Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

Building Data Recor

Black Boxes for Buildings

An Introduction to BDR Tech

(protected by US Patents 5,680,329 and 5,950,150)

Presented to 

Technical Conference on the Federal Building and 

Investigation of the World Trade Center Dis

National Institute of Standards and Technol

Gaithersburg, Maryland

September 13-15, 2005
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

"Our failure has not been in writi

developing of fire codes but in oto ensure code compliance."

Bill Manning, Editor

Fire Engineering Ma

Volume: 149 Issue: 

June 1996
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

Why is there a need fo

Building Data Recorde

• No way to measure Fire/Life safety system • No offsite storage for Fire/Life safety relate• Lack of manpower to enforce code complia
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

What is a Building Data R

A “Black Box” for buildings. A proactive system se

independent 3rd-party that quantifies the performancentire Fire/Life safety system. Based on this, the stareadiness and degree of code compliance can be det

Good -- Determines what went wronBetter -- Determines what is wrongBest -- Determines what will go wr

All Fire/Life safety systems are monitored

- Sprinkler - Dust/Particle - Can in- Fire Alarm - Chem/Bio system- Elevator Recall - Smoke Evac
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

How does a Building Data R

work?

• A system of sensors “on top of” existing inf

– Wireless– Mesh networks– Zigbee

• On site data collection• Real time data transmission• Off site data storage and analysis• Real time notification of Fire/Life safety sy
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

Who can make the Buildi

Recorder happen?

• Consortium of Interested Parties

- Building Owners/Managers - Insurance compan- Fire Protection companies - Fire Safety Organ- Code Promulgators - Enforcement Enti- State and Federal Govt. - Other interested p

• Develop an industry standard for Building D

implementation

– IEEE 1616 “Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorde
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

When can Building Data R

become a reality?

• Planes have have Black Boxes

– Ships have Black Boxes– Cars have Black Boxes

• Building are next• BDRs can be implemented immediately-all 

is here now

– Internet, sensors, computers, databases, etc. all e
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

Meeting the Need

National Construction Safety Team Act (P

– NCST teams are modeled after the National Tra

Board (NTSB) teams that investigate airline cra

– NTSB teams look for “black boxes” - Flight Dat

(Cockpit) Data Recorder

– NCST teams have no “black box for buildings” 

determine the cause of building failures

– BDRs will provide the forensics for building fire 
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

Meeting the Need

Building Data Records can contribute to im

the following WTC recommendations:

Recommendation 13. NIST recommends that fire alarm and communications syst

developed to provide continuous, reliable, and accurate information on the status of li

detail sufficient to manage the evacuation process in building fire emergencies, and thperformance be developed.

Recommendation 14. NIST recommends that control panels at fire/emergency co

should be adapted to accept and interpret a larger quantity of more reliable information 

systems that provide tactical decision aids to fireground commanders, including water flow measurement devices, and that standards for their performance be developed.

Recommendation 15. NIST recommends that systems should be developed and im

off-site secure transmission of valuable information from fire alarm and other monitoemergency responders, at any location, to enhance situational awareness and response 

and efficient operations; and (2) preservation of that information either off-site or in a fire or other building failure for purposes of subsequent investigations and analysis. Sof such systems should be developed, and their use should be required. 
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

Meeting the Need

Building Data Records can contribute to im

the following WTC recommendations:

Recommendation 25. Nongovernmental and quasi-governmental entities that own 

subject to building and fire safety code requirements of any governmental jurisdiction about the safety of the building occupants and the responding emergency personnel. Nentities should be encouraged to provide a level of safety that equals or exceeds the leprovided by strict compliance with the code requirements of an appropriate governmebroad public confidence in the safety of such buildings, NIST further recommends thadesigned and as-built safety be certified by a qualified third party, independent of the should not use self-approval for code enforcement in areas including interpretation of approval, product acceptance, certification of the final construction, and post-occupanthe buildings.

Recommendation 27. NIST recommends that building codes should incorporate a 

building owners to retain documents, including supporting calculations and test data, construction, maintenance and modifications over the entire life of the building. Meaoffsite storage and maintenance of the documents. In addition, NIST recommends thashould be made available in suitably designed hard copy or electronic format for use bSuch information should be easily accessible by responders during emergencies.
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

For Further Informati

Kori Technology Group

John P. Couch

john@koritech.com

Steven J. Lloyd

steve@koritech.com

www.koritech.

com
Copyright Kori Technology Group 

1999-2005

Short Biographie

John P. Couch• 18 years with U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplo

serving as a Security Engineering Officer. Currently, the Technology Operations - South America

• Batchelor of Electrical Engineering, Villanova University• Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering, Georgia TecSteven J. Lloyd• 20 years in the fire sprinkler/fire alarm trade• 4 years with U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overse

Operations, serving as their first-ever Fire Sprinkler Tech