Providing an independent alternative in material fire safety testing
Ignis Labs holds
accreditation and registration with industry-leading bodies
With support from Vortex Fire as well as Assurance Construction Testing and Certification, we can provide independent and objective fire safety engineering expertise for fire strategy, audit, evaluation and review for code and material compliance within Australia and Internationally.
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About Us
NATA Accredited Testing Services in Australia since 2020.
Non-combustible testing is a critical process used to determine whether a material can be classified as non-combustible under specific fire safety standards. This testing involves subjecting the material to intense heat in a controlled environment to observe whether it ignites, burns, or contributes to the spread of fire. Materials that pass these tests do not support combustion and are therefore considered safe for use in areas where fire resistance is paramount, such as in the construction of buildings, especially in fire-rated assemblies like walls, floors, and ceilings. The results of non-combustible testing are essential for architects, engineers, and builders in selecting materials that enhance the fire safety of structures, ensuring compliance with building codes, and protecting both lives and property from fire hazards.
Ignis Labs is able to undertake non combustible testing to the following standards.
- AS 1530.1: Non-combustibility testing.
- ASTM E2652: Standard test method for assessing combustibility of materials using a tube furnace with a cone-shaped airflow stabilizer at 750oC.
- BS 1182: Reaction to fire test for products – non combustibility test
- GB/T 5464: Non-Combustibility Test Method Of Building Materials
Contact Ignis Labs to arrange your non-combustible testing.
Ignis Labs undertakes cone calorimeter testing in accordance with AS/NZS 3837 as well as ISO 5660.
Cone calorimeter testing is a sophisticated method used to evaluate the fire properties of materials in a controlled environment. Named after the cone-shaped heater used to expose samples to precise levels of radiant heat, this test measures critical parameters such as heat release rate, smoke production, carbon monoxide and dioxide generation, and time to ignition. The results obtained from cone calorimeter testing are integral for understanding how materials contribute to fire development and spread. This testing is essential for manufacturers, builders, and safety engineers to select appropriate materials for products and building components that must meet specific fire safety standards. The data gathered is also used in the development of predictive models for fire behavior, helping improve the fire safety design of future products and structures.
- AS/NZS 3837: Cone calorimeter testing for material group numbers.
Fire Resistance Testing
Ignis Labs undertakes pilot fire resistance testing with a 1m x 1m furnace.
Fire resistance testing is an essential process for determining how materials and structural elements of a building will perform under fire conditions. This testing assesses the ability of these elements—such as beams, columns, floors, and walls—to retain their structural integrity, limit the spread of flames, and maintain their insulative properties over a specified period under controlled conditions. During the test, components are exposed to temperatures that mimic those encountered in a real fire, using furnaces or other heat sources. The key measurements taken include load-bearing capacity, integrity, and insulation capabilities, which are used to rate the fire resistance of the tested elements in minutes or hours. The results of fire resistance tests are crucial for compliance with building codes and help ensure that buildings are designed to provide a safer environment for occupants during a fire.
- AS 1530.4: Pilot tests for wall elements and penetrations fire resistance levels.
- AS 1905.1: Components for the protection of openings in fire resistant doorsets.
- AS 4072.1: Components for the protection of openings in fire resistant separating elements part 1 service penetrations and control joints.
Ignis Labs has flammability testing equipment to evaluate Australian, European and North American requirements.
Flammability testing is a critical procedure used to evaluate the susceptibility of materials to ignite, sustain combustion, or spread flames when exposed to a source of ignition. This type of testing is essential for ensuring the safety of materials used in a wide range of applications, from textiles and building materials to automotive and aerospace components. The tests are conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, where materials are subjected to specific heat sources or flames, and various properties are measured including the rate of flame spread, heat release, smoke production, and the material’s ability to self-extinguish. The results from flammability tests help in classifying materials according to their fire performance, guiding manufacturers in material selection, and ensuring that products meet safety standards and regulatory requirements. This testing is fundamental in preventing fire-related incidents and enhancing public safety by promoting the use of materials that are less likely to contribute significantly to fire growth and severity.
- AS 1530.2: Flexible sarking assessment.
- ISO 11925: European flammability testing.
- UL 94: US flammability assessment.
