Models and methods

HAZARD 1
FPEtool version 3.2
ALARM 1.0
ALARM 2.0
CFAST/FAST
The National Estimates Approach to U.S. Fire Statistics
All Fired Up - How We Know What We Know About Fire

HAZARD I
Cost: $225.00
This is a fire hazard assessment method with supporting software, designed for an MS-DOS or compatible system by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Building and Fire Research Laboratory (NIST/BFRL). The user defines and provides data on a building, its occupants, a fire, and a product of particular interest. The model then calculates the spread of fire effects; the timing of detector activation; and the actions, reactions, and survival or death of each occupant. The package consists of a set of computer disks and two volumes of documentation with worked examples.

This current version of the software allows modeling of up to 15 rooms, multiple fires, and ceiling and floor venting, and includes many improvements in the user interface and processing speed. There are important limitations on scope and ease of use, so you are encouraged to contact the One-Stop Data Shop before buying to obtain a free copy of "HAZARD I—A Guide for Prospective Buyers." Updates are available to registered users through NIST/BFRL's bulletin board. Further upgrades, when available, will be announced to registered users.

Mail service covered by the purchase price is UPS for delivery in the U.S.A. or Canada and surface mail for delivery outside North America. (Air mail delivery outside North America is available for $40 extra in Europe and South America or for $60 extra in Asia, Africa, or other Pacific nations. Please specify air mail, if desired.)

Registered owners of HAZARD I version 1.1 do not need to re-purchase the complete package but may purchase the HAZARD I version 1.2 Upgrade Package for $19.95. This package includes a replacement set of disks and updates to the manuals. It requires DOS 3.2 or higher and 4MB RAM. For information, contact Nancy Schwartz.

FPEtool version 3.2
Cost: $9.95
FPEtool, developed by NIST, is a computerized package of relatively simple engineering equations and models useful in estimating the potential fire hazard in buildings. Version 3.2 includes calculations for smoke wave in a long corridor, reduction in burning rate under sprinkler spray, and tenability of areas of refuge. For information, contact Nancy Schwartz.

ALARM 1.0
Cost: $9.95
Also developed by NIST, ALARM 1.0, Alternative Life Safety Analysis for Retrofit Cost Minimization, is decision support software to help building managers and fire safety officers achieve cost-effective compliance with NFPA's Life Safety Code® in health care occupancies. For information, contact Nancy Schwartz.

ALARM 2.0
Cost: $25.00
ALARM 2.0 is a software tool developed by NIST that helps prison facility managers and fire safety engineers achieve cost-effective compliance with NFPA´s widely-used Life Safety Code®. ALARM 2.0 supports analysis of detention and correctional occupancies. Download a brochure about ALARM 2.0 (PDF, 430 KB).

CFAST/FAST
Cost: $25.00
Also developed by NIST, CFAST (v. 4.0.1) and FAST (V. 3.1.6) are engineering tools for estimating fire growth and smoke transport. These packages provide calculations of fire phenomena for use by the building designer, code official, fire protection engineer, and fire-safety related practitioner. CFAST is the Consolidated Model of Fire Growth and Smoke Transport. It is the kernel of the zone fire models which are supported by BFRL. FAST and FASTLite are data editors and reporting tools which are "front" and "back" ends for the model CFAST, but what they are running is CFAST. The most recent implementation of CFAST itself is 4.0.1. It is a windows application and will run under all versions of Windows. The most recent version which includes a full featured data editor (FAST)is 3.1.6. For information, contact Nancy Schwartz.

The National Estimates Approach to U.S. Fire Statistics
1989
Cost: Free. 16 pages. Order # NATEST.
The first widely available detailed description of the statistical methods used by NFPA and many other organizations to estimate U.S. fire experience patterns from best available data sources. From Fire Technology.
All visitors: Download this article for free. (PDF, 483 KB)

All Fired Up—How We Know What We Know About Fire
1998
Cost: Free. 6 pages. Order # PSS45.
Describes how the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data is collected at the local, state and national level, the history of NFIRS and how NFIRS data is used with the NFPA annual survey to develop estimates of specific national fire problems. Limited information is provided on changes coming with Version 5.0 of NFIRS. From NFPA Journal.
All visitors: Download this article for free. (PDF, 493 KB)