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Fire

Fire detection

Since the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 was passed, annual U.S. fire fatalities have decreased by more than 50%. NIST’s fire research has played a crucial role in saving thousands of lives annually. Find out more about 50 years of fire safety advances thanks to NIST's work.

News and Updates

An explosion of sparks shoots upward at a 45 degree angle from a AA lithium battery clamped into place. The explosion takes place in a laboratory surrounded by safety and measurement equipment.

AI Can ‘Hear’ When a Lithium Battery Is About to Catch Fire

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Side view of a woman wearing safety glasses, ear protection, and a blue lab coat. With one hand, she is holding a stainless steel frying pan over an electric stove. With her other hand, she is using a spatula to prod bacon in the pan. The room is smoky.

New Smoke Alarms Are Better at Detecting Fires but Still Beep for Bacon

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A fireball rushes out of the opening of a small metal compartment in a concrete room.

A Machine Learning-Based Solution Could Help Firefighters Circumvent Deadly Backdrafts

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Featured Videos

Smoke Alarm vs. Bacon

Smoke Alarm vs. Bacon

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