Help Shape What’s Next for NAHB
 
Take the Industry Pulse Check. Learn more
 

Home Innovation Research Lab Opens New Fire Testing Facility

Fire
Published
Home Innovation Research Labs - Fire Lab Grand Opening

NAHB Chairman Carl Harris, Home Innovation Research Labs Chairman Don Pratt, Prince George County Councilwoman Ingrid Watson, NAHB Second Vice Chairman Bill Owens, Home Innovation Research Labs CEO Mike Luzier (l to r) at the grand opening

Home Innovation Research Labs hosted a grand opening of its new state-of-the-art fire testing facility in May 2024. The event — attended by local policymakers, NAHB Senior Officers and staff, and other influential builders, product developers and partners — spotlighted the new lab, which provides more than two dozen fire tests used to measure wall and floor ratings, flame spread, flammability, combustibility, and more.

The lab is a one-of-a-kind facility featuring seven furnaces with the most advanced technology available in the market, including the world’s first and only stainless steel large-scale vertical and horizontal furnaces. The environmental conditioning system maintains consistent conditions, guaranteeing reliable results, while the pollution control system eliminates the impact of pollution to provide the most environmentally clean testing possible.

“The construction of our new fire testing laboratory is a testament to our ongoing commitment to advancing safety and innovation in construction,” stated Mike Luzier, president and CEO of Home Innovation Research Labs, in a press release. “By providing a cutting-edge facility for research and testing, we aim to contribute significantly to the advancement of fire-resistant materials and systems, ultimately enhancing the safety and resilience of the buildings in which we live and work.”

NAHB members attending the 2024 Spring Leadership Meeting also have an opportunity to tour this facility on Monday, June 10, from 1-5 p.m. The tour, which is expected to last for approximately two hours, will include transportation to and from the Marriott Marquis DC.

Registration is limited to 50 attendees. Register now to attend.

Learn more about Spring Leadership Meeting events at nahb.org.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics | Advocacy | Membership

May 01, 2026

Podcast: What War and Fed Changes Mean for Housing Market and Economy

On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are joined by Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz to discuss the latest economic news and what it means for housing.

Codes and Standards

May 01, 2026

Rescinded Energy Code Mandate Major Win for NAHB and Housing Affordability

HUD and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week that they are rescinding a requirement that imposed the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 as the minimum energy-efficiency standards for certain single-family and multifamily housing programs.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Apr 30, 2026

U.S. Economy Rebounded in the First Quarter of 2026

Real GDP growth accelerated in the first quarter of 2026, rebounding from a weak finish at the end of 2025, as government spending recovered following a disruptive shutdown.

Economics

Apr 29, 2026

Powell’s Chair Ends but He Keeps His Board Seat

The April meeting of the Fed’s monetary policy committee featured a lot of institutional news for a month in which the Fed kept monetary policy unchanged. The outlook for the economy and monetary policy remains unclear due to geopolitical turbulence and domestic policy uncertainty.

Economics

Apr 29, 2026

Home Building Shows Signs of Stabilization with Monthly Gain in Starts

Housing construction activity strengthened in March, with a notable rebound in both single-family and multifamily starts, signaling improved builder activity despite ongoing headwinds from financing costs and affordability constraints. While the monthly gain points to renewed momentum, year-to-date trends remain mixed, particularly in the single-family sector, and permit activity suggests some caution moving forward.