Standards and Metrics Research

PATH anticipated a need for major studies to judge the capacities and characteristics of housing technologies and established a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop methods of evaluation. NIST is recognized as a worldwide, leading measurements and standards institution with a mission to develop and promote measurement, standards, and technology.

NIST's Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) is a central repository for information on the construction and building (C&B) industry. The BFRL's work focuses on four categories: advanced construction technology; enhanced building performance; fire loss reduction; and high performance building materials. As such, BFRL was identified as the best resource for developing standards and metrics for housing technology areas. The following programs are administered by BFRL: BEES, PATH-D, and PATHCoRP.

NIST played a major role in the creation of PATH, notably in organizing the National Construction Goals by spearheading the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Construction and Building (C&B;).

Content updated on 5/19/2009