Tilbury Douglas delivered Warringtonfire’s new fire resistance testing laboratory at Birchwood Park in 2024, the largest facility of its kind in Europe. Completed six weeks early and within the £40 million budget, this project sets a new benchmark for fire safety innovation, directly addressing the need for safer high-risk buildings in the wake of Grenfell.
Three key facts define its excellence:
Scale and delivery: Europe’s largest fire testing laboratory, completed ahead of schedule and on budget despite 72 client-driven design changes.
Performance and impact testing capacity has tripled, enabling faster, more rigorous certification of building systems and materials under the Building Safety Act 2022, offering greater assurance to occupiers of high-risk buildings.
Future-ready sustainability innovative, future proofed, hydrogen-ready infrastructure and advanced smoke abatement technology minimise environmental impact while aligning with the UK’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. Fitted with state-of-the-art furnaces and next-generation flame detection systems, the laboratory enables manufacturers and developers to meet and exceed the industry’s stricter regulations. By significantly expanding and modernising testing capabilities, it safeguards communities by ensuring building components perform under the most demanding conditions.
A highly collaborative delivery model, integrating construction and MEP expertise, ensured seamless incorporation of all changes without compromising safety, quality, or budget discipline.
This is more than a construction project; it is a national beacon for fire safety, redefining industry standards, advancing innovation, and strengthening the UK’s commitment to protecting lives.
Three Winning Facts:
- Ahead of schedule and budget
The facility opened early meaning increased capacity for fire testing. Delivered in just 69 weeks, six weeks ahead of programme and within the £40 budget. Despite 72 client instructions implemented mid project, the team maintained momentum with no delays, showcasing outstanding project management and collaborative problem solving. - Europe’s largest fire resistance testing facility
With tripled capacity, the new facility means that manufacturers and product developers benefit from faster certification bringing safer products to market more quickly - Innovative approach to sustainable construction
Pioneering green construction methods including no diesel powered plant, HVO fuel use, 50 trees planted delivered a Net Zero aligned facility with advanced smoke scrubbing and hydrogen ready systems.
