Demonstrate compliance, with Element’s complete range of fire testing services for building materials. Combining  extensive expertise, diverse testing methods, and strategically located labs, our tailored procedures help ensure that you meet regulatory requirements and that your products are fit for purpose in their end application.

What is fire testing of building materials and why do I need it?

Fire testing of building materials is a crucial process in assessing a product's ability to withstand exposure to fire as well as looking at how different materials may impact flame, heat and smoke spread during a fire event. Fire testing standards and building codes are essential to manufacturing products with safe designs and materials to protect the end user. Failure to meet flammability testing requirements risks public safety and can also limit or prevent market access. The insight you gain from fire testing of building materials helps you to avoid the use of materials and/or products that are not fit for purpose. Element's building materials fire testing services are beneficial for research and development, quality control, or demonstrating a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Key benefits of conducting fire testing on your building products

  • Modern Laboratories and Comprehensive Test Offering: Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through our investment in state-of-the-art, controlled laboratories. With Element, you can access a comprehensive suite of services that scrutinize every aspect of your material's burning behavior, from ignition and resistance through to extinguishing.
  • Stay Compliant with Regulations: Fire safety isn't limited by borders, nor are our tailored test plans. Covering AS, BS, CAN, DIN, EN, ISO, NFPA, and UL, we ensure your materials meet the stringent standards required globally. 
  • Mitigate Risk and Boost Trust: Fire testing of building materials is crucial to mitigate the extreme risks associated with using non-compliant materials. These tests provide certainty, ensuring the safety of lives and investments, and offer customers the ultimate reassurance that entrusted materials will perform as expected in the event of a fire. Element's precision and reliability in conducting these tests are the foundation of trust in building material performance.
  • Uphold Industry Best Practices: Trust isn't just a sentiment; it's evidence-based. Our diligence, adherence to a wide range of standards, and testing for various eventualities prove your commitment to industry best practices.
  • Tailored Test Programs: We recognize that one size doesn't fit all. Our test programs are designed with you and your project in mind. With flexible schedules and the ability to scale, we work with you to make the testing process a seamless part of your journey.
  • Safety Assurance: We validate your product's suitability for its intended use with tests that go beyond the theoretical, ensuring real-world reliability in the face of unexpected fire events. 
  • Passive Fire Protection Specialists: As specialists in passive fire protection products, we ensure that your materials are rigorously tested for their intended end use.

Tailored solutions for unique products

Are you currently managing a project that involves non-standard materials or design elements? We understand the unique set of challenges that come with each project and can support you in ensuring that the fire testing of your building products is not one of them. Our broad-scope testing laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, operated by experts in their field who can assist you in developing custom test plans to meet your specific needs. Whether it is unconventional materials, complex applications, or specialized parameters, we can support you. 

Navigating complex regulatory requirements

Navigating the changing landscape of fire safety in the construction industry can be a daunting task, especially with evolving fire standards and technologies. For those involved in delayed or long-term projects, it becomes essential to future-proof fire safety measures. With our team of dedicated fire industry experts, Element can offer a valuable solution. Our experts possess extensive knowledge and a profound understanding of the most current standards and technologies in the field. By partnering with Element, you can ensure that your project remains effective and compliant with future developments in regulations and products. This proactive approach not only helps you meet complex regulatory requirements but also provides peace of mind that your fire safety measures will stand the test of time.

Services and capabilities

We specialize in fire resistance testing of passive fire protection products including:

  • Fire doors
  • Fire rated glazing
  • Separating elements
  • Fire stopping products
  • Suspended ceilings
  • Steel beams
  • Loadbearing and non-loadbearing elements
  • Shutter assemblies
  • Ducts & dampers
  • Cable systems & associated components
  • Smoke extraction & ventilation ducts
  • Smoke curtain & components
  • Intumescent seals

In addition to fire resistance testing, we offer reaction to fire testing to the following procedures: 

  • Surface flammability using Steiner Tunnel Testing
  • Heat release, smoke production and mass loss rate using Cone Calorimetry
  • Critical radiant flux using the Flooring Radiant Panel Testing
  • Non-combustibility testing
  • Smolder resistance testing
  • Large scale room reference test for surface products
  • Ignitability
  • Flame spread, dripping test
  • Single Burning Item (SBI)
  • Horizontal surface spread of flame of floor-coverings
  • Determination of the Gross Heat Of Combustion (Calorific Value)
  • Flammability of materials
  • Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index) Oxygen-Index-Test (LOI)
  • Fire Behavior of Building Materials, Elements and Components
  • Smoke Development
  • Fire Propagation
  • Surface Spread of Flame
  • Roofing Test with Burning Brands, Wind and Supplementary Radiant Heat
  • External Fire Exposure of Roofs and Roof Coverings
  • Room Corner Test for Wall and Ceiling Lining Products
  • Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish
  • Thermal Insulating Materials for Building Applications

Why choose Element?

When you partner with Element, you choose a globally trusted testing partner. BELAC, ISO 17025, NATA, and UKAS accreditations support our reliability on an international scale. Our comprehensive fire testing services, state-of-the-art laboratories, dedicated experts, and strict adherence to international standards ensure that your building materials are rigorously evaluated for fire safety. 

We offer a comprehensive suite of services, from non-combustibility testing for construction materials like concrete to reaction-to-fire tests on interior finish materials. With tailored on-site testing programs, failure analysis investigations, and consulting services, we ensure that the materials we test not only comply with building codes but also provide peace of mind for your projects. Element is more than a testing service; we are your trusted partner in fire safety, offering the expertise and technology to deliver reliable testing solutions. For more information about Element, please visit our About Us page.

If you're ready to discuss how we can assist you with fire testing for your building materials, don't hesitate to contact us with your requirements today. 

 

Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films: a comparative analysis of CAN/ULC-S109 and NFPA 701 Fire Tests

A guide to understanding a material's reaction to fire by comparing CAN/ULC-S109 and NFPA 701 test methods. READ MORE

Cone Calorimeter Testing

A guide to understanding the fire response and the smoke production of materials. The Cone Calorimeter is currently the most advanced test method to assess how materials and products behave when exposed to a radiant heat insult.

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Steiner Tunnel Testing: reaction-to-fire testing on interior finish materials

A guide to understanding the Steiner Tunnel test and the differences between ASTM E84 and CAN/ULC-S102. READ MORE

Radiant Panel Test: assessing the response of flooring materials to heat and flame

A guide to understanding the critical radiant flux of flooring materials. Flooring materials used in a building corridor or exitway must be tested for their flammability characteristics to gain an understanding of how they will contribute to fire spread. 

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