• Management of research and development programs in the fire safety area.
• Assistance to manufacturers with fire test standards and requirements.
• Development of code change proposals and technical backups for variance requests.
• Fire hazard analyses.
• Assistance to exporters and importers with foreign fire safety requirements.
• Assessments of product combustion toxicity and corrosivity.
• Computer fire modeling.
• Scientific analyses of fire behavior in connection with reconstruction of fire incidents.
• Assessments of effectiveness of fire retardancy and of fire performance of plastics and composites.
• Development of new fire safety design concepts for unusual applications.
• Training seminars, lectures, custom-designed educational offerings.

Developed the first-ever U.S. computer fire model (COMPF) in 1975.

Invented the Cone Calorimeter, which is now an ASTM standard (E 1354) and has been adopted by many countries and by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 5660). This was the first fire test method to be awarded the prestigious R&D 100 award.

Invented the furniture calorimeter. This has formed the basis for the current-day standard practice in measuring the heat release rate of furniture and other commodities. It is referenced in numerous ASTM, UL and foreign standards.

Developed procedures which led to the first comprehensive, systematic fire hazard analysis to be conducted, based on full-scale and bench-scale testing (for FRCA).

Pioneering technical leadership in quantifying furniture flammability and its measurement. This was described in a NIST monograph. More recently, provided extensive technical guidance to the European CBUF research program, which was completed in 1995 by a consortium of 11 laboratories. This has led to a new generation of furniture fire models.

Developed the first standard for the exchange of fire test data in computer file form (FDMS). This is now being used by a number of laboratories, instrument manufacturers, and fire models.

Extensive experience with International Standards, serving as a U.S. Assigned Expert. Also, U.S. Technical Representative to the ongoing Japanese program leading towards the development of a performance-based building code for Japan.

Produced the first comprehensive state-of-the-art assessment of flammability test methods for electric wire and cable (for NEMA).

Invented the laser smoke photometer, now commonly used in bench-scale, intermediate scale, and large-scale fire tests.

Headed the NIST team to develop a new-generation fire toxicity test. Developed the technology for the necessary CO predictions in order to extend test applicability to post-flashover fires.