Affordable solutions for testing new products
Assistance with New Product Development
Non-Standard Test Methods
Research is the foundation of all testing. Through research, test methods are
developed to further enhance one's knowledge of a product or material.
Elements such as the cost to perform a test, accuracy of the test data,
repeatability of the test results, and validity or relationship of laboratory
data to "real outside of the lab" product behavior are the primary forces that
push government agencies, manufacturers, and special interest groups to do
research in testing. WFCi has been involved in many research and development
projects in its history.
Consultation Services
Personnel at Western Fire Center Inc. have extensive background and training
in fire and fire research. We are more than happy to share this knowledge to
help our clients improve the quality and safety of their products. WFCi helps
customers through testing, research, and code acceptance evaluation reports
for building evaluation services based on our long testing experience.
Consulting with an expert before proceeding to the actual test can save a
client thousands of dollars in trial and error. We are happy to use our
expertise to help our clients achieve their goals.
UPDATED! A New WFCi R&D Project is assisting with the development of a new
test method for home materials to be used in urban wildland interface areas. A
series of tests was performed recently using this new standard. To see more
information and the test report, go
HERE.
Standardized Testing
Fire Restistance Testing: Building Materials, Fire Doors, and Windows | Roof Coverings and Accelerated Weathering | Interior Coverings, Finishes, and Furnishings | Research and Development: Including New Urban Wildlife Interface Testing | Materials Properties, Ignition, and Combustibility | Accreditation |
Research and Development
Urban Wildlife Interface Testing
WFCi has been hard at work as part of the Wildland Fire Task Group developing
a new test standard to assist in preventing fires in urban wildland settings.
A recent testing series was performed in WFCi's lab using the working version of this standard. Here is a portion of the Summary of Test Method from the report detailing these tests:
Structures at the urban-wildland interface can be very vulnerable to wildfires. They may be threatened by lofted brands (embers), radiation, direct flame impingement, and combinations of these sources.
This test method is based on a protocol developed at the University of California, Berkeley, Forest Products Laboratory (UC FPL). The fire test procedure developed at UC FPL addressed three main types of systems used in building construction: 1) decks, 2) walls, eaves and gutters, and 3) roof assemblies. This method is a modification of item 2, and it determines the performance of exterior walls of structures, including siding, soffits/eaves, and gutters when exposed to a simulated urban-wildland interface fire. The UC FPL protocol as written does not have component of thermal radiation exposure for wall systems. The WFTG recommended that a hybrid test method be developed that incorporated the UC FPL Protocol for walls/eaves with the ASTM E1623 ICAL.
To see a full pdf of this test report... Click HERE to see the full test report documenting the first round of UWIT testing.
A recent testing series was performed in WFCi's lab using the working version of this standard. Here is a portion of the Summary of Test Method from the report detailing these tests:
Structures at the urban-wildland interface can be very vulnerable to wildfires. They may be threatened by lofted brands (embers), radiation, direct flame impingement, and combinations of these sources.
This test method is based on a protocol developed at the University of California, Berkeley, Forest Products Laboratory (UC FPL). The fire test procedure developed at UC FPL addressed three main types of systems used in building construction: 1) decks, 2) walls, eaves and gutters, and 3) roof assemblies. This method is a modification of item 2, and it determines the performance of exterior walls of structures, including siding, soffits/eaves, and gutters when exposed to a simulated urban-wildland interface fire. The UC FPL protocol as written does not have component of thermal radiation exposure for wall systems. The WFTG recommended that a hybrid test method be developed that incorporated the UC FPL Protocol for walls/eaves with the ASTM E1623 ICAL.
To see a full pdf of this test report... Click HERE to see the full test report documenting the first round of UWIT testing.