About the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Act
The act, signed into law on Oct. 1, 2002, by President Bush, authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish teams to investigate building failures. These authorities are modeled after those of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for investigating transportation accidents. The NCST gives NIST responsibility to dispatch teams of experts, where appropriate and practical, within 48 hours after major building disasters. Under the law, the NIST Director, in consultation with the U.S. Fire Administration and other appropriate federal agencies, maintains a standing advisory committee of as many as 10 persons to advise him or her on carrying out the act, and to review procedures and reports issued. The panel is known as the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Advisory Committee.