NBSIR 74-618

US/UK Joint Complementary Research

Program in Building, (Wind Loads, Water

Supply, Fire Detection),

July 1973-June 1974

C. C.Raley

I. A. Benjamin

L. S. Galowin

R. D. Marshall

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

October 1974

Final

U S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

NBSIR 74-618

US/UK JOINT COMPLEMENTARY RESEARCH

PROGRAM IN BUILDING, (WIND LOADS, WATER

SUPPLY, FIRE DETECTION),

JULY 1973-JUNE 1974

C. C. Raley

I. A. Benjamin

L. S. Galowin

R. D. Marshall

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, 0. C. 20234

October 1974

Final

U S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. Rogers C B. Morton. Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS. Richard W. Roberts. Director

TABLE of CONTENTS

Background i

Wind Loads on Buildings 3

Design of Water Supply and Drainage Installations

in Buildings y

Fire Detection in Buildings

Appendices

.

^2

Building Research Establishment

Department of the Environment

Gars ton, Watford, WD2 7JR

UNITED KINGDOM

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

UNITED STATES

BACKGROUND

C. C. RALEY

Coordinator of International Affairs

Center for Building Technology

Institute for ^plied Technology

On July 21, 1971, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Mr. Peter E.

W/VLKER, Secretary of State, Department of the Ijivironment , United Kingdom, and

Mr. George RCMNEY, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development,

United States. It outlined a program for cooperation in matters concerning

urban environment including housing and building technology. The goal of this

program is to achieve the maximum exchange of documents and visits, and it can

be extended to such other activities as expert consultations, long-term exchanges

of professionals, and joint research projects. In carrying out this understanding, the two national coordinators may im ite participation from other

agencies, organizations or private groups within their respective countries.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the Institute for Applied Technology (lAT) , have long been acquainted with each other's work and have had a great deal of interaction. During the March 1971 visit of Dr. F. Karl WILLENBROCK, Director of lAT, with Mr. James B. DICK, Director of BRE, the subject of

a joint program was discussed. With the signing of the memorandum of understanding, irnpetus was given to establishing a formal cooperative program between

BRE and lAT's Center for Building Technology (CBT) . As a result, CBT developed

a number of research proposals which later were reduced to three specific projects by Mr. DICK and Dr. James R. WRIGHT, then Director of CBT.

On July 6, 1972, Mr. Harry E. THOMPSON , as Deputy Director, CBT, met with Mr.

DICK in England to discuss formal inf)lementation of the three projects under

the title of the "Joint Complementary Research Program." This resulted in the

preparation of three documents of agreement; the first two on wind and hydraulics were signed by BRE on July 27 and countersigned by CBT on August 3, 1972.

The third, on fire detection, was signed on September 1 and countersigned on

September 13, 1972. Copies of these documents are attached as appendices to

this report.

During the second year of the program, fire studies were removed from CBT and

consolidated in the Programmatic Center for Fire Research, lAT. Later, Dr. WRIGHT

was appointed Deputy Director of lAT, from which position he continues to monitor US progress. Because of these changes the BRE/CBT program has evolved into

a BRE/IAT program encompassing both Fire Research and Building Technology.

1
At the end of the program's second year, consideration was being given to establishing two additional projects. Heat Punps, and Lighting Standards for Office

Buildings, to coincide with the conclusion of the original projects.

Activities for the prior year are outlined in NBSIR 74-497, "US/UK Joint Complementary Research Program in Buildings (Wind Loads, Water Supply, Fire Detection), July 1972 - June 1973." The current status of the projects is outlined

in the remainder of this report.

2
WIND LOADS on BUILDINGS

R. D. MARSHMi.

Structures Section

Center for Building Technology

Institute for y^lied Technology

INrTRODUCTION

The Center for Building Technology of the National Bureau of Standards and the

Building Research Establishment have for the past two years conducted a joint

conplementary program of research into the effects of wind on buildings.

The primary goals of the program were the timely exchange of experimental data

obtained in both full-scale and wind tunnel model studies, mutual assistance

in the development of measuring techniques and methods of data analysis, and

the exchange of certain pieces of research equipnent. These goals remain essentially unchanged although both sides have initiated wind loads research projects

which were unforeseen at the time this joint complementary program was con- ceived. These include the Post Office Tower Study on the part of BRE and the

AID Philippine Study by NBS. It is anticipated that all the original program

objectives will be conpleted by the end of Fiscal Year 1975.

