At the FM Research Campus, full‑scale simulations—from fire and explosion to hurricane‑force winds and earthquake‑level vibrations—help clients visualize and understand risk. State‑of‑the‑art laboratories safely test hazards to prepare facilities before disasters strike. These immersive experiments turn complex threats into clear, actionable insights. Learn more here.
Here's a glimpse of what you'll experience:
Fire technology lab
The lab is the centerpiece of the Research Campus and the largest facility of its kind. Its scale allows our researchers to study the causes of structural failure, the speed at which fire spreads, and the necessary sprinkler protection. The water tanks and pumps can replicate any facility conditions, and a closed-loop water system is employed for continuous cleaning and recycling.
Natural hazards lab
Windstorms, floods, and earthquakes pose significant threats to your property. Combat these risks by learning what causes building materials to fail and discovering the best design strategies to make buildings resilient against the forces of nature. Our natural hazards laboratory can simulate hurricane-force winds and hailstorms. A "debris cannon" tests the impact resistance of doors, windows, and wall panels, while an earthquake "shake table" replicates earthquakes of all intensities.
Electrical hazards lab
Electrical ignition sources rank among the top three causes of fires and explosions in buildings that contain flammable gases, liquids, and combustible dust. In our electrical hazards laboratory, we test equipment to ensure it does not ignite dust or any type of gas during normal operation or under fault conditions.
Hydraulics lab
This lab replicates fire protection systems and conducts tests to ensure that your devices will function as intended when properly installed and maintained. It features 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.