Bespoke Research and Testing

We offer the ability to design, build and carry out bespoke fire testing to cater for multiple scenarios and conduct testing on complex, previously untested system designs. This allows our customers to assess whether materials and systems are fire-safe under specific end-use conditions and applications. 

We always provide impartial and independent advice, giving customers a clear picture of how their product or system may perform in a fire situation. 

In addition to bespoke fire testing work, we can offer reconstructions or simulations for investigation into the causes of incidents, whether real-life or potential.

Read our case studies.

Download our fire research and testing brochure.

Comprehensive Testing Environments

The FPA has several modern testing environments allowing our highly qualified experts to carry out some of the most versatile and comprehensive fire safety research and testing in the UK. Our national fire research laboratory and testing facilities are based in Blockley and at the world renowned Fire Service College in Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire. 

Our test environments include: 

Burn hall with variable height fire ceiling 

Our large volume, still air fire testing hall has a variable height fire ceiling along with environmental managed smoke and water systems, making it extremely versatile. It can be used for several scenarios, ranging from small compartment studies to complete multi room houses up to 10x10m and to a maximum height of 6.25m. 

Fire resistance test furnaces 

In collaboration with global safety science leader, UL Solutions we have a large scale (4x3m) vertical furnace and a small scale (1.5x1.5m) vertical and horizontal furnace to carry out tests for fire resistance which form the basis of UK Regulations and support third party product certification. 

High rise testing rigs 

We can test high rise multi façade building materials and finishes in a variety of configurations on our 10m high BS 8414 test rigs. 

Unique outdoor spaces 

Being based at the Fire Service College, we also have access to many unique fire hardening buildings and open spaces, including tower blocks, shopping malls and a ship.

Extensive Technical Capabilities

When testing, our team of experts has the ability to burn, measure and report on a vast number of elements. 

Our capabilities include: 

Creating bespoke fire loads – fire loads can be created from almost any combustible material such as gas, liquids and solids all stored within a controlled environment. 

Large scale calorimetry – when burning we can accurately measure the heat involved in both the chemical and physical processes, and the severity of the fire source. 

Gas measurement – we use calibrated measuring equipment to measure gas in low oxygen environments, i.e. gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. We can also measure gas velocity (the gas movement being drawn into or exhaled from a fire). 

Temperature and heat flux measurement – whether single or multiple points of measurement are required, we can accurately obtain the temperature and the heat energy output from the fire. 

Liquid flow measurement – we have both ultrasonic and mechanical flow meters, letting us measure precisely the flow outputs from systems. 

Damage impact – we can measure the deformation caused by heat, flames and smoke, as well as measuring the load and the amount of force exerted on a surface, allowing you to know the mass lost during and after burning. 

Data collection and analysis – we have a large selection of data loggers which can capture over 300 different channels of data. Our advanced analysis equipment allows us to process data quickly and accurately. 

Reporting – a detailed and impartial report will be produced and discussed with you after testing.

Facilities That Support Our Test Environments

At our Gloucestershire facility we have: 

Pumped high-capacity water supply – our large onsite clean water storage tank gives a consistent and regulated water supply. 

Firefighting foam premix and collection system – we can mix on site firefighting foam concentrate to customer specifications. Used foam is then collected and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. 

Climate controlled conditioning chamber – this purpose-built chamber allows for the conditioning of fuel packages and test samples to give a more consistent and accurate result. 

Systems that reduce our environmental impact – the FPA is very aware of the impact its activities can have on the environment so we have several systems in place to reduce this. These range from smoke and dust extraction systems (designed to clean the air by removing smoke particles by filtration), to dirty water storage and run off collection systems. 

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