Dr. S. Shyam Sunder

Lead Investigator

Deputy Director, Building and Fire Resea

National Institute of Standards and T

U.S. Department of Commer

NIST Response to the World Trade Ce

Federal Building and Fire Safety Inv

of 

the World Trade Center Disas

Public Comment Process

September 12, 2005
Submission Process for Public Co

Submission Process for Public Co

 NIST released the draft WTC Towers report and 

draft reports on June 23, 2005 for public comme

 Six week period for public comment; all commen

August 4, 2005.

 Comments encouraged on the WTC Towers Rep

on all reports.

 NIST requested comments be specific in nature 

recommendations for change.

 Comments were accepted via web site, e-mail, fa

mail.
Summary of Comments Received Summary of Comments Received

Total number of submissions: 469Number of Organizations Responding: 22Number of Individuals Responding: 58 Nearly all major building and fire safety orga

submitted comments: (e.g., ICC, NFPA, ASNCSEA, PCA, AIA, BOMA, ACI, NASFM, AFAMCBO, CRSI, UL, ASTM, SPI, NFSA, NRM
Appreciation Appreciation

 NIST appreciates the desire of organizations and 

state their positions on the draft WTC Reports.

 NIST was gratified by the industry interest in the 

Investigation and our findings and recommendatquality and quantity of the comments received.

 Many of the pros and cons of issues raised in the 

been debated by the NIST team and already confindings and recommendations contained in the d

 The comments have resulted in a wealth of infor

that will guide not only follow-on work by NIST, bon work of the standards and codes organizationorganizations, and academic researchers. 
Process for Consideration of Com

Process for Consideration of Com

 All comments received were organized into two b

distributed to the WTC Investigation team for reviconsideration.

 Project leaders from the WTC Investigation team 

comments received and made extensive clarificatchanges based on the comments received.

 NIST is producing the final reports incorporating t

and editorial changes.

 The final repor

ts on the WTC towers will be poste

September or early October 2005 on the NIST wehttp://wtc.nist.gov

 NIST will post all of the public comments received 

the same time. 
Selected Statements on WTC Inves

Selected Statements on WTC Inve

International Code Council

“The ICC would like to commend NIST and its subcontr

actors 

thoroughness of its reports. The level of effort, c

omplexity of is

presentation, thoroughness and professionalism, associated wreports is commendable and well represents to others in the U

technical and management capabilities and expertise of the Usectors.”

National Fire Protection Association

“The level of effort, study, analysis, and examination of both thSeptember 11, 2001 as well as the circumstances that NIST h

for because of a lack of visual or physical evidence is notable “...The quality, quantity, and depth of information provided in tindicative of the resources, both human and financial, that NIS

effort. By this example, NIST has also set a high standard of pof such building loss investigations. The WTC Study is unprecscientific resources and talent that NIST has at its disposal.”
Selected Statements on WTC Inves

Selected Statements on WTC Inve

American Institute of Architects

“The AIA cannot overstate the accomplishments of the NIST the substantial body of information they gathered and analyz

the worst catastrophes in American history. The r

esults are 

largest and most devastating building disasters ever.”

National Association of State Fire Marshals

“In general, NASFM regards the National Construction Safetreport as an exceptionally thorough, balanced and actionable serve as a blueprint for those with the legal authority and mothat all buildings are constructed in ways that do not unnecescivilians or responders.”