Independent Fire Safety Testing Collaboration in the UK
A landmark collaboration has been announced between the Fire Protection Association (FPA), UL Solutions, and PartB, signalling a major step forward for fire safety assurance in the UK’s built environment sector. In a period where regulatory scrutiny, innovation, and accountability are reshaping construction, the partnership aims to establish a higher standard of impartial and transparent fire testing for the industry.
The joint publication, Testing Times: a solutions-focused collaboration for UK fire testing, outlines the shared mission to address the increasing complexity of compliance, traceability, and performance verification in construction products. With the Building Safety Act and Gateway programme now fully influencing industry practice, responsibility for demonstrated fire safety integrity has never been greater. Extended liability under the Defective Premises Act also places far stronger obligations upon developers, manufacturers, and consultants alike to ensure that every product meets rigorous fire safety standards.
Under the collaboration, the FPA will provide independent fire testing within its UK-accredited laboratory, ensuring confidentiality, impartiality, and the protection of proprietary data. This responds directly to findings highlighted in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, which stressed the need for unbiased testing to restore sector-wide confidence and improve the credibility of fire performance claims.
Dr Gavin Dunn, Chief Executive of the FPA, described the initiative as a critical advancement for industry transparency. He emphasised the importance of evaluating not only standalone products, but also system combinations and junctions where many serious fire risks emerge. The collaboration brings together complementary strengths — the FPA’s independent facilities, UL Solutions’ global testing and certification experience, and PartB’s technical engineering insight — creating a holistic, solutions-led approach to verification.
UL Solutions contributes over 130 years of specialist expertise in fire testing, certification, and inspection, supporting both CE and UKCA compliance. Their involvement aims to accelerate the availability of verified data that manufacturers, designers, and contractors can rely on when specifying safe and compliant building systems. Karine Johnfroe, Vice President and General Manager of UL Solutions Built Environment group, noted that fire safety is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration across the entire sector to protect lives, buildings, and communities.
PartB continues to champion practical, non-invasive, and cost-effective engineering solutions for fire safety. Their methodology has helped clients avoid extensive remediation by using engineered approaches rather than defaulting to full system replacement. Group Chief Technical Officer Jamie Davis highlighted that the publication of the white paper reflects a commitment to raising standards, improving testing practices, and supporting a safer built environment through innovation and proportionality.
As the industry adapts to new regulatory expectations, this collaboration ensures that safety, accountability, and data-driven decision making remain front and centre. By offering reliable independent test results, the partnership aims to support a safer, greener, and more resilient future for UK buildings.
For more information please visit thefpa.co.uk
