Fire Research Laboratory
The ATF Fire Research Laboratory (FRL) is the first in the U.S. to provide a variety of services including both on-scene support and remote technical assistance in the fire investigation community.
FRL is an innovative partnership among law enforcement, fire services, public safety agencies, academia and the private sector using advanced scientific, technical, educational and training method s to make ATF and its partners’ leaders in fire investigation science to serve and protect the public.
FRL’s facilities, equipment and staff work on important fire investigation issues such as: fire scene reconstruction; flashover studies; validation of fire pattern analysis indicators; impact of accelerants on fire growth and spread ignition studies and electrical fire cause analysis. All analyses are conducted in support of ATF CFI fire origin and cause determinations.
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
 ATF-LS-3.0 Key Terms and Definitions (254.72 KB) |
The purpose of this document is to define terms used throughout ATF quality documents. It is intended to ensure clarity and consistency of terminology.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-4.11 Corrective Action (403.43 KB) |
This procedure defines authorities and provides Laboratory Services with a mechanism to investigate the cause of nonconformities in the laboratory and to implement, document, and monitor corrective actions.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-4.12 Preventive Action (327.17 KB) |
This procedure provides a mechanism to demonstrate Laboratory Services’ efforts at continual improvement. It provides the structure for implementing, documenting and monitoring proactive preventive actions.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-4.14 Internal Audits (269.94 KB) |
The process of self-evaluation is a valuable management tool. The assessment process and the system review that follows is a means to promote and encourage the quality and efficiency of operations.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-4.15 Management Reviews (281.28 KB) |
This procedure defines authorities and provides Laboratory Services with a framework for conducting a review of the management system.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-4.3 Document Control (293.82 KB) |
This procedure describes how documents related to the objectives of the management system, including those from external sources, are prepared or received, authorized, issued, controlled and kept. This quality procedure also defines how changes are controlled and how obsolete documents are removed from use, archived and/or destroyed in compliance with the requirements of the Quality Manual.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-4.4 Review of requests for laboratory testing (307.15 KB) |
This procedure describes how work is identified, reviewed, and accepted by ATF Laboratories. The procedure also includes the evaluation process that takes place to ensure that Laboratory Services has the required resources to undertake the requested services in accordance with a schedule that meets the needs of the customer(s).
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-4.5 Subcontracting of Tests (249.87 KB) |
To ensure that the subcontracting of test and calibration services is conducted by qualified individuals in a consistent manner using competent subcontractors.
| Quality Manuals |
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ATF-LS-4.6 Purchase and Receipt of Materials That Matter (285.17 KB) |
This procedure establishes a standard system for ensuring the quality of critical, equipment, services, consumables, and supplies used in laboratory analysis.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-4.7 Service to the Customer (259.42 KB) |
This policy is a general statement of ATF Laboratory Services overall commitment to meeting the customer’s requests while at the same time delivering accurate and authoritative scientific information.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-4.9 Control of Nonconforming Work (371.96 KB) |
This procedure outlines the activities and responsibilities involved when any aspect of laboratory operations does not conform to Laboratory Services’ policies or procedures or to accreditation or customer requirements.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-5.10 Reporting the Results of Analysis (317.89 KB) |
This procedure defines the process for reporting analytical findings and conclusions.
| Quality Manuals |
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ATF-LS-5.3 Accommodation and Environmental Conditions (259.13 KB) |
This policy addresses how the laboratory ensures that environmental conditions do not effect test results. | Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-5.4 Test Methods and Method Validation (268.14 KB) |
This procedure establishes a standard system for documenting and maintaining discipline specific methods of analysis. Validation of new or revised methods of analysis assesses the ability of a procedure to reliably obtain accurate results, to determine the conditions under which such results can be obtained and to determine the limitations of the procedure.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-5.9.4A Review of Case Records, Reports, and Notifications (257.74 KB) |
Guidelines for performing technical and administrative reviews including the scope of reviewing, reviewer qualifications, review process and records.
| Quality Manuals |
|
ATF-LS-FRL 1588 Thermocouple Standard Operating Procedures (120.33 KB) |
Standard operating procedures for 1588 thermocouple.
| Fire Research Engineer Testing |
|
ATF-LS-FRL Combustion Calorimeter Standard Operating Procedures (825.63 KB) |
Standard operating procedures for the combustion calorimeter.
| Fire Research Engineer Testing |
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ATF-LS-FRL Digital Cameras Standard Operating Procedures (734.96 KB) |
Standard operating procedures for digital cameras.
| Fire Research Engineer Testing |
|
ATF-LS-FRL Engineering Project File Content (271.78 KB) |
The purpose of this PPG establishes the standard for the structure of Fire Research Laboratory project file jackets.
| Fire Research Engineer Testing |
|
ATF-LS-FRL FireTOSS Calculation Documentation Requirements (256 KB) |
This document lists the requirements for documenting and reviewing calculations that are incorporated into the compiled FireTOSS code that is used by the ATF, Fire Research Laboratory (FRL).
| Fire Research Engineer Testing |