- Author
- Meacham, B. J.
- Title
- Evolution of Performance-Based Codes and Fire Safety Design Methods.
- Coporate
- Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Bethesda, MD
- Sponsor
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NIST GCR 98-761, November 1998; August 1996, 65 p.
- Distribution
- 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; Rush Service (Telephone Orders Only) 800-553-6847; Website: http://www.ntis.gov CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM: Website - http://www.bfrl.gov -- click on publications
- Contract
- NIST-GRANT-60NANB5DO138
- 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
- Identifiers
- Building Fire Safety Evaluation Method (BFSEM); Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES); United Kingdom; Japan; United States of America; Canada; Australia; New Zealand; role of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO); role of the International Council on Building Research and Documentation (CIB); Nordic countries; performance-based analysis
- Abstract
- This document provides an overview of the evolution of performance-based building codes and performance-based fire safety analysis and design methods. It was developed during the period of September 1995 through August 1996 as part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building and Fire Research Laboratory, Grant No. 60NANB5DO138: Assessment of the Technological Requirements for the Realization of Performance-Based Fire Safety Design in the United States. Section 2 provides a chronological overview of the evolution of performance-based codes and performance-based fire safety analysis and design methods from the 1970s through the present. Sections 3 through 5 then detail the efforts undertaken in both code development and analysis and design method development during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s respectively. The summary provides a list of analysis and design methods by type, and provides some thoughts on where future effort might be beneficial. Although sufficient detail is provided for the reader to gain an understanding of the fundamental principles behind the various codes, fire safety analysis methods, and fire safety design methods in use or in development as of July 1996, it is highly recommended that the referenced documents be consulted for more detailed information.