FIRA experts have just completed training representatives from an organisation in the Philippines to carry out flammability testing for furniture.

FIRA’s UK product testing facility, based at its headquarters in Stevenage, has been host to Victor Revilleza, Alvin F. Vardeleon and Edward Paul S. Marasigan from Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), a research and development agency under the Department of Science and Technology in the Philippines.

Having worked with FIRA previously, FPRDI recently purchased structural and flammability testing equipment from FIRA for a new testing facility on the island of Cebu and an extension to its existing laboratory in Los Banos, Laguna, which will house a new flammability test facility. FIRA are currently working with FPRDI to ensure both the Philippines operations achieve FIRA accredited laboratory status.

In order to carry out flammability testing at a new lab in the Philippines, Victor, Alvin and Edward undertook a comprehensive training programme led by FIRA’s testing experts.

Their visit also provided them with an opportunity to inspect the new bespoke testing equipment before it is shipped to the Philippines.

Phil Reynolds, COO at FIRA, says: “We were really happy to welcome our friends from the Philippines. The flammability training they received covered all aspects of testing, including cigarette and crib tests for all types of different products from seating to foam mattresses for the domestic and contract markets. We look forward to working with them in the future.”

Victor Revilleza, FFTC technical manager, says: “We are very satisfied with the training we received at FIRA. Barry Worrell, our FIRA trainer, gave us excellent explanations and demonstrations to show us how to conduct the tests which highlighted his many years of experience in the job. Every day we are exposed to different situations that require us to make decisions and we feel that our training will enable us to do this effectively.”

With sixty years of knowledge of the furniture and related industries, FIRA offers a wide range of product testing and has a proven track record in designing and manufacturing test equipment that reflects the demands of the latest furniture test standards. FIRA has worked with laboratories throughout the world to provide high quality furniture test facilities. FIRA’s worldwide network of partner laboratories includes FIRA-CMA in Hong Kong, China, and additional accredited facilities in Singapore and Malaysia.