Chiltern International Fire (CIF) has invested £250k refitting one of its fire testing laboratories to include a new combination furnace, completing the company’s four-year development programme of its fire testing facilities.
The four-year investment now sees CIF positioned as a centre of excellence in its specialist service area, offering clients state-of-the-art, versatile and cost-effective facilities backed up with high-calibre technical expertise.
This most recent upgrade complements previous investment, which includes a new vertical fire resistance test furnace, and a horizontal 3mx2m test furnace.
Installed within its own purpose-built facility, the new combination furnace provides testing flexibility to allow multiple testing of fire-stopping products, such as pipe penetration and linear joint seals and offers about twice as much test area as its predecessor.
Features of the new facility include an overhead crane, installation area, comfortable viewing area with internet access and control room, enhanced extraction system and video recording facility. Remote viewing opportunities are also available for clients unable to visit the test site.
The new furnace is designed to comply with all relevant standards, including EN 1363-1, BS 476 Part 20, Hydro-carbon curve, ASTM E119 and UL 10c. It has a bespoke monitoring and 120-channel data logging system with fully automatic temperature and pressure control.
Mark Cummings, CIF’s Deputy Technical Manager, said: “Development of the fire resistance testing facilities makes us a cost-effective testing site for research and development as well as full testing services. This investment creates an excellent working environment for clients and employees.
“Here at CIF, we believe that in our specialist service area, we offer a level of technical expertise with modern facilities unequalled in the UK. We strive to offer clients a personal, professional service in the best environment possible. Ongoing business investment is all part of ensuring that good customer experience.”