PROGRESS DURING FISCAL YEAR 1974

The principal items of accomplishment under this project during Fiscal Year

1974 are listed below, followed by a discussion of each item in the order of

tabulation:

(a) Visit to BRE by Dr. R. D. MARSliALL - December 1973;

(b) Installation of electro-optical deflection system in Post

Office Tower and subsequent system modifications;

(c) Transmittal of Post Office Tower structural details to NBS;

(d) Development of ambient pressure probe by MBS and wind tiinnel

and field tests by BRE;

(e) Installation of eaves overhang on Aylesbury test house;

(f) Continuing exchanges of information on instrumentation and

test results, both wind tunnel model and full scale;

(g) Visit to NBS by Mr. J. R. MAYNE - July 1974.

In line with the items for future collaboration identified at the end of Fiscal

Year 1973, Dr. MARSHALL visited the BRE laboratories and field test sites in

December 1973. During the course of this visit, discussions were held with mem- bers of the BRE staff concerning full-scale measurement techniques employed at

the Aylesbury Test site and the analysis of pressure data and environmental wind

data. Of particular interest was the new boundary- layer wind tunnel facility

(then in the final stages of assembly) and the associated data acquisition and

processing system. Discussions were also held with staff members concerning

3
probable and acceptable wind speeds in pedestrian areas and the response of tall

structures to wind forces. A general talk was given to the BRE staff at the

conclusion of this visit which covered ongoing wind loads research at NBS and

two new projects sponsored by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Agency

for International Development (AID)

An important objective of the visit described above was the transfer of the NBS

electro-optical deflection system to BRE and its subsequent installation in the

Post Office Tower in London to monitor both mean and fluctuating deflections.

The tower consists of a circular hollow shaft of reinforced concrete. The shaft

extends 177 m above ground level and has an average diameter of approximately

7 m. Details of the structure and results of previous wind pressure and strain

measurements are presented in BRE report CP 30/73. The tracking telescope was installed in the cable shaft on the fifth floor and the light source was installed

at the level of the middle aerial gallery, approximately 105 m above the telescope.

The system calibration was based on displacements of 5 cm at 91 m on the test

range at NBS. Subsequent atten^ts to calibrate the system in place pointed up

certain problems with both the light source and the circuitry which compensates

for variations in light intensity at the objective lens of the telescope. Working with the second prototype at the NBS, a new light source was developed and

used successfully with a revised compensation circuit. These modifications are currently being made to the system installed in the Post Office Tower. It is

recognized that rotation of the telescope support may be significant and measure- ments of tilt at the level of the fifth floor will be atternpted using 'electrolevels' which are on hand at BRE. In addition to measuring displacement and

rotation, wind speed and direction at the top of the tower and accelerations at

various levels will be recorded. Recording will be accomplished by means of a PEMCO 14-track analog recorder. Data will be converted to digital form for analysis.

Mr. Peter SPARKS of BRE is in charge of the Post Office Tower study.

While full-scale measurements are being carried out on the tower, work is progressing on a theoretical model of the structural response. In line with this,

structural details of the tower hiave been transmitted to NBS for use with existing conputer programs. Wind loads will be based on the measured wind characteristics and pressure coefficients determined during the course of the study

reported in CP 37/71 and CP 30/73.

Attenpts to establish a suitable reference pressure in full-scale studies have

always involved a considerable amount of uncertainty. The scheme used at Aylesbury consists of a chamber just below ground level to which all pressure transducers are referenced. The chamber is covered by a flat plate mounted flush

with the ground surface and is vented to the atJiKDspheie by a 2.5 cm hole in the

plate. The chamber is located in an area which is usually free from wake effects

caused by buildings and other obstructions. Reference pressures for the NBS

studies in Montana, on the other hand, were obtained by means of a pi tot- static

probe mounted on a vane near the level of the ajiemc»neter. Two disadvantages of

the pitot-static probe are clogging of the pressure ports with rainwater and

a negative bias due to overshoot of the vane and the \ertical component of velocity fluctuations. A probe with shielded pressure ports and omnidirectional

characteristics was developed at NBS for use in field studies currently being

carried out in the Philippines. Subsequent tests carried out by BRE staff mem- bers in one of the wind tunnels at the University of Bristol indicated that this

probe registers ambient pressure for pitch angles as high as + 10 degrees. A

conparison has been made with the ground surface technique at Aylesbury and the

4
three installations in the Philippines will provide a test of the probe's performance characteristics under rather difficult environmental conditions.

The e^qjerimental building at Aylesbury was modified in January 1974 by adding a

76 era eaves overhang to the middle third of the roof. This overhang is identical

to that on the first test house at the Great Falls, Montana, field site. Pressure

measurements were taken for this configuration through the month of April and these

records will be analyzed during the autumn of 1974. Test results for the Great

Falls site, both full-scale and wind tunnel model, have been analyzed and published.

