Birky Named
Dr. Merritt Birky, head of the National Bureau of Standards Combustion toxicology research division, has been named director of research at the Foundation for Fire Safety.
Birky, a recognized authority on combustion toxicology, received the NBS award for special achievement for his part in the investigation of the MGM Grand Hotel fire. He is chairman of the task group on smoke toxicology protocol and the United States representative to the International Standards Organization panel on toxic hazards due to smoke.
Birky will be responsible for expanding the foundation’s scientific studies in fire toxicology, assessing overall hazards of burning materials, and will keep fire fighters and the public informed on toxicity risks.
