Insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL has opened a new global centre of excellence for fire-stopping at Hams Hall, near Birmingham, strengthening its focus on fire safety and training in the UK construction sector.
The multi-million-pound fire safety investment aims to support the development and manufacture of the company’s new range of fire-stopping products, set to launch in summer 2025.
The new line will include coated batts, fire sealants, collars, wraps, pillows, and socket boxes—all designed to meet the latest UK fire safety regulations.
As building regulations continue to evolve under the Building Safety Act, the facility is intended to address growing demand for high-performance fire protection systems and construction training. The new centre also reflects a wider industry push to improve competence and accountability in fire safety design and installation.
Construction Training Centre to Support Industry Skills
Later this year, ROCKWOOL will open an on-site fire-stopping training centre at Hams Hall to provide hands-on learning for architects, contractors, and installers.
The training will include live demonstrations and guided installations of fire-stopping, HVAC, and fire protection systems on mock-up rigs. Participants can earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.
The new Birmingham-based training facility complements ROCKWOOL Learning, the company’s e-learning platform offering remote access to fire safety courses and digital CPD certification. Together, these platforms are part of ROCKWOOL’s strategy to support safer buildings through improved construction education and technical knowledge.
Leadership and Industry Expertise
The Hams Hall facility will be led by Ben Peach, recently appointed as ROCKWOOL’s Product and Technical Solutions Director. Peach brings 20 years of experience in fire-stopping systems to the role. “Building on this with our new centre of excellence will support fire safety in the UK and further enhance ROCKWOOL’s ability to innovate,” he said.
ROCKWOOL Expands UK Presence with West Midlands Investment
The Hams Hall centre marks the latest phase in ROCKWOOL’s expansion in the West Midlands. The company recently announced the purchase of land at Peddimore, north-east of Birmingham, with plans to develop an additional UK stone wool insulation manufacturing site.
Nick Wilson, Managing Director of ROCKWOOL UK and Ireland, said the investment reflects a long-term commitment to UK fire safety, job creation, and sustainable construction.
“We’re excited about what the future holds as we expand and invest into the West Midlands,” he said.
Supporting Fire Safety and Building Compliance
The launch of the Hams Hall fire-stopping centre comes amid increased focus on compliance with UK building safety legislation. ROCKWOOL’s investment aligns with the industry’s growing need for fire-resistant building materials, rigorous product testing, and skilled professionals capable of implementing fire-stopping solutions correctly.
By combining manufacturing with specialist fire-stopping training, the new ROCKWOOL centre aims to contribute to safer, more resilient buildings across the UK.