In addition to the specific items described above, exchanges continued through

Fiscal Year 1974 on matters concerned with instrumentation, test results and

methods of analysis. At the suggestion of BRE staff members, contact was made

with Clark Masts Ltd. and three portable telescope masts were purchased for use

in the MARAD project on port and harbor facilities. A pneumatically actuated

mast was also purchased for use with the MBS Structures van. Consideration is

being given by BRE to the use of flush- diaphragm transducers developed for the

NBS/AID project in the Philippines. Results of performance tests on these transducers are currently being evaluated by BRE. Exchanges of full-scale test re- sults continued through the year, the usefulness of these exchanges being en- hanced by previous agreement as to methods of analysis and format for presentation of results.

Imnediately following the International Symposium on Full -Scale Measurements on

Tall Buildings and Other Structures, held at the University of Western Ontario,

June 23-29, Mr. John MAYNE of BRE visited MBS. Accomplishments over the past

year and plans for the forthcoming year were discussed. It was agreed that the

exchanges carried out over this past year were highly beneficial to both sides

and that all of the objectives identified for the year had been achieved.

PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1975

Based on the exchanges accomplished over the past two years and the mutual

agreement that June 1975 should be the target data for conpletion of this project, the following items have been identified as technical exchange activities

for Fiscal Year 1975:

(1) Certain analog tapes will be exchanged to verify analog to digital

conversion and SL±>sequent data processing.

(2) Standard averaging times will be adopted for the calculation of

mean reference speeds, and pressure coefficients will be based on

the associated mean dynamic pressures. This will assist with com- parisons of gust factors.

AREAS FOR FUTURE COLLABORATION

As indicated above, the Post Office Tower Study and the AID Philippine Study

were initiated during the course of this joint conplementary program. These

studies will continue to yield vital information on the effects of wind on buildings and other structures after the completion of this current joint program. Much of this information will influence future revisions of the British

Standard Code of Practice and American National Standard A58.1. It is recom- mended, therefore, that the benefits of this program to each side be critically

5
evaluated at the end of Fiscal Year 1975 and that consideration be given to its

extension or, possibly, the initiation of a new joint program. It is hoped that

both Dr. EATON and Mr. SPARKS will visit MBS during Spring 1975 for these discussions with NBS staff. It may be advantageous to consider separate program

areas, one dealing with high-rise buildings and another limited to low- rise

buildings and environmental wind effects.
DESIGN of WATER SUPPLY and DRAINAGE

INSTALLATIONS in BUILDINGS

L. S. GALOWIN

Chief

Building Service Systems Section

Center for Building Technology

Institute for Applied Technology

INTRODUCTION

For a number of years the National Bureau of Standards and the Building ResearcJi

Establishment have both been active in research into water supply and drainage

in buildings. In 1972 it was proposed that a complementary research project

should be started in this field and this was formalized by an agreement betweerji

the Directors of the two establishments. The detailed program of work proposed

on this project was covered in a further document signed by Mr. P. R. ACHENBACri

(NBS), Dr. J. E. SNELL (NBS) and Mr. A. F. E. WISE (BRE) in May 1972. Ihree | distinct items of work were outlined in this document. These items (each discussed

below) are:-

A. Hydraulic design of drainage installations in buildings

B. Design loads for plumbing systems

C. Vacuum drainage systems

A. HYDRAULIC DESIGN OF DRAINAGE INSTALLATIONS IN BUILDINGS

PROGRESS DURING FISCAL YEAR 1974

A presently used criterion for satisfactory performance of gravity drainage systems is that water seals in the fixture traps are maintained under specified

hydraulic loadings. The drain -waste -vent (DW) system function requires that the

sizing, spacing and configurations of drainage and vent piping must handle ex- pected loads producing upsetting pressure fluctuations.

In the United States, two laboratory test projects were to be utilized, one at

NBS, the full-scale typical town house; and the other at the Stevens Institute

of Technology, a ten-story system. These test installations were designed with

vent sizing in accordance with selected US criteria. Performance measurements

are planned to be compared with those predicted by the BRE method utilizing a conputer program. The required inputs for the conputer program include data on

(1) the pneumatic resistance of loaded stack branch fittings; (2) the discharge

rates of the fixtures; (3) the hydraulic load pattern assumed. The joint effort

by NBS and BRE requires particular data on fixture discharge rates obtained by

NBS and data on fitting resistances obtained by HIE.

