Fire Testing Technology Ltd

What Fire Testing Technology Ltd does

Fire Testing Technology Limited (FTT), founded in 1989 in East Grinstead, UK, is the first company in the world to specialize in the design, manufacture, supply, and maintenance of reaction-to-fire testing instrumentation. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Judges Scientific PLC, a London Stock Exchange-listed scientific instruments group. The company serves manufacturers in construction products, electric cables, roofing, railway, aviation, plastics, and battery industries — each subject to mandatory fire safety compliance regimes (ISO 5660, ASTM E1354, EN 13823, EN 50399, IEC 60332-3, UL 9540A, FAR 25.856, etc.).

FTT's core technology centres on bench-scale and intermediate-scale calorimeters. The flagship iCone2+ cone calorimeter is a fully automatic, ISO 5660-1 / ASTM E1354-compliant heat release rate instrument built around a latest-generation gas analyser, improved laser mounting system, Peltier-cooled sample gas conditioning, and proprietary ConeCalc software for control, calibration, data acquisition, and results presentation. The portfolio extends to the Single Burning Item (SBI) apparatus (EN 13823), NBS Smoke Density Chamber, Flooring Radiant Panel (EN ISO 9239-1 / ASTM E648), Oxygen Index apparatus, FAA Micro Calorimeter, Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter, Non-Combustibility furnace (EN ISO 1182), bunched-cables rig (EN 50399), Cone Corrosimeter, Roofing test apparatus (ENV 1187), Single-Flame Source Test, Radiant Panel Flame Spread apparatus, and FTIR toxicity gas analysis systems. A newly introduced LED White Light Smoke Measurement System (December 2024) replaces traditional halogen photometric sources across multiple test platforms.

Revenue mechanics rest on (i) hardware sales of instruments typically procured on a quote basis against accredited laboratory CapEx budgets, (ii) a tiered recurring service program (Bronze, Silver, Gold) providing annual telephone/email support, on-site visits, discounted spares and labour (5/10/15%), calibration discounts, software updates, and — at the Gold tier — rotational calibration with replacement transducers and software upgrades, and (iii) software updates issued under the same major release at no charge. Go-to-market runs through a worldwide distribution network covering 45+ countries, supplemented by direct enterprise sales via the company website, a multilingual web presence (EN, DE, ES, ZH, JA), and a recently opened USA branch (December 2024). ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications underpin the company's quality and environmental management systems.

Name

Fire Testing Technology Ltd

Legal name

Fire Testing Technology Limited

Website

https://fire-testing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Fire Testing Technology Ltd (FTT) designs, manufactures, and services reaction-to-fire testing instrumentation — including the iCone2+ cone calorimeter, SBI, smoke chambers, and radiant panels — serving accredited laboratories and manufacturers in construction, cable, railway, aviation, and battery industries across 45+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Testing Instrumentation

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire & Life Safety Services (Inspection/Testing/Sprinklers/Alarms) (IMAIAAAI)

Keywords

• Fire testing instruments
• Cone calorimeters
• Reaction-to-fire testing
• Smoke density chambers
• Fire safety instrumentation

Headquarters

HQ city

East Grinstead

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fire Testing Instrumentation Sales: Sale of reaction-to-fire testing instruments including cone calorimeters, large-scale calorimeters, NBS smoke chambers, and oxygen index apparatus. Instruments are supplied with software at no extra charge
2. Service and Maintenance Contracts: Global instrument service and support programs (Gold, Silver, Bronze tiers) offering telephone/email support, on-site visits, discounts on spares and labour, calibration discounts, software updates and upgrades, and rotational calibration
3. Software Updates and Upgrades: Software updates (same major release) provided free of charge. Software upgrades (between major release numbers) included in Silver and Gold service programs
4. Spares and Replacement Parts: Replacement transducers and spare parts available with discounts for service program members

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Fire Testing Technology Ltd (FTT) designs, manufactures, supplies, and services reaction-to-fire testing instrumentation for laboratory use. Its core product line centres on the iCone series of cone calorimeters (iCone2+, iCone mini, iCone classic) for heat release rate measurement, complemented by NBS Smoke Density Chambers, Single Burning Item (SBI), Flooring Radiant Panel, Oxygen Index Apparatus, Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter, and specialised rigs for cables, roofing, aviation, and battery testing. Instruments are sold globally with proprietary software (ConeCalc, NonComb) included, backed by tiered Gold/Silver/Bronze service and maintenance programs.

