IIT Tirupati Partners with Aadit Fire Testing Laboratory to Strengthen Fire Safety Research for High-Rise Buildings
Chennai: As India’s urban skylines continue to rise in its journey towards Viksit Bharat, fire safety in high-rise buildings has emerged as a critical national priority. With conventional firefighting systems often facing limitations in accessing fires at higher elevations, experts are increasingly underscoring the importance of fire-resistant structural design and effective fire compartmentalisation at the construction stage itself.
Addressing this challenge, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chennai-headquartered Aadit Fire Testing Laboratory, a state-of-the-art fire testing facility, to undertake advanced research on the impact of fire on building structures and construction materials.
Under the collaboration, Aadit Fire Testing Laboratory will function as IIT Tirupati’s partner laboratory for fire testing, providing access to its advanced infrastructure and testing facilities. IIT Tirupati will contribute its academic and technical expertise to analyse and interpret research outcomes related to the fire performance of structural systems, including steel and reinforced concrete.
The partnership aims to generate actionable research insights that can support India’s construction, infrastructure, and real estate sectors, contributing to improved building codes, enhanced material performance standards, and more resilient fire-safe design practices.
“In today’s high-rise urban environments, fires can escalate internally well before external firefighting intervention becomes effective,” said P. Jothi Ramalingam Ponnusamy, Director, Aadit Fire Testing Laboratory. “This collaboration focuses on strengthening the fire resistance of buildings themselves, ensuring greater safety for occupants and assets.”
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to advancing indigenous research capabilities, strengthening India’s fire safety ecosystem, and supporting the country’s long-term urbanisation and infrastructure development goals.
