A system has been developed that allows the power and duration of a hot-spot to be specified within an energetic material. A diode laser is used to create a hot-spot in a cell containing an energetic material that can be pre-pressurised and heated. A range of diagnostics are used to provide data ideally suited for modelling the ignition characteristics of the material. The data produced have implications for assessing the safety of energetic materials. A preliminary study into the critical parameters for ignition hot-spots in isopropyl nitrate (IPN) is described.