Detailed drawings and descriptions of two drain-waste -vent systems to be tested

by NBS were sent to BRE and comments were provided on those aspects of design

that BRE work shows are important.

7
BRE has developed a design procedure for the prediction of the maximum suction

and has produced a computer program for the calculations involved. A description of this procedure and a flow chart for the program has been received by

NBS. This design procedure relies on examination of the air flow through the

drainage stacks and, if the resistance to air flow is known at each discharging

branch, the air pressures in the stack are calculated. BRE will measure the

resistance values for 100 mm branch fittings of US design. Sane of these fittings have already arrived at BRE and, once NBS has provided information on

flow rates from water closets of US manufacture, tests will be carried out with

the appropriate branch flows. Information on the test methods, test equipment

and detailed results obtained with UK fittings have been sent to NBS.

The design procedure above has been shown to give satisfactory agreement with

the pressures obtained in various UK buildings. However, the application of

this design procedure is limited since the procedure is based on certain simplified assumptions. An alternative design procedure of wider application has been

developed in which the resistances of the conponents are derived from tests on a conplete system. This design procedure also departs from the assumption of con- tinuous flow and is based on a study of intermittent discharges in existing UK

buildings. A description of this design procedure, together with a flow chart

for the computer program, has been sent to NBS.

Results from tests on the innovative high-rise DWV system at Stevens Institute

of Technology, monitored by NBS, were transmitted to BRE. Satisfactory p>erformance of the system with reduced -size vents (RSV) above the lowest floor level

was obtained. Certain configurations are necessary for the lowest level.

Preliminary tests on a five-story drainage stack explored correlations, under

representative dynamic conditions, between traditional design criteria (air

flow and pressure excursion) and the basic performance criteria (trap- seal

retention, blow back and water rise). The results of the experimental design

compare continuous and transient flow phenomena utilizing different hydraulic

profiles for the same volume of water discharge, that is 'square-wave' versus

'sine-wave' loads.

NBS showed an interest in UK WCs which use a nine litre flush. Six examples of

widely used UK WCs had been sent to NBS together witli a dual flush pan which

can be made to flush only 4.5 litres. Some of these WCs have been provided with

a BRE measured discharge characteristic and it is hoped that a conparison can

be made with corresponding NBS measurements.

PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1975

NBS is to conq)lete and transmit to BRE progress reports on drainage stack dynamics. These tests are to provide correlation between trap- seal reduction/blow

back and trap-arm pressure with transient loading. ITiese include trials comparing

NBS and BRE experimental techniques for measuring pressure drop across loaded

fittings with comparison of effects of transient versus continuous flows. The

conparisons of results using BRE instrumentation in the same test runs in relation

to the measurement of resistance across loaded stack- branch junction fittings are planned. These values are required to adapt the BRE coinputer program for DWV sizing for American systems. Such tests provide insight into the performance characteristics involved in development of computational methods for predicting performance.

8
Discharge characteristics for WCs of US manufacture will be provided by NBS and

using these, BRE will determine resistance values for the 100 mm US fittings.

These results are required for modification of the old BRE design procedure for

US practice. Resistance values for use in the new procedure can only be obtained

in full-scale trials and it is assumed these will be obtained from trials on

the NBS test rig. Both BRE and NBS will use this data in the computer programs

to predict single stack performance. Conparison between measured and computed

performance characteristics for the tests conducted at Stevens Institute and NBS

j are to be made for single stack systems. The NBS reports concerning the Stevens

j Institute test results are expected to be transmitted to BRE by Noveiri^er 1974.

j B. DESIGN LOADS FOR PLUMBING SYSTEMS

PROGRESS DURING FISCAL YEAR 1974

HIE organized a Seminar on water demand in buildings within GIB Ccninission W62

I which included three papers on BRE work and one on work sponsored by BRE. Work

is going on towards the production of two more papers on this subject by BRE.

One covers the estimation of water demand and storage requirements for university laboratories and the other more general paper on the design of water supply

systems for buildings.

PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1975

The two BRE papers on the above subjects will be completed and passed to NBS

and also will be presented at the next meeting of CIB Comnission W62.

C. VACUUM DRAINAGE SYSTEM

There has been no exchange of information on this topic and BRE does not expect

any further developments in the UK during the period of the complementary re- search project.

PLANS FOR PROJECT TERMINATION

TTie three subjects of this complementary research project will continue at different levels of activity in NBS and BRE. The NBS effort on hydraulic design of

drainage installations has been building up during the project. BRE effort, on

the other hand, is now declining in this field since a British Code of Practice

has been drafted covering UK conditions. However, work on other aspects of the

topic is being expanded and work on design loads for i^lumbing systems will continue

at BRE beyond the end of the project.

