Title 15, Commerce and TradeRelease 119-102
§281a Structural Failures
Title 15 › CHAPTER 7 — NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY › § 281a
Summary
NIST may look into structural failures in buildings used by the public, but only after consulting local officials. Reports from those investigations, or from investigations under the National Construction Safety Team Act, can't be used as evidence in lawsuits for damages.
Full Legal Text
Title 15, §281a
Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, on its own initiative but only after consultation with local authorities, may initiate and conduct investigations to determine the causes of structural failures in structures which are used or occupied by the general public. No part of any report resulting from such investigation, or from an investigation under the National Construction Safety Team Act [15 U.S.C. 7301 et seq.], shall be admitted as evidence or used in any suit or action for damages arising out of any matter mentioned in such report.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The National
Construction
Safety Team Act, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 107–231, Oct. 1, 2002, 116 Stat. 1471, which is classified generally to chapter 99 [§ 7301 et seq.] of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 7301 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was not enacted as part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
2002—Pub. L. 107–231 inserted “, or from an investigation under the National
Construction
Safety Team Act,” after “from such investigation”. 1988—Pub. L. 100–418 substituted “National Institute of Standards and Technology” for “National Bureau of Standards”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 281a
Title 15, Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102