CopyofBementWTCMedia Briefing50703

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Progress of World Trade Center Investigation: 

Progress of World Trade Center Investigation Dr. Arden Bement Director National Institute of Standards and Technology U.S. Department of Commerce News Media Briefing May 7, 2003

NIST’s mission: : 

NIST’s mission: Develop and promote measurement, standards, technology Enhance productivity Facilitate trade Improve the quality of life

NIST Structural Investigations: 

NIST Structural Investigations Experienced, world-class investigators Forensic structural scientists Finding facts, improvements for the future

NIST Investigations (cont.): 

NIST Investigations (cont.) Establish probable technical cause Lead to important changes to standards, codes, practices Results given serious consideration

WTC Investigation: 

WTC Investigation Focusing on two WTC Towers and 47-story WTC 7 building Examining: --Why and how the buildings collapsed --Occupant behavior, evacuation, and emergency response --Design, construction, operation, maintenance --Building and fire codes, standards, practices

WTC Investigation (cont.): 

WTC Investigation (cont.) 24 month investigation to be completed August 2004 One part of three-part response. Other parts are: Multi-year R&D program to improve codes, standards, practices Involving industry leaders in change to codes, standards, practices

WTC Response Plan Outcomes: 

WTC Response Plan Outcomes Make buildings safer Enhance safety of fire and emergency responders Better protect occupants and property in future Improve emergency response capabilities and procedures in future

National Construction Safety Team Act: 

National Construction Safety Team Act Modeled after National Transportation Safety Board NIST is the lead investigating agency – --Building performance --Emergency response --Evacuation procedures

NCST Advisory Committee: 

NCST Advisory Committee Ten building and fire experts Selected based on Technical expertise, experience Professional service Knowledge of investigation teams First meeting held April 29, 30

Liaison: 

Liaison Draw on capabilities, expertise, and advice of many groups Provide information – briefings, progress reports, web site Skyscraper Safety Campaign

Liaison (cont.): 

Liaison (cont.) New York authorities, including: --Port Authority of New York and New Jersey --FDNY --NYPD --Department of Buildings --Department of Design and Construction --Office of Emergency Management

Status of Information: 

Status of Information Received considerable cooperation NIST has large amount of information Some important documents still needed

Vital Photography, Video: 

Vital Photography, Video Still need photographic, video images Especially, south side of WTC 7 News media can help by publicizing request and sharing photos, video

Public Safety: 

Public Safety Conducting interviews with: --Occupants --People with disabilities --First responders --People with safety responsibilities --Victims’ family members Interviews to begin this summer

Ways to Help: 

Ways to Help Participate in interviews (occupants, first responders, family members) Provide photos, videos, documents Contact: NIST World Trade Center Investigation Team 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8610 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8610 Email: wtc@nist.gov Fax: (301) 975-6122

Progress Report: 

Progress Report First substantive report, far from complete Fireproofing of floor sections Outlines assessment approach of collapse sequence Fire model validation Plans for floor system testing Updates status of information collection

Bottom Line: 

Bottom Line Make all buildings safer for occupants and first responders.