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https://www.nist.gov/el/fire-research-division-73300/flammability-reduction-73304

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Engineering LaboratoryFire Research Division

# Flammability Reduction Group

The Flammability Reduction Group develops, advances, and deploys measurement science to reduce fire hazard of building contents and construction materials. Carries out mission-related measurement science research and services to reduce material ignition probability, fire growth and spread, and environmental impacts; and develop codes and standards for cost-effective, fire-safe building contents and construction materials.

-  Projects 
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## Connect with us

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Measurement Science of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Program

Low Heat Release Upholstered Furniture

Researchers Pin Down PFAS Prevalence in Firefighter Gear

## Staff Spotlight

January 26, 2021**The Flammability Reduction Group within the Fire Research Division (FRD) welcomes Dr. Andrew Maizel and Mr. Mike Heck as Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) researchers.**

## **HIGHLIGHT**

March 31, 2022**Happy Retirement, Cone Calorimeter!**
Credit:

After 40 years in service as a groundbreaking NIST-invented device for measuring the flammability of materials at the lab bench scale, the NIST cone calorimeter is being retired and will be replaced with a commercially produced system modeled on its design. The transition is tentatively scheduled to be completed by the end of the summer of 2022.  Flammability Reduction Group Leader Rick Davis and supervisory librarian Keith Martin are working to see what parts of the original “mother” cone calorimeter could be put on display in the NIST Museum to commemorate the device’s role in advancing the science of fire safety testing.**>>READ MORE**

## News and Updates

### Wear and Tear May Cause Firefighter Gear to Release More ‘Forever Chemicals’

January 16, 2024

### Researchers Pin Down PFAS Prevalence in Firefighter Gear

May 1, 2023

### Scripps National News

February 22, 2022

### Flammability Reduction Group provides virtual seminar on Reducing the Fire Risk of Residential Upholstered Furniture Fires as part of SFPE Member Series

May 24, 2021

### NIST Research Featured in Fire and Materials Journal Special Issue on Furniture Flammability

March 12, 2021

### Mattress Flammability Standard Is a Lifesaver, NIST Report Finds

November 18, 2020

### Remembering Randy Shields

July 27, 2020

### NIST Conducts Full-Scale Experiments to Demonstrate Flammability Risk of Residential Upholstered Furniture (RUF) and Potential Mitigation Strategies

March 12, 2020

View All News and Updates

## Projects and Programs

### Engineered Fire Safe Products

### Low Heat Release Upholstered Furniture

### Fire Risk Reduction in Buildings Program

### Fire Risk Reduction in Communities Program

View All Projects/Programs

## Publications

### Estimating the Impact of 16 CFR Part 1633 on Bed Fire Outcomes

April 28, 2020

Stanley W. GilbertDavid T. ButryRichard G. GannRick D. Davis

### Aqueous-based Amphiphile Solutions Used as Gel Coatings to Reduce Flammability of Cotton Fabrics

July 3, 2019

Andre L. ThompsonRick D. Davis

### Nanocomposite Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries with Reduced Flammability

March 21, 2018

Mauro  Zammarano

### Workshop Report: Research Roadmap for Reducing the Fire Hazard of Materials in the Future

March 8, 2018

Rick D. DavisMauro  ZammaranoNathan D. Marsh

### Effect of ammonium polyphosphate to aluminum hydroxide mass ratio on the properties of wood- flour/polypropylene composites

November 14, 2017

Mauro  Zammarano

### Plant-based flame retardant coatings for flexible polyurethane foam

February 6, 2017

Douglas M. FoxJohn R. ShieldsRick D. Davis

### Interlaboratory Study of an Alternate Substrate for Use in ASTM E 2187

August 11, 2016

Richard G. GannMorgan  BrunsEdward J. HnetkovskyWilliam F. Guthrie

### Smoldering and Flame Resistant Textiles via Conformal Barrier Formation

November 2, 2016

Mauro  ZammaranoShonali  NazareJohn R. ShieldsKathleen M. HoffmanRick D. Davis

View All Publications

## Software

### CFAST

### FDS and Smokeview

View All Software

## Tools and Instruments

### Cone Calorimeter

View All Tools & Instruments

## Awards

### 2021 - Bronze Medal Award---Rick Davis

View All Awards

## Popular Links

                  - Holiday Fire Safety

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301-975-2000

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