Product overview

Fire Testing Technology Ltd (FTT) is a fire testing instrumentation manufacturer established in 1989, offering a comprehensive portfolio of reaction-to-fire testing equipment. The core product line centres on the iCone series of cone calorimeters (iCone2+, iCone mini, iCone classic) which are the primary bench-scale instruments for heat release rate measurement. Supporting products include the Single Burning Item (SBI) for building product classification, NBS Smoke Density Chamber, Flooring Radiant Panel, Oxygen Index Apparatus, Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter, and various cable, roofing, and aviation fire testing equipment. All instruments are supplied with proprietary FTT software (ConeCalc, NonComb) at no extra charge, with free software updates. FTT also offers optional accessories including LED Smoke Density Photometric Systems, FTIR toxicity test systems, controlled atmosphere systems, and corrosimetry equipment. The company provides global service and support programs (Bronze, Silver, Gold tiers) and has opened a new branch in the USA to expand its global presence across 45+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iCone2+: Most advanced cone calorimeter in the world - compact, robust, easy-to-use, fully automatic with improved serviceability and latest generation gas analyser
• iCone mini
• iCone classic
• ConeCalc
• Single Burning Item (SBI)

Products and services

• iCone2+ Cone Calorimeter The most advanced cone calorimeter in the world, featuring compact design, fully automatic operation, improved serviceability, improved laser mounting system, and latest generation gas analyser. Measures heat release rate per ISO 5660 and ASTM E1354 for construction, cable, aviation and other materials manufacturers.
• iCone mini Calorimeter Semi-automatic cone calorimeter with a separate gas analysis rack. Compliant with ISO 5660, ASTM E1354, ASTM E1474, ASTM E1740, ASTM F1550, ASTM D6113, CAN ULC 135 and BS 476 Part 15. Features remote-controlled cone assembly positioning, programmable heat flux exposure, and motorised heat shield.
• iCone classic Calorimeter Semi-automatic cone calorimeter with the gas analysis console fixed on the instrument main frame. Compliant with ISO 5660, ASTM E1354, ASTM E1474, ASTM E1740, ASTM F1550, ASTM D6113, CAN ULC 135 and BS 476 Part 15; replaced the FTT Standard Cone.
• Single Burning Item (SBI) EN 13823 compliant test apparatus determining reaction to fire behaviour of building products (excluding floorings) when exposed to a single burning item sand-box burner supplied with propane. Required to classify non-flooring products into Euroclasses A2, B, C and D.
• NBS Smoke Density Chamber Instrument for determining the smoke generated by solid materials. Used in conjunction with fire testing equipment for measuring smoke density per NBS smoke chamber standards.
• Flooring Radiant Panel Test Apparatus EN ISO 9239-1 and ASTM E648 compliant apparatus measuring the critical radiant flux of horizontally arranged floor covering systems exposed to an ignition flame in a standardised radiant heat environment. Used for fire classification of floorings in the EU.
• Oxygen Index Apparatus Apparatus for determining flammability by oxygen index, measuring the minimum oxygen concentration needed to support combustion of a material.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cone Calorimeters deployed in over 45 countries globally
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Netzsch Group: German-based manufacturer of thermal analysis and fire testing instrumentation, including cone calorimeters and reaction-to-fire equipment aligned to EN/ISO standards. Directly comparable product overlap (cone calorimetry, SBI/NBS smoke chambers) and similar accredited-laboratory customer base.
• Instron (Illinois Tool Works): Materials testing instrument manufacturer with flammability/oxygen-index product lines targeting the same regulated testing labs as FTT. Comparable B2B equipment sales model, similar standards-driven replacement cycle.
• Atlas Material Testing Solutions (Ametek): Manufacturer of weathering, fire, and material exposure testing instruments serving construction, transportation, and aerospace end markets. Comparable fire testing instrumentation portfolio and laboratory-customer overlap.
• ZwickRoell: Materials and flammability testing equipment maker selling into industrial and construction-product QC laboratories. Comparable instrument-based recurring-revenue model and standards-led product roadmap.
• Tinius Olsen: Specialist mechanical and flammability testing instrument manufacturer with comparable vertical integration in laboratory instruments. Direct overlap in standards-aligned fire testing equipment for accredited labs.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Rheinland: Global testing, inspection, and certification services group that both buys instrumentation (like FTT's) and operates competing in-house testing laboratories. Broad incumbent across the same regulatory perimeter FTT serves.
• Intertek: Major TIC (testing, inspection, certification) services group with wide vertical coverage including construction products, cables, and aerospace fire testing. Adjacent buyer of FTT's instruments and broader competitor for the underlying compliance work.
• UL LLC (Underwriters Laboratories): Standards-setting body and testing services operator that both defines fire safety methods FTT instruments follow and runs competing laboratories. Strategically important counterpart on both demand and standards sides.
• SGS SA: Global TIC services conglomerate with broad industrial and consumer product fire testing capability. Indirect peer through the same end-customer compliance ecosystem that drives demand for FTT's equipment.

Others

• Mettler-Toledo: Premium analytical and laboratory instrument manufacturer with adjacent offerings in calorimetry and precision measurement. Indirect comparator on business model (high-precision lab instruments with recurring service) rather than direct product overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fire-testing-technology

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fire Testing Technology Ltd