- Author
- Pitts, W. M.
- Title
- Uncertainty in Experimental Measurement. BFRL Fire Research Seminar. VHS Video.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- Video, May 11, 1999,
- Keywords
- fire protection | uncertainty | safety
- Abstract
- Every description of the elements of fire protection analysis identifies uncertainty analysis. The application of safety factors is an essential step in appropriate interpretation and necessary conservatism--usually passed over quickly or omitted entirely in actual analysis. Use of a safety factor of 2 is commonplace, but substantiation for that choice is lacking. Effort is underway at the Fire Program of the Building and Fire Research Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to identify, develop, organize, standardize, and promote sound methods for dealing with uncertainty arising from experimental measurement. The structure and direction of this effort will be described, along with findings to date and anticipated future milestones. This presentation is a dry run for a tutorial to be presented during the upcoming NFPA World Fire Safety Congress and Exposition.