Tyco Fire and Building Products, a division of Tyco Int’l Ltd. and a manufacturer of water-based fire suppression systems, recently announced a $3.5 million plan to renovate its current research and development facility, also located at Cranston, R.I. The purpose is to turn it into a new state-of-the-art global technology center.

The renovation plan calls for a multiphase remodel of the existing center. The first two phases will be completed this year and will result in a new training facility and a multipurpose application development laboratory for fire testing. The first phase involves a 4,300-square-foot expansion of an existing building on the Cranston campus that will allow for greater product development capacity while creating the application development facility. The new lab will include valve and sprinkler testing areas for industrial, commercial and residential applications.

Also included in phase one is an 11,000-gallon water tank and recirculation system to minimize the discharge of water during testing. The new lab is expected to be completed in June of this year.

The second phase of the remodel, which is expected to be completed in October, includes a 10,500-square-foot education and training center, which will be named the Frederick Grinnell Education Center. It will consist of 48 seats in a multimedia amphitheater with a product museum and display area. Also included will be a visitor dining and lounge area; a hands-on, 24-seat valve training classroom; and two fire demo cells. The remaining phases will be completed during a two-year period and will include the renovation of a technology support building and a research and engineering facility.

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