Fire testing capability expands with South African furnace

Large-scale load-bearing tests arrive in South Africa

Ignis Fire Testing has launched what it says is Africa’s only large-scale horizontal furnace for load-bearing fire testing.

According to Ignis, the new equipment enables the testing of full-size structural elements under both heat and pressure conditions.

The South African-based company stated that the furnace can replicate real-world scenarios by applying both fire exposure and structural loading.

Dirk Streicher, owner and chief engineer at Ignis Fire Testing, said: “This is a first for South Africa, and a big win for fire safety in our built environment.”

Ignis added that this development makes it possible to assess how critical building elements perform during a fire while bearing loads, supporting compliance with fire safety codes and informing structural design.

Understanding load-bearing fire testing

The company explained that load-bearing fire testing evaluates the structural stability of walls, beams and floors exposed to fire while carrying weight.

Unlike non-load-bearing fire resistance tests, these procedures simulate realistic fire conditions in which a building’s core supports are still under stress.

According to Stellenbosch University’s Fire Engineering Research Unit, this kind of assessment is particularly relevant for taller buildings, where failure of a supporting component could cause floor collapse and endanger evacuation and firefighting.

Richard Walls, professor of structural and fire engineering at Stellenbosch University, said: “During a fire, a loaded structural element distorts, meaning that building components can literally fall apart due to the combination of heat and force.

“Thus, testing walls and other systems under load helps us understand what would happen in a more realistic situation.

“Thus, loaded furnace tests give a more accurate assessment of a building’s components.”

The university noted that this method produces more reliable data to support safe design.

Technical specifications of the new furnace

Ignis reported that the new horizontal furnace includes an integrated system for simulating both static and pneumatic loads.

The company stated that the furnace has a 4 m-wide stainless steel exterior with ceramic wool insulation and an internal adjustable length of 3 to 5 m.

It explained that the furnace can accommodate full-scale beams and slabs for horizontal testing.

Pneumatic loading, according to Ignis Fire Testing, uses compressed air to simulate variable pressure conditions.

This approach allows for flexible and controlled application of stress to test components.

The firm added that the furnace and associated systems were designed and manufactured entirely in-house.

Services offered by Ignis Fire Testing

In addition to load-bearing tests, Ignis Fire Testing conducts a wide range of fire resistance and reaction-to-fire assessments.

The company stated that its services are aimed at both product developers and construction stakeholders seeking certification or compliance data.

Ignis described itself as the largest privately owned fire testing laboratory in Africa.

Its capabilities include vertical and horizontal testing orientations, along with custom test design and engineering support.

The firm noted that its operations are led by a multidisciplinary technical team based in South Africa.

Regional and international relevance

Ignis explained that the launch of this furnace contributes to broader fire safety improvements across the continent.

It added that its presence as a locally operated lab helps reduce dependence on overseas facilities for fire compliance testing.

According to the company, this new testing capability supports African building codes and can also assist in demonstrating compliance with international standards.

It said this could help improve construction quality and increase trust in tested products across African markets.

The company concluded that investing in this kind of infrastructure is a step towards greater regional capacity in fire safety engineering.

Fire testing capability expands with South African furnace: Summary

Ignis Fire Testing has introduced a horizontal load-bearing furnace for structural fire tests.

The company is based in South Africa and says this is the only facility of its kind in Africa.

The furnace allows full-scale walls, slabs and beams to be tested while under load and exposed to fire.

Dirk Streicher is the owner and chief engineer at Ignis Fire Testing.

Richard Walls is a professor at Stellenbosch University and provided commentary on the testing need.

The furnace uses static and pneumatic systems to simulate load conditions.

It features a 4 m width and an adjustable 3 to 5 m internal length.

Ignis conducts other fire resistance and reaction-to-fire assessments.

The facility is privately owned and based in South Africa.

The company stated the furnace was designed and built in-house by its team.