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Ignis Fire Testing

FAQ

BURNING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Where is Ignis Fire Testing located?
Ignis Testing is based in Saxenburg Park 1, Blackheath, Kuilsrivier, Western Cape, South Africa, near Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
What are the operating hours of Ignis Fire Testing?
  • Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
What kinds of fire testing does Ignis Fire Testing conduct?
We conduct a wide range of fire safety tests, including:
  • Fire resistance tests, with vertical and horizontal furnaces, both having load-bearing facilities. These tests include:
    • Fire doors (SANS 1253 / EN 1634-1)
    • Fire dampers (SANS 193 / EN 1366-2)
    • Walls (non)-loadbearing (EN 1364-1 / EN 1365-1)
    • Floors (loadbearing) (EN 1365-2)
    • Ceilings (non-loadbearing) (EN 1364-2)
    • Penetration seals (EN 1366-3)
    • Beams (loadbearing) (EN 1365-3)
    • Intumescent paints (reactive) (EN 13381-8)
  • Reaction-to-fire tests, including:
    • Single Burning Item (SBI) tests (SANS 53823 / EN 13823)
    • Ignitability tests (SANS 11925-2 / ISO 11925-2)
    • Non-combustibility tests (SANS 10177-5)
    • Radiant Heat Source for Flooring Material (EN 9239-1)
    • Cone calorimetry (EN ISO 5660)
    • Bomb calorimetry
    • Façade tests (BS 8414-1)
  • Other tests, including:
    • Sprinkler operating temperature testing (ISO 6182-1)
    • Fire extinguisher testing (SANS 1910 / EN 3)
    • Hot box thermal conductivity testing (ASTM C1363-11)
    • Thermal insulation
    • Lithium-ion fire extinguisher tests (NTA 8133)
    • Concrete cube/cylinder compression test
    • Flexural loadbearing tests
What accreditations or standards does Ignis Fire Testing follow?
  • The laboratory meets ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
  • We use South African National Standards (SANS) for tests like SANS 10177-2 (fire resistance) and SANS 53823, etc.
  • We also adopt specific global classification standards, such as BS, EN and/or ISO standards.
What facilities and capabilities does Ignis Fire Testing have?
  • The facility is about 1500 square metres, with an 18-metre-high roof.
  • It has large-scale furnaces, small-scale testing apparatuses, and a calorimeter.
  • All hardware, software, and control systems are custom-designed and built in-house.
Does Ignis Fire Testing follow sustainable/eco-friendly practices?
Yes. We protect the environment, e.g., through rainwater harvesting, air filtering, solar power, and recycling.
Are custom or non-standard tests possible at Ignis Fire Testing?
Yes. Beyond our standard suite of fire tests, we can adapt or design tests for special enquiries. Please contact us directly for more information or to request a quotation.
What are the qualifications and expertise of Ignis Fire Testing’s staff?
  • The founder is Dirk Streicher, a registered civil engineer with over 30 years of multidisciplinary engineering experience.
  • The team includes registered mechanical, chemical, electrical, and civil engineers, as well as technical specialists like fitters, millwrights, turners, etc.
  • We also partner with Stellenbosch University’s Fire Engineering Research Unit (FireSUN), under the leadership of Prof Richard Walls, for research and development and to support students in their studies.
Who are Ignis Fire Testing’s recognised partners?
We are trusted by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to conduct fire tests and are also engaging with TIPSASA. Furthermore, we are in partnership with Stellenbosch University’s Fire Engineering Research Unit (FireSUN) for research and development, and support students doing research.
What is Ignis Fire Testing’s relationship with Stellenbosch University?
Ignis Fure Testing collaborates closely with Stellenbosch University’s Fire Engineering Research Unit (FireSUN). This partnership supports research and development in fire safety and provides opportunities for engineering students to conduct projects and gain experience in fire testing. Owner Dirk Streicher is an extraordinary faculty member and often conducts guest lectures.
What safety measures does Ignis Fire Testing follow?
Ignis Fire Testing has a designated Health and Safety (H&S) Officer who ensures compliance with all legal requirements to protect both staff and visitors. We also follow a smart design approach, meaning our premises and equipment are built with safety measures in mind. For example, our smoke extraction system, supported by an 18-metre-high roof, is designed to remove 30,000 litres of smoke per second, ensuring that the smoke layer remains at least 5 metres above floor level.

Clients viewing their tests are always accompanied by trained staff and remain within designated safety zones. Anyone who needs to move around unaccompanied must first complete a safety induction.

For health and safety reasons, clients may be escorted upstairs to continue following the test behind glass from a viewpoint should excessive smoke or other risks occur during the duration of a test. In extreme cases, tests may be stopped early if excessive smoke, hazardous fumes, explosive materials, or other risks are detected.
Does Ignis Fire Testing service international clients?
Yes. Ignis has clients from all over the world. Our laboratory meets ISO/IEC 17025 as well as EN accreditation standards, and can adopt other global standards where necessary.
How do I request a quotation?
You can request a quote here or by contacting us directly. Quotes are usually returned within a few working days.
How long is a quote valid, and is VAT included?
Quotes are valid for 14 days and are priced excluding VAT. VAT is added to the quoted rates.
Deposit required? When is the balance due?
A 50% deposit is required before submitting a sample or confirming a test date. The balance must be paid the day before the test.
How long do test results take?
Depending on workload and test type, results are issued from a few days to several weeks. Delays in submitting the required technical information by the client can also affect the report timeline. Testing and reporting will not commence until full payment has been received.
What is the basic testing process at Ignis Fire Testing?
Request a quote → receive quote → approve quote → pay deposit and send the sample → Ignis conducts the test → report is issued.
Does Ignis Fire Testing issue certificates?
No. Ignis issues a test report stating the results; it is not a certificate.
Will I receive a report if my sample fails?
Reports on failed samples are only issued on request. If a failure is due to an Ignis error, the test will be redone on a new client-supplied sample at no extra cost.
How long is a test report valid?
Five years from the test date, and only for the specific design, materials, and assembly tested.
Can a report be changed or extended?
Only Ignis Fire Testing may amend its reports. Client alterations void the report and are a criminal offence. At Ignis’s discretion, validity may be extended at additional cost if proof shows the product is exactly the same as the original tested sample.
Who supplies and delivers the test sample?
The client must supply and deliver a complete sample at their own cost.
What technical information and drawings must I provide?
Clients must provide detailed scaled CAD drawings (two cross-sections in two orthogonal planes and a front view), plus all technical information such as intumescent type, densities, models, and brand names. If Ignis Fire Testing must prepare drawings, extra costs will apply.
Do I need to specify the exposed side for the test?
Yes. The client must clearly indicate the exposed side. For non-symmetrical samples usable in both directions, two tests are required.
Who installs the specimen?
Ignis Fire Testing’s staff usually install the product, but clients are welcome to install it themselves.
May I witness the test?
Yes. Clients are encouraged to witness Ignis Fire Testing’s testing of their product to learn about failure mechanisms and improve product development. We uphold the highest confidentiality standards; therefore, no other tests may be viewed
What if there are hazardous fumes or safety issues?
Clients must notify Ignis Fire Testing if toxic fumes could be emitted at test temperatures. We also follow due diligence in this regard and will not allow a test if we suspect conditions that may violate safety standards. In extreme cases, Ignis Fire Testing may terminate a test early if there is excessive smoke, irritating fumes, explosive material, or other safety concerns. No refund is given in such cases.
What happens if my sample fails?
The client must resubmit a new sample at their cost for any failure (except where Ignis has acknowledged an error and offers a redo at no extra cost). No refunds are issued for failed or prematurely terminated tests.