On October 22, 2024, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, visited Tenmat’s Irlam headquarters to formally inaugurate our cutting-edge F-Lab Fire Test Centre & Training Academy.
This facility stands as a testament to Tenmat’s commitment to pioneering advancements in fire protection research and development while underscoring our dedication to growth and our ongoing investment in the Greater Manchester community.
The F-Lab
Our new F-Lab facility is designed with two main components:
“The Fire Testing Laboratory is a state-of-the-art space focused on the innovation and rigorous testing of Tenmat’s cavity fire barriers and service penetration products. Equipped with a calibrated indicative scale furnace, the lab can replicate the extreme pressures and temperatures found in real fire conditions, reaching over 1200°C. Fire resistance tests are performed here, closely aligning with the general principles of global standards to ensure Tenmat’s passive fire protection products meet the highest demands in fire safety and reliability.
“Our Training Academy provides in-depth training programs dedicated to teaching the correct installation practices for our cavity barriers and service penetration products. This academy is designed to equip installers and product specifiers with the critical knowledge and skills needed to ensure peak safety standards, supporting the entire project lifecycle from architectural planning to final build.”
Dr. Daniel Reid
Technical Director
Good for Irlam and Greater Manchester
“Visiting Tenmat’s facility and new labs today, it’s clear that this is a long-term investment which will only be good for Irlam and Greater Manchester as a whole.”
“There’s not only the economic benefit that the investment brings, but a huge social benefit here as well. It’s fantastic that some of these materials will be used in the construction of homes in Salford, improving their safety. The more we can encourage the uptake of this material, the more we can help prevent fires here and across the UK.”
Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester
Making Buildings Safer Across the UK
“It was a privilege to welcome the Mayor to our site and celebrate this significant milestone for Tenmat. With our international headquarters expanding here in Irlam, we remain dedicated to investing in Greater Manchester. The support of Mayor Burnham in our efforts is deeply meaningful. We are immensely proud to play a role in making buildings across Greater Manchester and the UK safer, and this new lab enables us to achieve that on an even larger scale.”
Dr. Kapil Chopra
CEO, Tenmat
Developing the Best Solutions for Fire Safety
“Our testing and training facility allows us to continue developing industry-leading solutions while offering comprehensive training for those responsible for selecting and installing fire protection measures—ranging from architects to on-site contractors. In the wake of the Grenfell tragedy, and with over 2,500 buildings still requiring cladding replacements, Tenmat is committed to supporting the government’s efforts to accelerate this process and ensure elevated safety standards across the industry.”
Ed Peltor
Fire Protection Managing Director
100 Years in the Making: Tenmat’s Manchester Heritage
Tenmat has proudly served as a premier passive fire protection manufacturer in Greater Manchester for over a century. Established in 1914, we operated in Trafford Park until 2023 before relocating to our Irlam headquarters, where we employ over 200 skilled workers around the clock. Our heritage extends globally, with PFC Corofil in Chessington, BrandGuard Vents in California, and Tenmat Inc in Delaware.
Committed to our local community, Tenmat continues to bring jobs, apprenticeships, and investment to the area. Our extensive range of fire protection products is widely specified in new affordable housing, ensuring a safer future for UK homes.
Investing in Safety Throughout Greater Manchester
“The materials I’ve seen demonstrated today are clearly highly effective in preventing the spread of fires within buildings, and actually should have been fitted in the past…if this material is properly fitted, the amount of fires that would be prevented, and the amount of lives that would be saved, is enormous.”
Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester
Read more about the Mayor’s visit and the issue of recladding in Greater Manchester in the Manchester Evening News article.