Cape Town, South Africa — Ignis Fire Testing will officially launch their expanded laboratory and workshop in August as the largest privately-owned fire testing facility in Africa. The facility showcases the excellence of South African engineering and innovation, with all components locally manufactured while their services compete at the highest international standards. Strategically located in Blackheath near Cape Town and Stellenbosch, this advanced facility is poised to meet the growing global demand for comprehensive fire safety testing, while addressing crucial local needs.
South African Engineering Excellence
Under the leadership of Dirk Streicher, who brings over 40 years of civil engineering
experience, Ignis Fire Testing boasts a diverse team of expert engineers and technical staff. The new 1500-square-metre facility, featuring an 18-metre-high roof, is kitted with
fire testing equipment of the highest quality, including three custom-built furnaces, five reaction-to-fire tests, and a cone calorimeter. All the hardware, software, and control systems were designed and built in South Africa by Ignis Fire Testing’s team. This ensures enhanced functionality and innovation while minimising reliance on costly imports. The facility also emphasises sustainability, incorporating rainwater harvesting, solar power, and advanced air filtering systems to improve indoor air quality and reduce toxic emissions.
Streicher explains, “We saw the gap in the market for local fire testing. Where do you go if you have to test products or materials to adhere to fire safety standards? There are few local options. Even internationally, the testing demand is bigger than the supply, leading to major backlogs. It is also very expensive for South Africans to test abroad.”
Comprehensive Fire Safety Testing
The facility offers an extensive range of fire safety tests, adhering to South African and international standards, including ISO codes. The capabilities include fire resistance tests, a set of reaction-to-fire classification tests, cone calorimetry confirmation testing, room corner and gas suppression tests, façade tests, and supplementary and auxiliary fire equipment (such as sprinklers) tests. The facility is equipped to assess various products, such as lithium-ion batteries and solar panels, and can adapt to special requirements beyond standard procedures.
Research and Development
Ignis Fire Testing is at the forefront of the neglected field of fire safety research and development in collaboration with Stellenbosch University’s Fire Engineering Research Unit (FireSUN), led by Prof. Richard Walls. Dirk Streicher, an extraordinary faculty member at Stellenbosch University, works closely with students and staff, granting access to Ignis’ facilities for research purposes, supporting post-graduate degrees, and co-authoring papers that push the boundaries of fire safety engineering. This partnership fosters a symbiotic relationship between academia and industry to advance fire safety standards and train future fire engineers.
Local and Global Impact
This multi-million Rand investment significantly boosts the fire testing industry in South Africa, enhancing the safety of building materials for both local use and export. The laboratory’s innovative technology, competitive pricing, and quick turnaround times are also attracting global clients, with the potential to make a substantial impact on the local economy. Furthermore, Ignis Fire Testing’s cutting-edge facilities position them alongside leading international laboratories, promising significant contributions to the global fire safety community and exemplifying the nation’s engineering prowess and commitment to excellence.
In Prof. Walls’ words, “A fire safe world requires tested products. New products and renewable energy require state-of-the-art fire tests. It is exciting that a world-class fire testing and research facility is opening here in Cape Town.”
Invitation to the Grand Launch
Ignis Fire Testing invites the fire engineering community, suppliers, media, and academic figures to the opening ceremony to showcase its new facilities and highlight its dedication to advancing fire safety research and development. Find further details and the RSVP link here.
For more information and updates on Ignis Fire Testing’s initiatives, visit www.ignistesting.co.za and follow them on LinkedIn.
