FM Research Campus

Flammable, combustible, preventable

Fire, explosion, hurricane-force winds, and vibrations matching earthquake intensity are all in a day’s work at the FM Research Campus—the world’s premier center devoted to preventing physical threats from turning into real-life catastrophes.

The simulations conducted here help you prepare and protect your facilities before disaster strikes.

Each state-of-the-art laboratory focuses on a specific hazard—fire technology, natural hazards, electrical hazards and hydraulics. Experiments not only help you understand the risk—they help you visualize the risk in a safe and controlled environment. And there’s no better place for manufacturers to test products for safety and effectiveness before going to market.

Continue learning about the unique science of property loss protection.

  • Fire Sucked Into Vent

    Testing the leading cause of property loss

    Fire technology lab

    Your company can’t replicate a warehouse-size fire on demand. You’ve got our Fire Technology Laboratory for that. The lab is the centerpiece of the Research Campus, and the largest facility of its kind. Its scale enables our researchers to understand what causes structural failure, how fast fire spreads, and what sprinkler protection is needed. Multiple tests can be conducted every day, so we don’t have to wait long for results. Small labs are used for smaller-scale burn testing. Water tank and pumps can replicate any facility conditions, and a closed-loop water system is used for continuous cleaning and recycling.
  • Disaster From Earthquake

    Resisting the effects of mother nature

    Natural hazards lab

    Windstorm, flood and earthquake all pose a major threat to your property. Fight back by understanding what causes building material to fail, and the best ways to design buildings to resist the effects of Mother Nature. Our Natural Hazards Laboratory can simulate hurricane-force winds and hailstorms. A “debris cannon” can determine the impact resistance of your doors, windows and wall panels. An earthquake “shake table” replicates earthquakes of all intensities. We can even test the effects of the sun’s UV radiation on your building materials.

  • Keeping electrical ignition sources safe

    Electrical hazards lab

    If your facilities run on electricity, they’re already at risk. In fact, electrical ignition sources are one of the top three causes of fire and explosion in buildings containing flammable gas, liquid and combustible dust. In our Electrical Hazards Laboratory, we test equipment to ensure it won’t ignite dust or any type of gas during normal operation or under fault conditions. This helps you protect your properties from explosion or other catastrophic loss.
  • Hydraulics Stations

    Testing fire protection systems

    Hydraulics lab

    With the right sprinkler protection, you can prevent devastating losses due to fire. Our Hydraulics Laboratory replicates your fire protection systems and conducts tests, so you can be sure your devices will work as intended when properly installed and maintained. The lab houses both wet- and dry-lab test areas, where engineers and technicians perform various hydraulic, mechanical and environmental tests on fire protection system components and related devices, such as sprinklers, couplings and valves.