Through our partnership with manufacturers and designers in the fire protection industry, we’ve heard the demand for greater support – beyond code compliance. Manufacturers have shared that support requires specialized equipment and a focus on the research and development (R&D) space. We’re excited to announce that we are now prepared to answer the call through the operation of our brand new, state-of-the-art small-scale furnace in our Bryan, TX test laboratory.

The new small-scale furnace, sized 7-ft x 7-ft x 7-ft, contains 3 pre-mixed, natural gas burners, a removable top and front face to permit testing of vertical and/or horizontal assemblies. Manufacturers familiar with large-scale furnace tests will be happy to hear that the new small-scale furnace was designed as the ideal R&D equipment for tests in accordance with ASTM E119/UL 263, ASTM E814/UL1479, and ASTM E1966/UL2079.

R&D testing in the small-scale furnace using ASTM E119/UL 263 will be available for non-load bearing floor/ceiling assemblies, non-load bearing wall assemblies and partitions, insulated steel beams and columns, and I-joists. R&D testing using ASTM E814/UL1479 will be available for firestop products, whereas testing using ASTM E1966/UL2079 will be available for fire-resistant joint products and systems.

In all R&D tests, your test goals are our priority. Our expert staff will install thermocouples either to the standard specifications or as directed by you. Likewise, modifications to the test standard can be considered to ensure you gather the information that is most important to you.

We are excited for the opportunity to provide expanded solutions to our great partners and newly interested manufacturers and designers. Please contact us to learn more about how you can use our new support services and the new small-scale furnace.