One question, two industries
An AI data centre module and a battery energy storage container are the same kind of object: a prefabricated steel box with high-value, high-energy contents, often placed next to each other. In both cases the authority asks whether a fire inside stays inside and whether a fire next door gets in. That is a question about the fire resistance of the enclosure — and it is where testing for these two fast-growing industries meets traditional building fire resistance.
- Data centres: UL 2755 covers modular data centres, and many countries regulate occupiable data centre containers as buildings, bringing hourly fire resistance ratings for walls, roofs and doors.
- Energy storage: fire-rated enclosures and barriers are used to justify spacing under NFPA 855, and China's GB/T 44026 requires enclosure structures and partitions of prefabricated BESS cabins to resist fire for at least 1 hour.
What we test
| Element | Test methods |
|---|---|
| Wall panels with joints | UL 263, ASTM E119, EN 1364-1, ISO 834-8 |
| Roof and ceiling | UL 263, ASTM E119, EN 1364-2, EN 1365-2, ISO 834-9 |
| Doors | UL 10C, UL 10B, EN 1634-1, ISO 3008-1 |
| Penetration seals and fire stopping | GB 23864 |
| Insulation and linings | EN 13823, EN ISO 1182, EN ISO 11925-2 |
How we work
- Specimen design. Joints, penetrations, door frames and fixings are where enclosures fail. We review the drawings and choose the specimen that represents the worst case.
- Indicative test and simulation. Thermal simulation of the wall build and a smaller indicative furnace test find weaknesses before the certification test.
- Certification test. Witnessed by your certifier if needed, under our CNAS accreditation.
Deliverables
- Fire resistance test reports under CNAS accreditation
- Specimen design review: joints, penetrations, door frames
- Witnessed tests for your certifier on request
- Indicative tests and simulation before the certification test
Frequently asked questions
Why does a container need a fire resistance rating at all?
Two reasons. Many jurisdictions regulate occupiable data centre modules as buildings, so building-code fire resistance applies to the envelope. And when energy storage sits next to data centres or other equipment, a rated enclosure is how you justify reduced spacing.
Can the same wall build be tested for several markets?
Yes. The US, European and ISO fire curves differ only slightly, but the furnace pressure, instrumentation and criteria differ. We plan the specimens and test sequence to cover the markets you need with as few burns as possible.