Fire Testing

The CSIRO Fire Science and Technology Laboratory combines expertise and full-scale fire test capabilities to simulate a wide range of fire scenarios, providing a unique fire research, consulting and testing facility to industry.

nata-so-pos-rgbWe carry out testing, certification and standardisation in the areas of reaction to fire and fire resistance.

We have developed comprehensive testing facilities, many of which are registered by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), to undertake a wide range of tests for industry based on international (ISO), Australian (AS 1530 etc.), British (BS 476 etc.), American (ASTM, UL, NFPA, FM) and other standards.

We also offer interpretation of results, assessment of conformity with specification, assistance with research and development, and consultancy on construction in bushfire-prone areas.

 

 

Capabilities

Our range of tests includes:

  • Fire resistance of walls, floors, doors, dampers, shutters, ducts, columns, roofs, ceilings, penetration seals, windows and glazing, and other elements of construction
  • Spread of flame tests on building materials and textiles/furnishings
  • Smoke developed or emitted tests on building materials
  • Combustibility of building materials; and,
  • Rate of heat release.

Fire Resistance Furnace at CSIRO North Ryde

Our major test and research equipment includes:

  • Wall furnace (3000 x 3000 mm) – to establish fire resistance rating to AS 1530.4, BS 476 Parts 20–24, ISO 834, ISO 3008, ISO 3009 and ASTM E119
  • Floor furnace (6000 x 3000 mm) – to establish fire resistance ratings to AS 1530.4, BS 476 Parts 20–24, ISO 834 and ASTM E119ineering
  • Pilot furnace (1000 x 1000 mm) – enables designers and sponsors access to a small, cost-effective furnace for testing prototype systems or for assessing alternative items of hardware for fire doors, dampers, penetration seals and electrical wiring
  • Column loading furnace – compression loading apparatus for testing to 80t under fire conditions
  • Hose stream tests – testing of fire-rated systems to ASTM E2226
  • Combustibility furnace – to examine the combustibility of materials in accordance with AS 1530.1, BS 476 Parts 4 and 11, and ISO 1182
  • Flammability apparatus – to test thin, flexible materials such as curtain and upholstery fabrics to     AS 1530.2
  • Insulation materials – to test insulation materials to AS 1530.3
  • Flooring radiant panel – to assess the floor covering materials in accordance with ISO 9239.1
  • Cone calorimeter – to determine the rate of heat, smoke and gas release for modelling and other purposes, in accordance with ASTM E1345, ISO 5660 and AS/NZ 3837.