AS/NZS 1530.3 is a standard specifically used in Australia and New Zealand for assessing the fire hazard properties of building materials. It provides a methodical approach for determining how materials contribute to fire development, focusing on the spread of flame, heat evolved, and smoke developed when a material is exposed to heat. The standard involves exposing material samples to a radiant heat source and measuring these critical properties. The spread of flame is assessed by observing the distance and rate at which fire travels over the material’s surface, while heat evolved is measured as the amount of heat released during combustion. Smoke developed is quantified based on the visibility through the smoke produced during the test. Results from AS/NZS 1530.3 help in classifying materials based on their fire hazard properties, which is essential for ensuring that building materials meet safety requirements, contribute to the overall fire safety of structures, and align with fire safety engineering objectives. This standard is crucial for manufacturers, architects, and builders in selecting appropriate materials for safe and compliant construction.
- AS/NZS 1530.3: Material fire hazard properties evaluation.
Room corner testing to ISO 9705 is a standardized method used internationally to evaluate the fire performance of products and materials in an interior setting. This test simulates a real-life scenario where a fire starts in the corner of a room, allowing technicians to assess how materials contribute to fire growth and room flashover. The setup involves constructing a room with specific dimensions, where the test material is applied to the walls and ceiling. A burner placed in the corner of the room emits a defined heat output to ignite the material. During the test, various parameters such as flame spread, heat release rate, smoke production, and gas emissions are monitored and recorded. ISO 9705 provides critical data on the behaviour of materials in early-stage fires and their potential to reach flashover, helping to determine their suitability for use in building interiors and their impact on overall fire safety. This testing is pivotal for ensuring that materials meet stringent safety standards and are appropriately certified for use in various construction contexts.
- AS ISO 9705: Internal room corner testing.
Ignis Labs undertakes radiant floor testing
Radiant floor tests according to ISO 9239 are designed to evaluate the flammability and fire characteristics of flooring materials when exposed to radiant heat. This international standard measures the critical parameters of how a material contributes to fire, focusing primarily on the spread of flame across the floor surface and the heat released during combustion. The testing setup involves placing a flooring sample in a test chamber and subjecting it to a radiant heat source and a small flame. The test quantifies the flame spread rate, the heat emitted, and the smoke produced by the flooring material. Critical outcomes from ISO 9239 include the critical flux at extinguishment and the smoke development rate, which are essential for assessing the fire safety of flooring materials used in various settings. This information is invaluable for manufacturers, builders, and regulatory bodies to ensure that flooring products are safe for use and meet required fire safety standards, particularly in high-risk environments like public buildings and commercial spaces.
It is important to note that the National Construction Code requires testing to be completed until extinguishment and not 30 minutes.
- ISO 9239-1: Reaction To Fire Tests For Floorings – Part 1: Determination Of The Burning Behaviour Using A Radiant Heat Source
- AS ISO 9239: Critical radiant heat flux assessment for flooring material.
- BS EN ISO 9239-1: Reaction To Fire Tests For Floorings – Part 1: Determination Of The Burning Behaviour Using A Radiant Heat Source
- EN ISO 9239-1: Reaction To Fire Tests For Floorings – Part 1: Determination Of The Burning Behaviour Using A Radiant Heat Source
- ASTM E648-19 Standard method of test for critical radiant flux of floor covering systems using A radiant heat energy source.
- ASTM E970-17 Standard test method for critical radiant flux of exposed attic floor insulation using a radiant heat energy source
- NFPA 253: Standard Method Of Test For Critical Radiant Flux Of Floor Covering Systems Using A Radiant Heat Energy Source
- GB/T 11785: Reaction To Fire Tests For Floorings—Determination Of The Burning Behaviour Using A Radiant Heat Source
Large-scale external wall tests governed by BS 8414 assess the fire performance of cladding systems on buildings. This British standard provides a methodological framework for evaluating how external cladding systems contribute to fire spread beyond the compartment of fire origin. The test involves constructing a two-story test rig that simulates a real building façade with the cladding system installed. A fire source is placed at the base of this rig to simulate a fire breaking out of a window, and the behaviour of the cladding system is then observed and recorded under these conditions. Key parameters such as the rate and extent of flame spread, the heat emitted, and any falling debris are closely monitored. BS 8414 aims to ensure that cladding systems, when subjected to realistic fire scenarios, do not pose unacceptable risks in terms of fire spread. This testing is crucial for compliance with building regulations, helping to safeguard lives by preventing the rapid spread of fires in high-rise buildings.
