At WHP Trainingtowers™, we have transformed firefighter training with industry-leading innovation. Since our founding in 1980, we’ve taken great pride in being at the forefront of fire training tower design and construction. Our commitment to quality, safety, and performance has earned us a trusted place in fire departments around the world. Over the decades, we’ve introduced dozens of advancements that help firefighters train harder, smarter, and safer.
One of the most groundbreaking innovations to come out of WHP Trainingtowers’™ long history is our proprietary Padgenite™ burn panels—a thermal lining system designed to stand up to the intense heat and rugged use of live fire training. From the earliest iteration to our most recent breakthrough, Padgenite™ has evolved to become the gold standard in burn room panel technology.
The Birth of Padgenite™
Back in the early 1980s, the idea of fire-specific thermal lining materials was still in its infancy. WHP Trainingtowers’™ founders—Werner, Herbison, and Padgett—saw a significant need in the industry for a thermal barrier that could withstand repeated burns without breaking down.
That’s when the original Padgenite I™ was born. A fire training game changer, this calcium-silicate-based panel offered the perfect blend of durability and heat resistance. Unlike metal linings that conducted heat or refractory concrete that cracked under stress, Padgenite I™ provided a consistent, safe thermal lining option that transformed the way fire training burn rooms were built.
It was the first high-temperature, thermal insulating burn room panel created specifically for firefighter training, and it quickly became a standard in WHP Trainingtowers’ burn room construction. These early Padgenite™ panels offered departments something they had never seen before—a product that mimicked real-world heat conditions while protecting the structure behind the walls.
Super Padgenite HD™Raised the Bar on Burn Room Safety
In 2002, WHP Trainingtowers™ raised the bar once again by developing Super Padgenite HD™, a high-density upgrade to the original formula. This next-generation panel was even tougher and more heat-resistant than its predecessor.
Super Padgenite HD™ became the go-to lining for departments that wanted a heavy-duty solution capable of withstanding the physical abuse of regular training burns. Its increased density improved thermal protection, while also resisting wear and tear from impact and hose streams.
These burn panels not only lasted longer but offered enhanced safety for trainees and reduced maintenance headaches for departments. Super Padgenite HD™ proved that innovation doesn’t stop with the first success—it evolves with every challenge.
Padgenite Interlock™ – A Technological Leap Forward
In 2020, we took yet another leap forward with our most advanced system yet: Padgenite Interlock™. This breakthrough came as a result of years of testing, customer feedback, and advancements in material science.
The previous panel system consisted of large, 2’ x 4’ panels that required routine inspections and had limitations when it came to heat retention and structural stress. With Padgenite Interlock™, instead of large sheets, the new 15” x 15” interlocking tiles are grooved on all four sides, allowing them to snap into place with one another like puzzle pieces. This tight interlocking system creates a continuous thermal barrier, minimizing hot spots and maximizing safety inside the burn room.
Padgenite Interlock™ System Features
- Highly durable, low maintenance insulation
- Protects metal, masonry, concrete
- Class A or gas simulator fires
- New construction, retro-fit, or repair for damaged buildings
- Realistic “dry-wall” appearance
- Works well with thermal imaging cameras
- No “drying out period” between uses
- No fire placement restrictions within room
- No freeze/thaw issues
- Asbestos-free, calcium silicate product
- Does not support mold growth or absorb water
Padgenite Interlock™Benefits
A live fire training facility is only as effective as its burn room. A burn room is only as effective as the insulating material selected to protect the structure – burn after burn, year after year. Our unique proprietary Padgenite Super HD™ thermal lining system is the ONLY UL listed burn room panel and highest density board offered on the market, making it the most durable and quality consistent burn room panel offered in a thermal lining system to date. The new Padgenite Interlock™ system provides a stronger, more durable, and most importantly, safer product for firefighter training. Additionally, by protecting the structure from excessive heat, we increase the longevity of our buildings and provide better value for the firefighters who train in them. The unique features of the Padgenite Interlock™ system offers a host of benefits:
1. Improved Durability
Each tile in the Interlock system has a surface hardness rating of 80—a noticeable jump from the Super Padgenite HD™ rating of 74. That means they’re even more resistant to:
- Cracking from repeated impact
- Surface abrasion from hose streams
- Long-term wear and tear from daily use
This harder surface translates directly into lower maintenance costs and longer-lasting performance, which is especially important for high-volume training centers.
