Warringtonfire expands UK fire resistance testing capacity to keep pace with demand

Warringtonfire has increased its fire resistance testing capacity to cater to the heightened demand for UKAS-accredited testing space from product manufacturers within the built environment and transport sectors.

The additional testing capacity has been created through improved operational planning at peak times, better communication around available test slots, and the cumulative impact of a 15-month process optimisation plan.

It is immediately available and includes testing slots across Warringtonfire’s full scale horizontal and vertical furnaces, as well as its indicative furnace.

Warringtonfire, which is part of the Element Materials Technology Group, specialises in fire resistance testing for passive fire protection products including fire doors, structural steelwork protection, fire stopping products and large-scale testing of cladding. All testing is undertaken to British and European standards, in line with CE marking, UKCA and UKNI marking and third-party certification.

The enhanced testing capacity follows the recent announcement of Warringtonfire’s plans for a new laboratory at Birchwood Park, Warrington, which is due to open in early 2025.

The £23m facility is set to become the UK’s largest built environment product testing laboratory, and will represent an 80% increase in size compared to the current facility. Following its opening, the current Warrington site will be transformed into a centre of excellence for reaction to fire testing.

Jason Dodds, Vice President of Warringtonfire, comments, “The regulatory landscape for both the built environment and transport industries is incredibly dynamic and the need for manufacturers to test and certify their products is more pressing than ever.

“While we will be well placed to service this demand in the long-term through our new Birchwood Park laboratory, we are acutely aware that manufacturers are facing a lack of UKAS-accredited testing capacity today. By increasing our ability to undertake additional fire resistance tests across three different furnaces we can help alleviate some of the short-term regulatory pressure facing manufacturers and ensure they can bring their product to market in a safe, efficient and timely way.”

As well as increasing its fire resistance testing capacity in Warrington, the company is also investing in its mid-scale furnace at its laboratory in High Wycombe.