In view of the above, it is appropriate to concentrate on conpletion of the work

proposals detailed in the agreement between Messrs. AC.'HENBACH, SNELL and WISE.

The objectives should be largely achieved by the time the project is due to end.

It would then be desirable to identify the aspects of work in these fields which

offer most advantage for future conplementary research projects.

9
FIRE DETECTION in BUILDINGS

I. A. BENJAMIN

Associate Director for Fire Technology

Programmatic Center for Fire Research

Institute for Applied Technology

INTRODUCTION

The complen^ntary research program on fire detect ion between NBS and BRE was initiated in July 1972. Work at NBS is on the development of criteria and test

methods for establishing the level of performance of smoke detectors for use

in residential occupancies, the ultimate aim being to reduce the toll of death

and injury from fire in the home. The work in BRE is primarily concerned with

reducing the false alarm rate in fire detectors.

There are about 10 false alarms for every real fire and about one-quarter of

these are believed due to the environmental conditions present at the detector

head. It is possible to reduce the false alarms rate by reducing the detector

sensitivity but fires then tend to be larger when detected. The optimum detector

operating conditions can only be reached if more is known about environmental

factors which may cause false alarms. BRE is embarking on a substantial longterm program of measuring relevant ambient conditions in buildings in the

absence of fire in order to obtain systematic data on the conditions which give

rise to false alarms. This requires constructing special sensing equipment and

data logging equipment which BRE has under development.

Out of this work have arisen the two objectives of the complementary program:

(1) To share knowledge about fire detection by exchange of information

through visitation of personnel between the facilities, correspondence exchange, and

(2) To participate jointly in a program to develop information on environmental conditions conducive to false alarms.

ACCOMPLI SlftEJ^S FOR FISCAL Yim 1974

The principal accomplishments under this progr^mi during Fiscal Year 1974 are listed

below:

(1) Visit to BRE by Mr. I. A. BEN.JAMIN of NBS in October 1973. The complementary fire detection research program was discussed with BRE counterparts at the

Fire Research Station.

(2) Mail exchange of information. BRE supplied NBS with a draft copy of the

proposed European Standard on smoke detectors. In turn, NBS sent BRE copies of

technical memoranda relating to residential smoke detector work at NBS.

(3) Visit by Mr. R. BRIGHT and Mr. R. BUKOWSKI of NBS to BRE in April

1974. The principal contact at BRE was Nh*. BURRY. M;my items relating to

smoke detection were discussed including the status of the NBS development of

performance criteria and specifications for residential smoke detectors and

BRE's development of the ambient conditions monitoring,' packages.

10
PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1975

The program plans for Fiscal Year 1975 envision a continuation of the original

program objectives of exchange of visits and information as well as NBS participation in developing data on ambient environmental conditions conducive to

false alarms. This latter objective is contingent upon receipt by NBS of one

or more ambient conditions monitoring packages. When the monitoring packages are received at NBS, appropriate locations will be selected, the packages installed,

and data collection begun. The data are to be reduced and analyzed at BRE.

RECOMENDED MODIFICATIONS IN PROGRAM SCOPE

Hie objectives should be left unchanged,

following milestones:

Under the second objective add the

(1) Monitoring packages assembled and checked out by BRE

(2) Packages received by NBS

(3) Packages installed, checked and in operation in U.S.

(4) Interim review of acquired data in Fiscal Year 1975

Program report

(5) Completion of one year in place

(6) Transmittal of data to BRE Continuous

(7) Report on final data reduction by BRE

November 1974

December 1974

January 1975

July 1975

January 1976

during period

April 1976

PLANS FOR PROGRAM TERMINATION

A program termination date of one year after receipt and placement of the ambient conditions monitoring packages seems in order. This would allow accumulation of one year of data from US locations to be supplied to BRE for analysis.

The packages could remain in place after the year is over and additional data

collected pr the packages could be moved to another location and data collected

for another year. In either case, the data could be siq)plied to BRE for reduction, but this data reduction by BRE for NBS could continue outside the mechanism

of the complementary program.

When the original program approaches its termination, BRE and the NBS Programmatic Center for Fire Research can investigate the possibility of expanding the

conplementary program efforts in fire through CIB and thus bring more than two

countries into the program. It may be appropriate, at that time, to include

other fire research efforts in addition to fire detection.

