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 | Housing Affordability

May 21, 2026

Housing Affordability Edges Up in First Quarter but Challenges Persist

While housing affordability remains out of reach for millions of Americans, particularly first-time and entry-level buyers, conditions have improved modestly in the last year, according to the latest data from the NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI). The CHI results from the first quarter of 2026 show that a family earning the nation’s median income of $106,800 needed 32% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home.

Economics

May 21, 2026

Single-Family Starts Fall Amid Economic Uncertainty and Affordability Pressures

Overall housing starts decreased 2.8% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.47 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

May 21, 2026

Single-Family Starts Fall Amid Economic Uncertainty and Affordability Pressures

Single-family housing starts declined in April as builders faced continued economic uncertainty and affordability challenges, including higher construction costs, ongoing labor shortages and elevated financing expenses. The latest housing starts and permits data suggest that the overall construction pipeline remains uneven across regions and property types.

Economics

May 21, 2026

Housing Affordability Edges Up in First Quarter but Challenges Persist

While housing affordability remains out of reach for millions of Americans, particularly first-time and entry-level buyers, conditions have improved modestly in the last year, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI).

Economics

May 20, 2026

What It Takes to Leave Parental Home

As of 2024, one in five adults aged 25-34 lives with parents or in-laws. NAHB’s analysis of the latest American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) evaluates a wide range of socioeconomic and demographic factors that shape young adults’ path to independence.