4th Annual NIH Conference on the
Science of Dissemination and Implementation:
Policy and Practice
March 21-22, 2011
NIH Sponsored Training on
Impact Evaluation Using Randomized Trials
In Partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab
About the Workshop
Rigorous impact evaluation is a critical ingredient in evidence-based policy. Within the health sector, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered standard practice in clinical research. However, evaluation of programs and policies to implement large-scale health interventions tend to be far less rigorous. Much of this is due to the fact that researchers, health practitioners and policymakers are sometimes unsure of how to reconcile the rigor of clinical trials with the uncontrolled diversity of the field, particularly when operating in a developing country context. Political, logistical and ethical constraints can often make the ideal research design appear infeasible.
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a network of empirical research economists who specialize in international development and have acquired substantial expertise running randomized evaluations in such settings. Researchers in the J-PAL network have adapted the driving characteristic of RCTs– randomization of the treatment — to test the effectiveness of health programs and policies in what are often difficult environments.
J-PAL, in partnership with the NIH, is offering a workshop on how to incorporate rigorous impact evaluation methodologies into operations and implementation research (OR/IR). J-PAL researchers will share their experience evaluating programs on HIV/AIDS, immunization, maternal health, reproductive health, human resources for health and mobile health technologies. Using these case studies, they will cover the research design and implementation considerations necessary to conduct randomized evaluations. Through this workshop, participants will acquire many of the tools and lessons necessary to implement rigorous impact evaluations in a number of contexts and over a range of global health issues.
Participants should be researchers, clinicians, or senior program managers with a Masters, PhD, or equivalent who are interested in implementation research. Some research background expected. Participants may come prepared with the details of a clinical or public health program/intervention that they are interested in studying, including the setting, context, and the size and characteristics of the target population.
Sponsors
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
John E. Fogarty International Center (FIC)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)
Departmental Procedures & Guidelines for Inspections, Certifications, Load Testing, Repairs & Painting of Fire Escapes
Inspections by Structural Engineers, Fire Escape Engineers or others acceptable to the Official:
In layman’s terms, the city official is looking for a registered structural engineer or others qualified and acceptable by the Fire/Code Official to do a Critical Examination in lieu of a Live Load Test (criteria submitted or discussed prior to inspection) and issues written verification and certification that all connections are free of internal rust or rot as well as all original hardware (square head bolts or rivet) are reinforced and or replaced in lieu of Live Load Test. All supports (thru-bolts or cemented) into the wall must be verified and certified in lieu of Live Load Test. A fire escape confidence test and tag must be submitted if fire escape passed. The report with photos identifying violations for repairs must include repair criteria submitted to the official for repair vendor to use as a guide during and with engineer oversight of permitted repairs. A Fire Escape Confidence Test and tags identifying certified condition are then submitted. Recommended cycle for live load testing is 20 yrs after total refurbishment or as required by official.
Repairs by Ornamental Ironworkers, Welding Companies or others acceptable to the Official:
In layman’s terms, the city official is looking for a qualified licensed repair vendor to do all work under repair permit (if required) with engineer oversight of repair criteria submitted for approval to the official in lieu of Live Load Test. All connections must be free of internal rust or rot, spot primed and sealed. All worn material repaired and or replaced. All supports into wall reinforced, repaired and certified in a Fire Escape Confidence Test. In lieu of Live Load Test, all square head bolts, rivets and or welded connections must be certified, reinforced and or replaced based on age or condition. All ladders and cantilevers must be balanced and drop 2-3 ft per second, hit the ground and stay down and must lead to a public way. All roof ladders must be secure. No full painting of any fire escape until all spot painted repairs are inspected and certified under engineer oversight and or city official permit sign-off. Full replacement is subject to permits and or possible code upgrade requirements.
Painting by EPA Licensed Renovators (if lead paint is present) or others acceptable to Official:
In layman’s terms, the city official is looking for a paint vendor (EPA Certified Renovator if required) to do all work as per EPA Guidelines due to the fact that all fire escapes older than 1978 are presumed to have lead (EPA) unless identified as no lead or low lead by a licensed lead inspector. Entire building will be notified with signage and all precautions shall be taken to collect paint chips at grade. No sandblasting or power assisted scraping without full fire escape encapsulation under EPA Guidelines. All major connection shall be sealed from water intrusion before during or after painting. All escapes should be spot painted every 3-5 yrs and fully painted every 5-10 yrs or as needed or ordered by a Fire/Code Official.
Fire Escape Codes:
MASS BUILDING CODE 1001.3 TESTING AND CERTIFICATION ALL EXTERIOR BRIDGES, STEEL OR WOODEN STAIRWAYS, FIRE ESCAPES AND EGRESS BALCONIES SHALL BE EXAMINED AND OR TESTED, AND CERTIFIED FOR STRUCTURAL ADEQUACY AND SAFETY EVERY FIVE YEARS, BY A MASS REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, OR OTHER QUALIFIED AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE BUILDING OFFICIAL, WHO SHALL THEN SUBMIT AN AFFIDAVIT TO THE BUILDING OFFICIAL.
NFPA Lifesafety Code 101 7.2.8.6.2 The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to approve any existing fire escape Stair that has been shown by load test or other satisfactory evidence to have adequate strength.
For more information please visit our website at https://fireescapeengineers.com or call 866-649-0333
Fire Escape Engineers is an approved member of the Fire Escape Services Network https://www.fireescpeservices.com and a founding member of the National Fire Escape Association (NFEA) https://www.nationalfireescapeassociation.org