NIST News Briefing-Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire

NIST Study on Charleston Furniture Store Fire Calls for National Safety Improvements Major factors contributing to a rapid spread of fire at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2007, included large open spaces with furniture providing high fuel loads, the inward rush of air following the breaking of windows and a lack of sprinklers, according to a draft report released for public comment today by the U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The fire trapped and killed nine firefighters, the highest number of firefighter fatalities in a single event since 9/11. For more info visit: http://www.nist.gov/el/fire_research/...