In the summer, there are family barbecues on the deck of the conference center that was once two old farmhouses. A recreation committee is raising funds to build a PAR course. Those that don't, leave. The focus of experimental research in several areas of structural engineering. Much of the research conducted over the years has resulted in significant improvement in building codes.
Modern equipment includes an experimental facility for debris-flow studies.
Soil Mechanics and Bituminous Materials Laboratory Research at this lab has been directed toward the behavior of soils, granular materials, stabilized materials and asphalt paving mixtures in a range of loading and environmental conditions. Fire Research Laboratory Berkeley has a long history of fire research and testing, which began in the mid-1940s. Administered by the Forest Products Laboratory, the facility provides space for investigation and evaluation of materials and assemblies used in construction and in transit vehicles. The lab has evaluated the flammability of seats for BART and major U.S. airlines. The only institution in the state dedicated to forest products research and education.