Fire-proofing firm bought by US group

A CHESHIRE company which has developed a fireproof material being used in the production of the next generation of Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers, has been bought by an American firm.

Winsford based Marine Systems Technology has been taken over by PaR Systems Inc of Shoreview, Minnesota after developing COMFIRE, a fireproof composite.

The product is being used for fireproof doors for installation in the Royal Navy’s new Queen Class aircraft carriers. PaR Systems has identified further market places for this technology, which will also add to the value of its existing portfolio of naval and marine products.

With a temperature of 1,200 degrees Centigrade on one side of a door,
COMFIRE provides a level of insulation which enables the other side to be handled by bare hands and so prevent fire spreading from compartment to compartment.

A door equipped with the produt has also passed the US Navy’s most stringent fire test, and is the only door to have done so.

The material can be also be moulded into furniture and fittings so adding to the prevention of fire damage.

COMFIRE is a state of the art composite based on recycled lightweight minerals that are not only stable in fire but offer non combustibility with no smoke or toxicity and offering excellent thermal and sound insulation properties.

Tony White, managing director of PaR Europe, said, “MST has successfully had COMFIRE tested and it meets the requirements of the Royal Navy and US Navy.

“It has a substantial contract to provide fireproof doors for the Royal Navy’s new carriers and we, at PaR, see COMFIRE being used in other Royal Navy ships.

“Our acquisition of MST provides us with the catalyst for developing business in Europe, especially for the naval and marine market places.”