The UK construction landscape has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. There is now a clear and necessary shift toward safer, more resilient building systems – particularly within the residential sector. As regulatory expectations around fire safety continue to rise, the importance of robust fire testing has never been greater.
As a specialist in light steel frame solutions, Frameclad has successfully conducted over 60 fire tests to date, with ongoing programmes in place to expand test data across a wider range of products and configurations.
UK milestone in floor penetration fire testing
Carried out at Element Materials Technology, under Warringtonfire Testing and Certification Limited’s flexible scope of UKAS accreditation, this is understood to be the first test of its kind conducted using light steel frame (LSF) floor construction in the UK.
Utilising Quelfire products and systems, the light steel frame floor assembly incorporated six different service penetration types, each sealed using a different Quelfire passive fire protection system. These included multiple pipework penetrations of varying sizes, as well as cable penetrations, each configured with a unique combination of Quelfire fire‑stopping products to assess performance across a range of real‑world scenarios.
Outstanding results across all six specimens
Despite each of the six penetration sealing systems employing a distinct product and installation methodology, the fire test results were uniformly exceptional. The structural integrity of each specimen was maintained for 98 minutes, with the test discontinued after a period of 99 minutes – comfortably exceeding the 90-minute classification threshold. At no point during the test duration were any visible signs of fire penetration or damage observed on the unexposed (upper) face of the floor assembly. The results demonstrate that all six Quelfire penetration sealing systems can maintain compartmentation within a light steel frame floor construction under full fire exposure conditions.
Trusted partner
Martin Jamieson and Nik Teagle, Joint Managing Directors of Frameclad said: “Independent, third-party tests and certifications from fire test centres offer a clear benchmark for performance under fire conditions and help our technical team ensure that our light steel frame systems specified, particularly for higher-risk buildings – are fit for purpose. As the construction industry leans into the challenges of fire safety, Frameclad stands as a trusted partner – delivering high-performance, accredited and innovative solutions that protect people, property and investment.”
Fire Test First Webinar
Join technical experts Martin Jamieson and Mohandoss Vellaichamy from Frameclad, alongside Building Learning, for an exclusive CPD-accredited live webinar exploring the vital role of fire testing in light steel frame construction.
Attendees will gain practical, real-world insights into fire performance, system design, testing methodologies, and the critical role of evidence-based testing in delivering safe, compliant, and future-ready construction.
Secure your place today: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/fire-test-first
