Chiltern International Fire (CIF) has commissioned a state-of-the-art 3m x 3m vertical fire resistance test furnace, the latest tranche of an investment programme worth almost £500,000 at its High Wycombe headquarters.

The new furnace, designed and built to CIF’s own specification by a world leader in design and manufacture Furnace Construction Co Ltd, will be installed and operational by the third quarter of this year.  Over the past 18 months the fire laboratory complex has been refurbished, in line with company strategy to retain its position as a market leader in this field.

The new furnace is designed to comply with all relevant standards and legislation, including EN 1363-1, Hydro -carbon curve, ASTM E119, UL 10c and BS 476 Part 20. It will have a bespoke monitoring and 180-channel data logging system with fully automatic temperature and pressure control, along with a manual override operation. It will be capable of testing to temperatures of up to 1250^oC and can accommodate a variety of specimen configurations. The fact that the new furnace will be floor mounted, rather than set into a pit, will create a better working environment and will give a better view of testing.

The company’s smaller 1.1m³ and 3m x 2m horizontal furnaces,  have also been completely refurbished, both now incorporating a highly sophisticated data logging and control system. The 1.1m³ furnace has in addition a positively pressurised control room and viewing gallery, while the  3m x 2m furnace is dedicated to research & development, penetration and gap seal testing.

Mark Cummings, Section leader of fire resistance testing at Chiltern Fire, said ‘The refurbishment programme will enable us to provide a more efficient testing facility for our staff and clients. Demand for fire testing has been growing strongly and the enhanced testing facilities will enable us to offer a prompt turnaround with swifter reporting.’ 

New client facilities include a comfortable viewing gallery with Internet access and brand new changing and shower rooms for all installers. The outside buildings and surrounding grounds have also been refurbished, enabling Chiltern Fire to stock a range of materials which clients may need for their testing. There is also a timber and metal workshop facility on site.

The company has invested heavily in staff training and recruitment within the fire resistance department, Mr Cummings added.  ‘We have greatly strengthened our team, which means that we can now be more proactive within EGOLF and European technical forums. This in turn ensures the best advice to clients.’