Behind the scenes at LPCB: opening the doors to fire and security testing

With over 150 years of history, you would be forgiven for thinking we rarely get the opportunity to do things for the first time.

However, the opposite is often true: whether we’re helping create standards from scratch, testing innovative products, or working in new markets with new customers. In that vein of new things, March 2026 saw us bring something a little different to our testing facility in Watford.

We opened our doors to the public… By public, we mean a skilled group of journalists and online creators.

Given an exclusive behind-the-scenes day, our attendees had the chance to see firsthand how fire and security products are tested, certified, and trusted for real-world use.

The day was designed to give an immersive look inside a part of the built environment that goes unnoticed but is integral to ensuring people and assets are safe and protected in day-to-day life.

The visit brought together live demonstrations, guided tours and conversations with LPCB experts, allowing visitors to explore the science, scale and rigour behind testing and certification.

Throughout the day, attendees experienced demonstrations ranging from fire suppression and sprinkler testing, physical security and forced entry demonstrations, to fire detection and alarm system testing, and technical lab environments. Each demonstration helped bring to life how products are assessed under strict, defined conditions, reflecting scenarios that matter in homes, workplaces, public buildings and critical infrastructure.

One of the central themes of the day was trust. The systems that protect buildings are often only noticed when something goes wrong, yet their performance depends on careful design, robust testing, and independent certification. Through its testing procedures, LPCB provides specifiers, building owners, installers, and wider industry stakeholders with the confidence that approved products have been rigorously assessed.

Expert insight also formed a key part of the programme. Attendees got time to speak with LPCB specialists, ask questions and capture interviews, creating space for both technical explanation and human-led storytelling. This meant the day was not only about equipment, tests and standards, but also about the people behind them: the engineers, testers and certification experts whose work contributes to safer environments.

The LPCB’s experts are some of the globe’s most talented and knowledgeable fire and security specialists, so giving them a moment to share their insights provided an invaluable experience.

The demonstrations also highlighted how varied our work has become. Fire suppression testing illustrated how sprinkler systems operate under fire conditions, while physical security testing explored resistance to forced entry against various tools, including hammers, chisels, and chainsaws. Detection testing underlined the importance of speed in alerting people and limiting damage, and technical facilities such as EMC and specialist lab environments showed the breadth of capability required to assess modern products.

It’s important that we share our crucial work with audiences from outside the fields of the built environment. It was an immensely successful day, enjoyed by our teams and visitors alike, and we’re grateful to have so many unique professional and amateur enthusiasts take an interest in the important work we do across the globe.