers, under a
grant from the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, Building and Fire Research Laboratory,
conducted a research effort during the period September
1995 through August 1998. During Phase 1 of the effort,
the intent of a performance-based approach to fire
safety analysis and design has been identified,
performance-based approaches to fire safety analysis and
design from around the world were identified and
evaluated for applicability in the United States, and a
framework for a performance-based approach to fire
safety analysis and design for use in the United States
was outlined. During Phase 2 of this effort, a focus
group was convened to discuss concepts of a
performance-based building regulatory system for the
United States, including the role of engineering tools
and methodologies in a performance-based system, and
support was provided for the evaluation of engineering
tools and for the development of engineering practice
documents. During Phase 3 of this effort, the
development of an engineering guide on performance-based
fire protection analysis and design was begun, continued
support was provided for the evaluation of engineering
tools and for the development of engineering practice
documents, and issues related to risk and uncertainty in
performance-based fire safety design environment were
investigated. This report summarizes the activities of
this three-year effort, and outlines future efforts
required for widespread realization of performance-based
fire safety design in the United States.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899