USC0MMN8SD<; 11
APPENDICES

Memorandum of Understanding i

Wind Loads on Buildings Agreement ii

Design of Water Supply and Drainage Installations

in Buildings Agreement iv

Fire Detection in Buildings Agreanent vi

Endorsement viii

12
MEM0RANDUP./1 OF UiMDEP.STAr^OiNG

/ Tlws Moiiioraiuliiiii uf Uiulcrst.iuiiiit^ between tlic nc;).ir:titi:iic uf iloii.sing ami Urban ncvclopiuciU

(MUJ)) of die Uiiitcil Sc.iCos .nui ciic I)cp.triiiK'itc ol die Unviioiungat of tlic Uiilud Kinj;iIoi)i oucliiie& a pru^r.iin Tor coo]icr.;tiui) in in.iciers concerning (lie urban cnvirunnicnc Tilling wiliiin llieir COinpcCence, sue!) .is ;iiiysic.i! j>i.iniitn^, nrb^in ni.in.>j-,eiiient, hou>iii^; ani! buiUIin]', Ccclinolop,)', and

coniniunicy dcvelopnienc. Tlic ^o.d uf tliis program is to ucbieve the nia\inuiin cxc'un^c of

experience in spccined snbjcc: areas. Ti.e program will include an organized exchange. of docnnicncs

and visits and may bo extended as mutually agreed to sucit other activities as expert consultations,

the long-term exchange of scnoiars and pro.^esiionals, or joint research projcctr. In carrying out

specific activities u.ider this Memorandum of Understanding, the Department of Housing and Urban

Development may invite participation 'oy other U.S. dcparcnients ...id .igencies or private groups; the Department of the Environment may similarly ij;vitc participation by other agencies and organizations

in the United Kingdom.

The general subject areas for initial cooperation may include, but are not limited to, community and

regional planning, construction tccitnology, housing managcmen: a. id financing, citizen participation,

program evaluation techniques, policy and legislation. These ^i-Ji^-'r-'I subject are.is may be expanded,

added to, or modified by mutual agreement. Further ditcusj.ons and cxcliange of correspondence will further define these general arc.ts, and it is specifically envisaged that joint projects of mutual

interest, when proposed by either side and accepted by the ether, v*. til be undertaken.

The program will begin with the early exchange of views on :!io establishment of a mutually

acceptable program. Thii first exchange will fjrtlicr define the intcrusts of each country in the other's

specific programs and legislation. Visits of experts and tennis may oe niaJc thereafter without regard

to reciprocity at the option of the visiting agency and subject to ..rr.ingements with the host agency. Each side will bear its own travel and related living costs ui.der the program.

It is understood that the pace of the program outlined in this Meniorandum of Understanding will be

contingent upon the availability of funds and other resources on e.<ch side.

This Memorandum of Understanding will become effective when s; ;,i.ed by autliorized representatives

of the Department of Housing and Urban Development of the United States and the Department of

tho Environment of the United Kingdom and will remain in effect for five years. It may be renewed

by mutual agreement, and may be terminated a: any time by cither p:ir:y on thirty days' notice.

U. S. D^-^Ir^rnent of-Ik><^ng and . .l/TlC. Department of the Urb^ljjH)evclopmenty/^ ^ ^ ' lIny»ronment^

Peter E. Walker

Secretary of State

Signed in Londoiy^ie day of July 1971.
BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABUSHMENT (DOE/ UK)

AND CENTER FOR BUILDING TECHNOLOGY (NBS/USA)

JOINT COMPLEMENTARY RESEARCH PROGRAM(ME) *

Project title: Wind Loads on Buildings

Project outline: Revised criteria and standards are required for the design

of buildings for wind loading. Research in this area is also essential for the

proper installation of materials, the cost of construction and protection of

the user. Research will be carried out on buildings in low density and builtup areas. Both laboratories have worked on this subject and have common

research objectives. In each case the basic requirement is to establish the

validity of using wind tunnel studies for design by comparing wind tunnel data

with measurements made on full-scale structure.-.. Each laboratory hcs

several full-scale experiments on hand and the scope for joint research is

substantial.

Also, both laboi-alories have acquired or developed unique instrumentation

and equipment for their research work. Sharing asage and experience in

development of instrumentation and equipment will expedite results ahd

provide more comprehensive research to both countries.

Working arrangements: Directors have agreed tc> nominate officers who will

be responsible for developing and progressing thi joint programme. This

project will be initiated on 1 August 1972 and will be reviewed on 30 June of

each year by each Director for continuation or revision of the project outline.

It is expected that the project will be completed by July 1975. The manpower,

funding and equipment necessary to conduct the complementary research will

be provided by each organisation. Exchange visits by personnel are essential

and will be encouraged.

