Patna: A state-of-the-art fire testing and training centre is set to be built on the campus of IIT Patna, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the institute and Bihar’s Building Construction Department on Saturday.
The proposed Centre of Excellence for Fire Testing, Training and Research Laboratory will be the first of its kind in the North Eastern region, aiming to become a hub for advanced fire safety research, training and investigation.
The agreement was formalised during a programme held at the Secretariat’s departmental auditorium in Patna, where Chief Engineer Reza Waris Warsi represented the Building Construction Department, and IIT Patna Director Professor T.N. Singh signed on behalf of the institute.
Speaking at the event, departmental secretary Kumar Ravi described the initiative as “a vital step toward ensuring the fire safety of government infrastructure.” Under the agreement, the Building Construction Department will oversee the centre’s operations, training and equipment maintenance for the first five years, while IIT Patna will contribute academic and technical expertise.
The facility, estimated to cost ₹17.36 crore, will be built within the IIT Patna campus. The institute will provide land free of charge, and construction is expected to begin shortly.
The centre will test the fire resistance of construction materials and evaluate structural damage and repair strategies following fire incidents. It will also offer training for engineers and emergency personnel in fire safety protocols, rescue operations, and retrofitting techniques.
Research areas will include fire dynamics in multi-storey buildings, the combustibility of regional construction materials, and the development of advanced safety measures.
