At WHP Trainingtowers™, we constantly look for ways to improve our product to make fire training towers better and safer. Since the company was founded in 1980, we have continuously brought better solutions to the industry. We started with Padgenite I™ – a calcium-silicate-based thermal lining system that provided the best balance of durability and thermal protection. Then we developed Padgenite Super™ in 2002. Today, we are proud to raise the bar once again with our new, patent-pending Padgenite Interlock™ system.
“We’ve always utilized a calcium-silicate-based thermal lining system and we still do,” said Executive Vice President of Operations, Joe Kirchner. “But as materials and machining technologies have evolved, we were able to create an even more durable and safer system.”
Interlocking Tiles Replace Larger Panels
Five years ago we started developing this tile system to improve on the current Padgenite Super™ panelized system we had created. The older system has 2’ x 4’ panels that have increased maintenance and inspection requirements. With our new Padgenite Interlock™ system, we used modern material science technology to design a format of 15 x 15-inch interlocking tiles. All four sides are grooved to interlock creating a tighter thermal barrier, thus preventing heat from penetrating the tiles. This new system offers several benefits over previous systems.
Benefits of Padgenite Interlock™ System
More Durable
We increased the durability of the surface of the tiles. The new tiles have a surface hardness measurement of 80 vs. Padgenite Super™ which has a hardness rating of 74. This means that the new tiles can offer long-term resistance to wear, abrasion, and hose streams. The harder surface also makes the walls more impact resistant so they are less likely to crack.
Less Thermal Transfer
Padgenite Interlock™ is 25% less dense than Padgenite Super™, reducing thermal transfer (making it harder for heat to absorb and pass through it). This feature offers more protection for the structure behind the Padgenite™ walls, extending the lifespan of the structure itself.
Grid System
The grid structure of the system allows it to be fastened to studs, concrete, or masonry – and lets the user change the depth for air space. The grid structure offers a flexible air gap of 1.5 to 3 inches. Because air has an incredibly low thermal mass, the dead air space protects the walls and ceiling behind the grid by dissipating the intense heat of a fire.
Continuous Temperature
The fire department monitors temperatures in both training and live fires. They won’t send a firefighter in if it’s not safe. All of our Padgenite Interlock™ tiles are over-designed to withstand extreme temperatures. This provides a high safety factor for firefighters in training environments. Once again, this gives added protection to the structure of the training building. We’re proud of our history of providing fire training towers designed for longevity and low maintenance.
Realistic Training Conditions
Our Padgenite Interlock™ system also creates the most realistic fire conditions. Other thermal lining systems are made of metal or refractory concrete which reflects heat differently. Padgenite™ reacts much more like drywall, which is found in most structures in real-world conditions.
WHP Trainingtowers™ Make Firefighting Safer
Although firefighting techniques have changed, over the past 40 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. “I’ve been with WHP for [over] 19 years. We’re constantly working to make communities safer by developing better materials for firefighters to use in their training,” Kirchner shared. “Knowing I’m providing for firefighter training and making communities safer is extremely rewarding.”
