29 January 2018 (Monday) – The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Fire Protection Laboratory (FPL) is the oldest laboratory established since 1979 in the country to conduct research on wood and wood products resistance against fire for the safety and protection of lives and properties.

Mohd Radzi (far left) and other invited guests during the FPL furnace launching.

The FRIM FPL has been recognised as being First Fire Protection Laboratory by the Malaysia Book of Records on 24 September 2012.

FRIM Director General Dato’ Dr Abd Latif Mohmod said, “This laboratory has been a pioneer in the fire-performance testing of the building components in this region and the technology should be promoted for the benefits of the local industry and for the quality improvement of export products. FRIM FPL will pursue excellence and will continue to be committed in this effort.”

The FPL building at the Block D22 in the FRIM campus.

The research began after a fire occurred at the Campbell Complex, Kuala Lumpur in April 1976, resulting in the loss of over RM50 million and one death. Following the incident, the then Forest Research Institute (FRI) began its wood resistance research.

In the 1980s, the FPL had collaborated with German Organisation for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) to construct a computerised furnace. The furnace, built in line with the requirements of the European fire resistance test and the Malaysia Uniform Building By-Laws 1984, was officiated by Deputy Primary Industries Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad in 1987. In 1996, the laboratory added another smaller furnace to improve its testing services.

Samples of the fire rated door (left) and non-loaded bearing wall being tested.

Till today, the FPL offers services such as fire resistance tests for fire-rated doors, non-load bearing/partition walls and safety cabinets as well as cyclic test for fire rated doors. To date, the FPL has carried out 2,087 tests on wood products and other building materials.

The laboratory has successfully obtained the Laboratory Accreditation Scheme of Malaysia MS ISO/IEC 17025 in 2003. It is also recognised by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia and SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd (SQASI) for compliance with the MS 1073: Part 2&3: 1996 and BS 476: Part 20&22: 1987 standards.

For more information, please contact FPL Head Khairul Azmi Jabar at khairulazmi@frim.gov.my or azian@frim.gov.my.