Fire Resistance Testing Section

The Fire Resistance Testing Section in the Fire Technology Department of the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division evaluates the fire and structural performance of materials, components, systems and structures when subjected to full-scale fire exposure and post-flashover conditions. Our clients include commercial manufacturers, engineers, architects, specifiers, building code authorities, petrochemical, off-shore, transportation, telecommunications industries, and numerous government agencies such as DOT, NRC, and USCG. We participate in development of national and international standards and perform evaluation tests in accordance with ASTM, NFPA, IMO, ISO, UL and ULC, FM, and Bellcore NEBS protocols. Both Standard Protocols and Client/Material Specific Custom Evaluation Programs are conducted using SwRI's state-of-the-art full- scale furnace facility, full-scale indoor test facility, and the intermediate-scale multistory apparatus (ISMA). Additional programs are conducted using SwRI's jet-fire facility and high-intensity burner (HIB) facility, a 25-ft and 50-ft corner test facility and SwRI's remote test facility is utilized for full-scale pool fire exposures (up to 50-ft).

Marc Janssens, Ph.D., Acting Manager

Technical strengths and contacts in the section include:

• Fire-resistance rated assemblies (walls, floor-ceiling, roof, fire stops, doors and windows)
  Barry Badders, P.E., Arturo Alvarez, and J. Marshall Sharp
  
  
• IMO/USCG fire resistance rated marine assemblies (bulkhead/deck, cable transits, penetration seals, doors and windows)
  Arturo Alvarez, J. Marshall Sharp, and Barry Badders, P.E.
  
  
• Structural and environmental exposure requirements for fire rated assemblies
  Arturo Alvarez and J. Marshall Sharp
  
  
• High-rise, pool-fire, jet-fire and HIB (critical service equipment, control systems, ROV, pumps, fittings, and fixtures)
  Barry Badders, P.E., Arturo Alvarez, and J. Marshall Sharp
  
  
• Transportation and storage containers (aboveground fuel storage tanks (AST), CNG, LPG, radioactive and hazardous materials)
  Barry Badders, P.E.
  
  
• Fixed guideway and mass transit assemblies (people movers, rail vehicles, aircraft/airport)
  Barry Badders, P.E.
  
  
• Automotive systems (full vehicle flammability, fuel systems, plastic tanks and components, and liquid/vapor permeation)
  Bill B. Bendele
  
  
• Telecommunications testing (Bellcore NEBS, UL 1950)
  Bill B. Bendele
  
  
• Building and fire code compliance (UBC, BOCA, SBCCI, UFC, and ICC)
  Barry Badders, P.E.

Fire Technology Department
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division
SwRI Technical Divisions SwRI Home

January 05, 2009