At WHP Trainingtowers™ we build the longest lasting fire training towers on the market. It all started back in 1980 when Bernie Padgett founded Werner-Herbison-Padgett, a large Chicago construction company. Mr. Padgett had a reputation for quality, integrity, and customer service. He soon saw a need for a fire training building that could withstand repetitive uses in a harsh environment and an array of climates. He introduced the FIRST ever metal fire training tower to the market.
In 1997, when retired fire chief William Jahnke purchased the company. He brought nearly three decades of firefighting knowledge and over 45 years of construction management experience with him. This specific combination of skills made him uniquely qualified to not just build fire training towers but to build fire training towers that met the specific needs of the fire service industry.
Over the years at WHP Trainingtowers™ we have made many improvements to the fire training towers revolutionizing the industry and dominating the market worldwide. Forty five years later, WHP TrainingtowersTM is known for designing and building training towers that excel in durability, flexibility, and longevity. These towers set the standard for the entire industry.
WHP Trainingtowers™ stands apart in the industry due to our commitment to quality and durability. From the materials used to the engineering techniques employed, every aspect of our towers is designed to withstand the test of time. Some standout features include:
Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel: Unlike panels sprayed with galvanizing material, WHP Trainingtowers'™ panels are hot-dipped into a galvanizing bath, ensuring complete bonding and superior resistance to rust and corrosion. These structures adhere to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A123 standards, guaranteeing over 50 years of durability before requiring maintenance.
An essential component of any fire training facility is the burn room, where firefighters can practice real-life scenarios and hone their skills. A burn room is only as effective as the insulating material selected to protect the structure.
Over the years we have made improvements to the original Padgenite panels. The latest was in 2020 when we introduced our Padgenite Interlock™ System. Now our Padgenite™ burn panels fit in a grid system. With its built-in air space, this newest system offers even better insulation, protecting the tower from the intense heat of repetitive fires. It insulates so effectively that you can touch the outside metal of a WHP Trainingtowers™ building while burning with no discomfort.
Our training towers must withstand the normal abuse any building takes from the elements, but besides what Mother Nature throws at it, it is also constantly exposed to water during training sessions. A long-lasting fire training tower requires superior protection from water. We combat this in two different ways.
Our panels, steel railings, stairs, and ladders undergo a hot-dipped galvanization process, providing a protective coating of zinc that prevents premature rust and corrosion. WHP Trainingtowers™ galvanized steel structures exceed the strict standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), boasting an impressive 50-year mark on the “time to first maintenance” (TFM) chart. Even our rappelling anchors are upgraded to forged, hot-dipped galvanized swivel-style anchors for enhanced durability and safety.
Our fire training tower building process begins with the erection of the internal framework of structural cees and floor joists. Structural panels are attached to the structural cees and joined together with 3/8″ diameter bolts (each able to support 1,400 pounds) at 6″ intervals. Seams are sealed with top quality elastomeric strip caulking, making the building weathertight, and virtually light-tight. No other training tower provider routinely seals each and every seam.
Obviously, our fire towers are superior when it comes to strength and durability. But that’s not how you revolutionize an industry. Innovation is where WHP TrainingtowersTM really shines. Over the last four and a half decades, our engineers have constantly looked for ways to improve strength, durability, flexibility, and safety. They talk to firefighters in the field to find out what they need, where problems or challenges lie, and how we can fill those needs. That’s how we created our MODx modular fire training tower.
Innovation is the secret to our success. Instead of sticking with the industry norms like concrete training towers, static designs, and existing challenges, we strive to predict what will be needed next and meet and exceed that need. Here is a highlight reel of the innovations that have kept us at the forefront of our industry for over four decades:
Bernie Padgett founded Werner-Herbison-Padgett, and introduced the FIRST ever metal fire training tower to the market.
Werner-Herbison-Padgett introduced the FIRST high-temperature, thermal insulating burn room panels, specifically for fire training.
Our exclusive two-part framing system, 18-gauge steel, fully galvanized stairs and railings, and custom-designed buildings made our towers the best in the industry.
Our unique proprietary Padgenite Super HD™ thermal lining system is the 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.
Introduced concrete floors throughout the entire structure for increased durability and longevity.
Redesigned shutters doubling the thickness of the steel and adding a hardware package operable from both inside and out.
We made hot-dipped galvanized standards on all stairs, railings, ladders, and other fabricated components lowering maintenance and increasing longevity.
Upgraded rappelling anchors to forged hot-dipped galvanized swivel-style anchors for increased safety and capacity.
Upgraded maze system to function without ceiling tracks increasing the usable maze area to the entire structure allowing for flexible training scenarios.
WHP Trainingtowers™ designed the first fully integrated hazmat (hazardous materials) training facility for the Los Angeles County Fire Department. WHP Trainingtowers™ manufactures over a dozen hazmat props for realistic training.
Upgraded hollow metal doors to plate steel doors and continuous hinges increasing the durability and reducing maintenance.
Introduced permanent waterproofing components to concrete floor decks reducing maintenance and increasing the structure's lifespan.
At WHP Trainingtowers™, we are proud of four decades of enhancing firefighter training and safety. From quote to completion, we make it as easy as possible for fire departments around the world to provide realistic training for their firefighters.
Padgenite Interlock™ panels are attached to metal mounting channels which allow for an additional insulating air space between the panels and the walls of the building increasing the longevity of our buildings.
As you can see, ours has been a journey of continuous improvement and innovation. Each tower we construct is a testament to our relentless pursuit of quality. “We simply never rest. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our products either by making them more durable, more practical, more affordable, or safer,” said Joe Kirchner, COO.
Every new fire training tower starts out looking great, but its true value is revealed over time. WHP Trainingtowers™ are built to last a lifetime—and they do. Our first fire training tower, constructed in 1980 in Kotzebue, Alaska, is still in active use today, 45 years later! WHP Trainingtowers™ is more than a provider of fire training structures; we are a partner in firefighter preparedness. By combining cutting-edge engineering, firefighter expertise, and a commitment to quality, WHP Trainingtowers™ delivers training environments that empower first responders to be prepared for anything.
At WHP TrainingtowersTM we design our towers to last a lifetime. By refusing to cut corners or compromise on quality, we ensure that our towers offer the lowest life cycle cost and the greatest longevity, providing fire departments with the best value in fire training towers. Don’t let your money go up in smoke. When it comes to quality and durability, demand the best. Demand WHP TrainingtowersTM. To learn more, call 1-800-351-2525 or contact us online.