* Initiated in response to the Memorandum of Understanding betv/een

Mr George Romney, Secretary US Department of Housing and Urban

Development and Mr Peter Walker, Socretars of State, UK Department

of the Environment d.ited July 1971
LIAISON OFFICERS NOMINATED BY DIRECTORS:

Dr J B Menzies

(Building Research Establishment)

Dr Richard Marshall

(Center for Building Technology)

DIRECTOR

/

DIRECTOR

BUILDING RESEARCH

ESTABUSHMENT

C}:NTER FOR BUILDIN?

TECHNOLOGY

Dated....^"..^..1^.1?. Dated.

111
BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT (DOE/ UK)

AND CENTER FOR BUILDING TECHNOLOGY (NBS/USA)

JOINT COMPLEMENTARY RESEARCH PROGRAM(ME) *

Project title: Design of Water Supply and Drainage Installations in Buildings

Project outline: A sound method is required for the design of conventional

drainage systems in buildings. Both laboratories have worked on this subject

to provide theory and data. BRE has found it possible to develop and gain

application in the UK of a simplified system - single stack drainage - that is

now beginning to be applied in the USA. A computer program is available at

BRE for sizing drainage and vent stacks on traditional as well as single stack

systems.

Its adaptation for American conditions requires the determination of some

further data on certain parameters by laboratory research. Once this

information is available the computer program would be modified and applied

to design installations for trials in USA, for example, on Operation

BREAKTHROUGH sites.

The CBT has been developing empirical methods for determining the air

demands of plumbing systems based on laboratory studies of reduced sized . venting systems. This work will provide a basis for review and analysis of

the BRL computer program.

The CBT has a new laboratory and field data collection facility offering the

means for collecting many of the data needed in this program for fixtures,

fittings and for drainage systems up to seven storeys in height. A ten-storey

facility sponsored by HUD is currently under construction, this is designed to

test the performance of alternative drainage system designs.

Both for water supply and drainage, sound theoretical framework and adequate

field data are necessary for the specification of design loads and water storage

requirements. Current procedures rely on a fixture unit method which has been

__i . . .— , * Initiated in response to the Memorandum of Understancing between

Mr George Romney, Secretary US Department of Housing and Urban

Development and Mr Peter Walker, Secretary of State, UK Department

of the Environment dated July 1971

iv
useful but is not rigorous and is known to lead to overdesign. Some research

on the subject has been done in recent years to provide a sounder basis and

this needs developing and extending for general use. BRE is organising an

international seminar (on behalf of CIB Commission 62) in September 1972

to review this subject and discuss research needs. It is intended that this

seminar will provide a basis for identifying priorities for collaborative

research into this problem between BRE and CBT. It is expected that even

though US and UK use quite different fittings and fixtures, a common

theoretical framework may emerge for demand estimation and also for field

test and measurement technology.

Working arrangements: Directors have agreed to nominate officers who will

be responsible for developing and progressing the joint programme. This

project will be initiated on 1 August 1972 and will be reviewed on 30 June of

each year by each Director for continuation or revision of the project outline.

It is expected that the project will be completed by July 1975. The manpower,

funding and equipment necessary to conduct the complementary research will

be provided by each organisation. Exchange visits by personnel are essential

and will be encouraged.

LIAISON OFFICERS NOMINATED BY DIRECTORS:

Mr C J D Webster

(Building Research Establishment) (Center for Building Technology)

Dr J E Snell

DIRECTOR DIRECTOR

BUILDING RESEARCH

. ESTABLISHMENT

CENTER FOR BUILDING

TECHNOLOGY

Dated. . . Dated . V

v
BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT (DOE/UK)

AND CENTER FOR BUILDING TECHNOLOGY (NBS/USA)

JOINT COMPLEMENTARY RESEARCH PROGRAM{ME)«

Project title: Fire Detection in Buildings

Project outline: The development of criteria and test methods for establishing

the level of performance of fire detectors is required for various types of

building. Each year lives are lost and there is much property damage because

of the lack of good fire detection systems in buildings. Both laboratories have

worked in this area and have some common research objectives.

The work at CBT has been particularly concerned with detectors for use in the

home. This CBT work is directed to detecting smoke and products of combustion

from fires at a lower level of intensity than would be required for industrial

systems.

The ERE has been concerned with defining how sensitive a detector system

must be in order to do its job, and also how insensitive it must be to'prevent

too many false alarms occurring. As part of the pi'ogramme BRE is embarking

on a substantial long term programme of measuring relevant ambient conditions

in buildings in the absence of fire in order to obtain systematic information on

the conditions wliich give rise to false alarms. This requires the development of

special sensing and data logging equipment.

