Property Insurance Research Group

The Property Insurance Research Group (the "PIRG") was formed in 2010 to support the mission and activities of the Foundation by:

• providing a forum for interested members of the property insurance industry to discuss industry-relevant fire protection issues and identify related research needs that could be met through research projects conducted by the Foundation.
• providing a continuing mechanism to recommend research projects to the Foundation and to provide, through a fund consisting of member contributions (the "PIRG Fund"), financial support for PIRG-recommended projects undertaken by the Foundation.

Statement of purpose (PDF, 176 KB)

Members of the Property Insurance research Group

• AIG
• CNA Insurance
• FM Global
• The Hartford
• Travelers Insurance
• Verisk
• Zurich Insurance Group

PIRG Project Portfolio

Current projects

• Review of Oxygen Reduction Systems for Warehouse Storage Applications - Phase 2
• Update of Fire Hazards of Exterior Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components
  
• PV Systems and Fire – Phase 2
• Guidance for Fire Service on Managing Fire Events in Protected Properties
• Impact of Elevated Walkways and Open Metal Grates in Storage Arrays
  
• Tall Wood Buildings – Repair

Completed projects

• Impact of Elevated Walkways in Storage on Sprinkler Protection - Phase 1 (2020)
• Sloped Ceiling and Sprinkler Performance – Phase 3 (2020)
• Guidance on Protection of Green Buildings Update (2020)
• ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions – Phase 4 (2020)
• Sprinkler Protection of Li-Ion Based Energy Storage Systems (2019)
• Review of Oxygen Reduction Systems for Warehouse Storage Applications (2018)
• Fire Safety Challenges of Tall Wood Buildings - Phase 2 (2018)
• Storage Protection in the Presence of Horizontal Barriers or Solid Shelving – Literature Review (2017)
• Sloped Ceilings and Sprinkler Performance Phase 2 (2017)
• Fire Safety Challenges of Tall Wood Buildings – Phase 2 (2016)
• ESFR sprinklers and obstructions – Phase 3 (2016) 
• Lithium Ion Batteries Hazard and Use Assessment  (2016) 
• Development of Fire Mitigation Solutions for Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Installed on Building Roofs (2016)
• Sloped Ceilings and Sprinkler Performance Phase I (2016)
• ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions Phase II (2015)
• Obstructions and ESFR Sprinklers (2014)
• Property Insurance Research Group Forum on PV Panel Fire Risk (2014)
• Exterior Wall Assemblies Fire Hazards (2014)
• Commercial Roof-Mounted Photovoltaic System Installation Best Practices Review and All Hazard Assessment (2014)
• IBC Education Program (2014)
• Protection of Exposed Expanded Group A Plastics* (2014)
• Lithium Ion Batteries Flammability Characterization (2013)
• Fire Safety Challenges of Tall Wood Buildings (2013)
• Lithium Ion Batteries Hazard and Use Assessment (2011)

For the reports below, please download from the NFPA Library Catalog.

• Fire Protection Requirements for Empty IBCS (2012)
• Assessment of Hazards and Protection Schemes of Flammable and Combustible Liquids in IBCs in Operation Phase II (2012)
• Fire Performance of IBCs with Aqueous Solutions of Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Phase I (2012)*
• Sprinkler Hanging and Bracing Performance in Earthquakes Literature Review (2012)
• Fire Safety Challenges of Green Buildings (2012)
• HVLS Fans and Sprinkler Operation (2011)
• Assessment of Hazards of Flammable and Combustible Liquids in IBCs in Operation Phase I (2011)

Other projects of interest

• Airflow and Sprinkler Interaction
• Combustible Exterior Walls – Phase 2
• Corrosion of Sprinkler Pipe
• ESFR Sprinkler and Obstructions – Miscellaneous Obstructions
• Exposed Expanded Group A Plastics – Additional Aisle Widths
• Fire Protection for Dense Storage Automatic Storage Retrieval Systems (ASRS)
• Hanging Garment Protection
• High Clearance Sprinkler Protection over Factory Operations
• Protection of Open Top Containers
• Tall Wood Buildings – Connections
• Tall Wood Buildings – Penetrations
• Horizontal Features in Storage – Phase 2

* Project led by other organizations with participation from the PIRG

For more information please contact Amanda Kimball.