FM Global said this is the first time in its 174-year history the company has made its technical research available directly to the public. Previously, all of its technical research was considered company proprietary information and kept confidential.

The technical report, titled "The Influence of Risk Factors on Sustainable Development," is available for download at www.fmglobal.com/researchreports.

It is part of the firm's efforts to enhance awareness of property-related risks and loss prevention solutions associated with sustainable development.

The objective, FM Global said, is to provide a basis for improvements in risk management as a part of sustainable development.

Its methodology is applied to fire and natural hazard risk factors in commercial and industrial facilities, to provide quantitative estimates of possible carbon emission reductions and potential advancements in sustainable development from improvements in risk management.

"While most research to date on sustainable environmental building design has appropriately focused on the energy efficiency of 'green' facilities as the main source of carbon emissions, this is the first research that looks at the influence of fire and natural disasters," said Dr. Louis Gritzo, FM Global vice president and research manager.

"Risk management is an integral part of sustainable development, and FM Global recommends that future criteria for sustainable design and operation consider the risks fire and natural disaster can pose and the benefits of mitigating such threats."

Brion Callori, FM Global senior vice president, engineering and research, said the company's decision to begin making select technical research reports publicly available without charge reflects the changing business practices and risk profiles of its clients globally, which include one-third of Fortune 1000-size companies worldwide.

He noted, "In recent years, FM Global has observed an increase in frequency and severity of fire and natural disasters worldwide and a growing interdependence of businesses from globalization and technology."

Mr. Callori added the time is appropriate "to be sharing such information, given businesses' heightened consciousness around the environment, sustainability, risk management and their stakeholders' expectations."