2. Superior Thermal Protection
Padgenite Interlock™ is 25% less dense than its predecessor, which might sound like a downgrade—but it’s actually a major upgrade. Lower density means the material conducts less heat. In other words, less thermal transfer occurs, and more of the heat is contained within the panel surface—not passed through to the structure behind it. This significantly enhances the safety and structural longevity of your fire training tower. Fires burn hot—but Padgenite Interlock™ keeps that heat where it belongs.
3. Innovative Grid System with Flexible Air Gap
The interlock system is installed on a mounting grid that can be fastened to studs, concrete, or masonry. Between the tiles and the structure is a flexible air gap ranging from 1.5 to 3 inches. Because air has an extremely low thermal mass, this dead air space acts as a natural insulator, helping to dissipate heat before it ever reaches your structure’s walls or ceiling.
This thoughtful design helps:
- Extend the lifespan of the training building
- Maintain structural integrity over repeated burns
- Reduce the risk of heat damage to underlying surfaces
4. Designed for Realistic Fire Behavior
Unlike other burn panel systems that use metal or refractory concrete (which reflect or radiate heat unrealistically), Padgenite™ behaves more like the drywall you’d find in a typical residential or commercial structure. This realism matters. It helps firefighters train in environments that look and feel like the real thing—and that means better preparation when the real calls come in.
5. Built for Versatility and Retrofits
Whether you’re building a new tower or updating an old one, Padgenite Interlock™ was designed to fit your needs. It can be used in:
- New construction
- Retrofitting existing WHP Trainingtowers™ towers
- Metal containers
- Concrete buildings
- Custom burn room conversions
With no fire placement restrictions, no drying out period, and no freeze-thaw issues, Padgenite Interlock™ performs reliably under all conditions.
Real Training. Real Safety.
When it comes to firefighter training, realism matters—but so does safety. That’s why Padgenite™ panels are engineered to simulate authentic fire conditions while offering maximum protection for your structure and your personnel.
By using a temperature monitoring system, instructors can track real-time heat levels during training burns, ensuring the environment is both challenging and safe. And thanks to the durability of the Interlock system, your facility remains in top shape with minimal maintenance.
Retrofit Your Existing Burn Room with Padgenite™
Don’t have a WHP training tower? No problem. Padgenite Interlock™ can be retrofitted into nearly any structure—giving you the full benefits of modern fire training technology without the cost of building a new facility from scratch.
Our retrofit process includes:
- Installing a custom grid system
- Creating a flexible thermal air gap
- Mounting Padgenite™ battens and interlocking tiles
- Ensuring seamless integration into your existing infrastructure
It’s a cost-effective way to level up your training capabilities while staying within budget. You don’t have to choose between quality and affordability—Padgenite Interlock™ delivers both.
Environmentally Friendly by Design
In addition to performance and safety, WHP Trainingtowers™ is committed to sustainability. Padgenite™ burn panels are:
- Asbestos-free
- Non-toxic
- Moisture resistant
- Mold resistant
- Low emission during burns
They don’t absorb water or support mold growth and are safe to use across a range of environmental conditions. This makes them a smart choice not just for your facility—but for your community and the planet.
A Passion for Firefighter Safety
Padgenite™ has come a long way since its early days, but its mission has stayed the same: provide the safest, most effective fire training environment possible. At WHP Trainingtowers™, we’re proud of our long history of innovation and safety.
“I’ve been with WHP for over 20 years,” said Joe Kirchner, Executive Vice President of Operations. “We’re constantly working to make communities safer by developing better materials for firefighters to use in their training. Knowing I’m providing for firefighter training and making communities safer is extremely rewarding.”
That passion for safety drives everything we do—from the very first prototype of Padgenite™ to the cutting-edge Padgenite Interlock™ system we offer today. We believe that a burn room is more than a burn room—it’s a life-saving classroom.
The Best Burn Panels on the Market
Although firefighting techniques have changed, over the past 45 years Padgenite™ calcium-silicate-based systems have evolved to meet the demands of modern firefighting. The new Padgenite Interlock™ system provides a stronger, more durable, and most importantly, safer product for firefighter training. Our Padgenite Interlock™ system’s powerful combination of realism, durability, and safety, make it an invaluable tool for any fire department. Whether you’re retrofitting a current facility or building new from the ground up, Padgenite Interlock™ burn panel systems deliver performance you can count on in any fire training tower or facility.
To learn more about WHP Trainingtowers™ Padgenite Interlock™ system, and how we can help you build or retrofit the best burn room in the industry call 1-800-351-2525 or visit us online.
