It's not enough that your house or establishment has fire extinguishers, adequate exits, and other life-saving equipment in case of a fire.
Building owners must also check if the materials they used in the construction pass fire-safety standards, according to authorities.
And it is to guide stakeholders on choosing the right fire-resistant materials that the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) recently opened a fire testing laboratory at its office in Los Baños, Laguna.
The laboratory is capable of evaluating the fire performance of wood and other construction materials, such as insulation, wall and ceiling components, flooring, composite products, and fire-retardant-treated products.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said target users are those in the wood-related industries, with a fee.
The facility aims to solve a long-standing problem of conducting performance tests on building materials, which previously had to be conducted overseas.
With the establishment of the laboratory in Laguna, it would be easier, faster, and more affordable to test the fire safety performance of locally-made construction materials, the FPRDI added.
The FPRDI said the facility will help manufacturers comply with safety standards, support regulatory requirements, and enhance the global competitiveness of locally-made construction products.
"By making these services available locally, we are helping manufacturers, builders, researchers, and government agencies make better decisions that ultimately protect Filipino lives," Solidum said in a statement.
Currently, the laboratory houses two specialized testing equipment that follow internationally recognized standards – the Indicative Fire Resistance Test Furnace (ASTM E119) measures how long building components can withstand fire exposure, and the Steiner Tunnel (ASTM E84), which evaluates how quickly flames and smoke spread across building materials.
Personnel training, method validation, and quality assurance are currently being done to ensure the testing services meet international standards.
FFRDI said the facility will be opened to stakeholders by July 2027.
(With report from PNA)
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