Warringtonfire Expands Steel Protection Team to Enhance Technical Capabilities and Capacity

Warringtonfire, part of Element Materials Technology, has strengthened its structural steelwork protection team with the appointment of Carol Pinder and Seán Flannagan as Product Assessors, expanding the organisation's technical expertise and capacity to support customers across the fire safety industry.
 

Warringtonfire supports manufacturers through its UKAS-accredited laboratory in Warrington and BELAC-accredited laboratory in Ghent, delivering fire testing and certification services for structural and non-structural elements across building, offshore and marine applications. Led by Daniel Hesketh, Technical Manager – Steel Protection, the team helps customers demonstrate compliance and achieve market access for structural steel fire protection systems, including intumescent coatings, cementitious sprays and boards.

Pinder joins Warringtonfire with more than 25 years of experience in the coatings and fire protection industry. She spent 16 years at Sherwin-Williams, leading fire assessments, approvals and certification activities for passive fire protection products, most recently as Global Fire Approvals Manager. Drawing on her extensive background in fire testing, approvals and product development, Pinder will support customers with technically robust fire safety assessments and certification services.

Commenting on joining Warringtonfire, Pinder said:
"I am incredibly excited for this next chapter, and to apply my experience in fire protection approvals and assessment as part of a highly respected technical team. I look forward to working with colleagues and supporting customers across the industry."

Flannagan joins Warringtonfire following eight years at UL Solutions, where he specialised in the testing and certification of intumescent coatings for structural steel in the US market. With experience spanning aerospace, composites, nuclear and fire testing sectors, Flannagan will support customers through fire safety assessments and certification services, helping them navigate evolving industry requirements.

Commenting on joining Warringtonfire, Flannagan said:
"Knowing I can contribute to the safety of communities globally is something I am particularly excited about. I am proud to have joined an organisation with such strong technical capabilities and am very much looking forward to working with my new colleagues."

The appointments reflect Warringtonfire's continued investment in its steel protection services, increasing capacity while strengthening the technical expertise available to customers seeking trusted fire testing, assessment and certification solutions.