Co-operation between laboratories will be achieved by close communication

specifically on the CBT work on detectors for domestic use and the BRE work

on the monitoring of ambient conditions since both countries have a deep interest

in both programmes.

* Initiated in r esponse to the Memorandum of Understanding between

Mr George Romney, Secretary, US Department of Housing and Urban

Development and Mr Peter Walker, Secretary of State, UK Department

of the Environment dated July 1971.

vi
Working arrangements: Directors have agreed to nominate officers who will

be responsible for developing and progressing the joint programme. This

project will be initiated on 1 September 1972 and will be reviewed on 30 June

of each year by each Director for continuation or revision of the project

outline. It is expected that the project will be completed by July 1975. The

manpower, funding and equipment necessary to conduct the complementary

research will be provided by each organisation. Exchange visits by personnel

are essential and will be encouraged.

LIAISON OFFICERS NOMINATED BY DIRECTORS:

Mr P E Burry

(Building Research Establishment)

Mr Irwin Benjamin

(Center for Building Technology)

DIRECTOR DIRECTOR

BUILDIMG RESEARCH

ESTABLISHMENT

CENTER FOR BUILDING

TECHNOLOGY

vii
ENDORSEMEm"

BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT (DOE/UK)

INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED TEQINOLOGY (NBS/USA)

JOINT CatPLEMENTTARY RESEARCH PROGRAM(ME)*

Project title: Design of Water Supply and Drainage Installations

in Buildings

Dr. L. S. Galowin is herein nominated to act as the Liaison Officer for

the Institute for Applied Technology in conjunction with the above

mentioned Program. Mr. C. J. D. Webster will continue to serve in his

capacity as Liaison Officer in the Building Research Establishment as outlined in the original agreement.

/

cJ. B. DICK

DIRECTOR

BUILDING RESEARCH

ESTABLISHMEm'

Dated,.,%'C:.jv-i^..}?.lk

J. R. WRIOfT

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED

T1EaM)L0GY

Dated..^f'./^..^rA/^?>r.

Initiated in response to the Memorandum of Understanding between

Mr. George Romnev, Secretary, US Department of Housing and Urban

Development, and Mr. Peter Walker, Secretary of State, UK Department of the Environment, dated July 1971.

viii
NBS-114A (REV 7 73)

l"" U.S. DEPT. OF COMM.

. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. I'l HI.K AIION (iK Rl POK 1 NO.

NBSIR 74-618

2. Cidv 'i Ai 1 ( s s 1 ,)n .No. 3. Rit ipicnt's Accession No.

4. Tl I Li-; AND Sl'in i l 1.1.

US/UK Joint Complementary Research Program in Building,

(Wind Loads, Water Supply, Fire Detection),

July 1973 - June 1974

5. Publication Date October 1974

6. Performing Organization Code

7. AU rHOR(S)

1 C. C- Rfllpv. I. A. Beniamin. L. S. Galowin. R. D. Mar«;han

1. Performing Organ. Report No. NBSIR 74-618

! 9. PERFORMlN(i ()R(,AN IZATION NAMh AND ADDRKS.S

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON. O.C. 20234

10. Pro)ect/Task/Work Unit No. 4633104

11. Contract /Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Ori. in izat ion Name and ' omplctt Address (Slrtrrt, City, State, ZIP)

1

-

same as item 9.

13. Type of Report Si Period Covered Jjj^y 1973.

Final June 1974

1 4» •'^pon s or in ^ fn c y Code

15. SUFPl.K.MEN I ARY NO I KS

16. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less tactual summary ol most si/jpilnant information. If document includes a significant

bibliograf^y or literature survey, mention it here.)

This is a status report of the progress achieved under the "Joint Complementary

Research Program" sponsored by the Building Research Establishment (UK) and the

Institute for Applied Technology (US), during the period July 1973 through June

1974. The program includes three projects: Wind Loads on Buildings, Design of

Water Supply and Drainage Installations in Buildings, and Fire Detection in

Buildings, each of which is discussed in the report.

17. KKY WORDS (vix to twelve entrifs, alphabetical order, capitalirr only the /irsr letter of die first key word unless a proper name; separat- d by semicolons

Building technology; cooperation; fire s»fety; hydraulics; wind loads.

18. AVAILAIUI.I 1 Y ;X UnhiMied 19. SKf JJRlTY CLASS

(THIS REPORT)

21. NO. OF PAGES

( Kor Offici.il Distribution. Do Not Release to N l K

UNCI. ASSIFIED

23

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(THIS PAGE)

22, Price

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