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

Land Development

Jan 30, 2026

How Can Density and Varying Housing Types Influence Local Tax Bases?

Developed in partnership with Urban3, NAHB’s new Value of Land Use Efficiency video and infographic resource takes a data-driven look at how a wide range of residential development types contribute to local tax bases relative to the public services they require.

Advocacy

Jan 29, 2026

House Closings Could be Delayed This Weekend if NFIP Lapses

A partial shutdown of the federal government would have an immediate impact on property sales, as it would cause a lapse of the National Flood Insurance Program.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jan 28, 2026

Holding Pattern for the Fed

The Fed paused its easing cycle at the conclusion of the January meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank’s monetary policy body. The Fed held the short-term federal funds rate at a top rate of 3.75%, the level set in December. This marked the first policy pause since the Fed resumed easing in September of last year.

Economics

Jan 27, 2026

State-Level Employment Situation: December 2025

With few exceptions, year-over-year nonfarm employment levels were relatively stable across states at the end of 2025, ranging from a decline of 4.2 percent to a gain of 1.8 percent. Construction employment, however, showed considerably greater dispersion, with declines of up to 9.3 percent in some states and gains approaching 9.0 percent in others.

Economics

Jan 26, 2026

Pool Permitting Falls Lower in 2025

After a rapid expansion of residential swimming pool and spa construction following the pandemic, permit levels in the latest monthly index for December fell to their lowest level since 2020.