- BS 8414-1 Fire Performance Of External Cladding Systems – Part 1: Test Method For Non-Loadbearing External Cladding Systems Applied To The Masonry Face Of A Building
- BS 8414-2: Fire Performance Of External Cladding Systems – Part 2: Test Method For Non-Loadbearing External Cladding Systems Fixed To And Supported By A Structural Steel Frame
- AS 5113: External wall fire spread analysis.
- BR 135 Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multi-storey buildings
- ISO 13785-1 Intermediate wall test
ASTM D5630 is a standard test method used to determine the quantity of volatile and semi-volatile components, including plastic content, in compounded plastic materials via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This method is essential for quality control and material verification, ensuring that plastics and composite materials meet specified compositions for manufacturing processes and end-use applications. During the test, a sample of the plastic material is heated to a predetermined temperature that causes the volatile components to evaporate, and these losses are measured as a percentage of the total weight. This provides an accurate assessment of the material’s composition, particularly the content of fillers, plasticizers, and other additives that can influence the physical properties and performance of the final product. ASTM D5630 is widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics, where precise material specifications are critical for product reliability and safety.
- ASTM D5630: Plastic core content examination.
EN 13501 is a European standard that provides a system for classifying materials based on their fire behaviour, smoke production, and flaming droplets/particles. This comprehensive framework is essential for assessing the fire safety of construction products and building elements. The classification system under EN 13501 ranges from A1 (non-combustible) to F (highly combustible), with additional classifications for smoke production (s1, s2, s3) and flaming droplets (d0, d1, d2). The standard employs various tests to evaluate the combustibility, flame spread, heat release, smoke production, and occurrence of flaming droplets when materials are exposed to fire. This classification helps architects, builders, and designers make informed decisions about material selection based on fire safety requirements and ensures compliance with building regulations across Europe. By providing a clear and consistent method for evaluating and communicating the fire performance of materials, EN 13501 plays a crucial role in enhancing building safety and facilitating international trade in construction products.
Ignis Labs is accredited to undertake evaluation of materials in accordance with EN 13501.
- EN 13501-1: Fire Classification Of Construction Products And Building Elements — Part 1: Classification Using Data From Reaction To Fire Tests
- EN 13501-2: Fire Classification Of Construction Products And Building Elements – Part 2: Classification Using Data From Fire Resistance Tests, Excluding Ventilation Services
Heat of combustion testing according to ISO 1716 is a standardised method used to determine the potential energy content of building materials in the form of heat release during combustion. This test is crucial for assessing how much heat a material can potentially contribute to a fire once ignited. ISO 1716 involves measuring the gross calorific value, which is the total heat released when a material is completely burned in a controlled environment, typically using a bomb calorimeter. This parameter is essential for calculating the fire load of a building and understanding the fire behaviour of materials under actual fire conditions. The results from this test help in classifying materials based on their combustibility and energy contribution to fires, aiding in fire safety engineering and compliance with building fire safety standards. Such testing is pivotal for materials used in construction, furnishing, and other applications where fire safety is a critical concern.
- ISO 1716: Material heat of combustion determination.
- GB 8624: Fire Test To Building Material And Products
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WHY IGNIS LABS
Why Choose us?
Fire Engineering
Ignis Labs in conjunction with the Vortex has experienced fire safety engineers with expertise in global fire safety engineering services.
End-to-End Service
At Ignis Labs we pride ourselves on offering our clients a complete end-to-end testing, certification and engineering service.
Competent Team
We employ some of Australia's leading fire engineering experts and lab technicians to provide a suite of Australian / International Standards.
Quality and Responsiveness
Our approach is to understand our client's needs and the proposed product use in line with the applicable testing and engineering support to enable the product to comply with relevant codes.
State-of-the-art Facility
Our state-of-the-art facility at Queanbeyan, NSW is equipped for a complete range of fire testing services for independent certification to Australian and international standards.
Personalised Approach
Our personalised approach provides one-on-one opportunities for our expert fire engineers to explain test results in detail and work with clients on the outcomes and key aspects.
What We Do for You?
Fire Safety Engineering
In addition to performing key tests for the building industry, our personalised approach provides one-on-one opportunities for our expert fire engineers to explain test results in detail and work with clients on key aspects of training and awareness. We do this to not only test our clients’ products but also to provide significant value to their businesses through improvements in processes and capabilities.
Ignis Labs employs some of Australia’s leading fire engineering experts and lab technicians to test building products against a suite of Australian and International Standards. Were required or as part of a fire-engineered performance solution we can adopt a bespoke methodology for product development or test each client’s product within the parameters of prescribed standards and guide them through each stage.
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