Fire stopping product testing

Fire stopping product testing services

Warringtonfire undertakes fire resistance testing from our UKAS-accredited laboratories in High Wycombe (1762) and Warrington (0249), as well as our BELAC-accredited laboratory in Gent (196-Test).

As part of our fire resistance testing, we carry out fire stopping product testing to British, European and International standards for various fire stopping products. These include service penetration seals and linear joint seals, cavity barriers, and fire-rated air ventilation grilles.

Upon completing your testing programme, we issue a comprehensive and internationally recognized fire resistance test report.

There are new challenges facing the fire stopping industry, from specification through to manufacture, installation, and ongoing maintenance. Warringtonfire’s team of engaged experts are here to help users understand the requirements for all fire stopping product testing.

Our CE marking service is now provided by our sister company, Element Materials Technology Rotterdam B.V. However, the same Warringtonfire certification experts you have always dealt with are here to help and facilitate your service. Please get in touch with us for more information.

What are fire stopping products?

Service penetration seals and linear joint seals are essential parts of building design. Types of service that require a penetration seal may include gas pipework, electricity cabling and cable carriers, telecommunications cabling, water supply pipework and waste removal.

Maintaining the separating element/compartment line’s fire integrity, stability and insulating properties after installation of these services is essential, all of which are considered through destructive fire test evidence or product assessment based upon existing fire test evidence.

Linear joint seals are usually installed within junctions between separating elements and, similarly to penetration seals, act to reinstate the wall or floor’s fire resistance performance.

Cavity barriers

The approved guidance in support of the Building Regulations (Approved Document B) calls for hidden cavities and voids in the construction of a building to be sealed through cavity barriers. The purpose of this physical barrier is to suppress the spread of fire and smoke in concealed spaces.

Cavity barriers fitted between fire resisting elements are essential to the fire safety of a building. They are evaluated through destructive fire testing or product assessment based on existing fire test evidence.

Fire rated air ventilation grilles

Air transfer grilles are increasingly used to improve air quality and temperature control in buildings by allowing controlled air circulation.

Certain fire-rated air ventilation grilles can also help inhibit the spread of fire and smoke when used within fire and smoke-sealed doors. Fire-rated air transfer grilles should have the same period of fire integrity as that of the supporting construction into which it is installed.

Those responsible for building fire safety should ensure that the fire test evidence is appropriate to the intended application.

Why choose Warringtonfire for your testing?

Excellent indicative/small-scale furnace availability
Fully accredited test laboratory
Access to a wide range of pipes and cables
Ability to source materials on your behalf
Assistance with product and pipe support system installation
Ability to provide/build supporting constructions for test purposes

Warringtonfire has test laboratories and certification bodies across the EU and UK, we have solutions to act as:

A Notified Body to support your testing and certification requirements for the CE marking of your products for use in the EU and NI.
An Approved/Notified body (NI) to support your testing and certification needs for UKCA marking in the GB market, and CE+UK(NI) marking for the NI market.

Please note that since Brexit, Warringtonfire’s notified body status has moved to our sister company, Element Materials Technology Rotterdam B.V.(ERO) in the Netherlands; meaning that we are still, as a company, able to fulfil your notified body role.

Following the post-Brexit trade agreement, please contact one of our engaged experts to discuss your test, certification and market requirements such that we can offer a cost effective solution. Note that it is highly likely that the current acceptance of CE marked products in Great Britain will end on 30 June 2025, even so, it is critical you contact us in good time to ensure you are prepared for UKCA marking.