Standards and third party certification

Transcription

1 Protecting People, Property and the Planet Standards and third party certification Nigel Firkins Content Developer, Fire Suppression BRE/NFCC Fire Protection Seminar Fit for purpose and reliable in service? 24th April 2018 Part of the BRE Trust

2 Content Background to codes and standards What should you ask about testing and look for in a test report? What is 3 rd Party Certification? Questions

3 Codes and Standards Protecting People, Property and the Planet

4 Great Fire of London 2 nd to 5 th September 1666 Only 4 direct reported deaths 13,000 homes and 100,000 made homeless 400 acres of land almost 80% of the city Buildings to be made of stone Space separation between buildings Controls on hearths and cooking equipment

5 1860 s formation of Rules of the FOC 1869 Est Insurers set up Fire Office to look at risks from fire & introduce fire marks and fire 1666 Great fire of London brigades 17/1800 s fire pumps st FOC Sprinkler Rules & FOC list of approved products s 1800 s 1900 s Insurers and LPS Standards 1950 s ABI sells LPC/LPCB to BRE Trust Today LPCB is a Brand of BRE FOC List of Approved Products rebranded the Red Book 1980 s

6 Building Regulations Building Regulations and Approved Documents Design, Installation & Maintenance Standards Product Standards

7 Standards (Design & Installation) Aim to be compatible with the regulatory and insurance requirements Developed in partnership with Industry Stakeholders e.g. Manufacturers, approving authorities, trade associations, expert groups Detail requirements and specifications for: material, product arrangements, product selections, assurance (by commissioning and maintenance) Assume competency levels for those using the standard Align with standards Sprinklers - BSEN 12845, BS 9251, (pren 16925). LPS 1048 Watermist BS 8489, BS 8458, (pren 14972)

8 Standards (Components) Support design & installation standards to meeting regulatory and/or insurance requirements Detail requirements and specifications for the component Detail test methods, pass/fail criteria and essential safety requirements Detailed reporting of these tests Assume competency levels for those using the standard Example standards Sprinkler - BSEN 12259, BS 9252 (pren ), LPS 1039 Watermist BS xx, LPS 1283, LPS 1285

9 Currently around 75 published LPS standards with more planned to meet ever changing market needs LPS Requirements for certificated fire detection and alarm system firms LPS Requirements for alarm receiving centres LPS Requirements and testing methods for automatic sprinklers LPS Requirements and testing procedures for the LPCB approval and listing of wet alarm valve sets LPS Requirements for the approval of sprinkler system contractors in the UK and Ireland LPS Requirements and tests for exposed surfaces having reaction to fire classification of Class 0 and Class 1 LPS LPCB fire resistance requirements for elements of construction used to provide compartmentation LPS Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of the fire performance of grease filters used in commercial kitchen extract systems

10 LPS Requirements and test methods for the approval of watermist systems for use in commercial low hazard occupancies LPS Requirements and test methods for the LPCB approval and listing of personal protection watermist systems LPS Requirements and test procedures for the LPCB approval of direct low pressure (DLP) application fixed fire suppression systems LPS Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of companies carrying out inspection, cleaning and maintenance of ductwork systems

11 Protecting People, Property and the Planet Test Reports Supporting Standards

12 Test Reports A test report is a statement of fact a snapshot in time related to the product presented at the time of testing and reports the information detailed in the Standard.

13 Test Report - Checks Was the sample representative? Golden Sample Fully compliant with the standard? Was the testing Independent? UKAS or ILAC recognised (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) Will future products be the same? What if Materials, designs or processes change?

14 Test Report Should be Complete Clearly state what was tested and the outcome of those tests Terms such as Complies with Designed to Tested to These claims are no guarantee that products will continue to meet the standards or that they fully comply. Always ask for the test report (all pages) and check

15 3 rd Party Certification Protecting People, Property and the Planet

16 Key elements of 3 rd Party Certification Schemes A robust standard Expertise in the product being certified Consistent processes and procedures Confirmation that the product/service has met and will continue to meet the requirements of specified standards

17 Standards used for 3 rd Party Certification Loss Prevention Standards (LPS) developed in collaboration with industry, clients, insurers, regulators and other stakeholders Consensus documents developed by stakeholders Based on National, European or International standards

18 Expertise A conformity assessment process is carried out by a body that is independent of both supplier and customer organisations The approval process is governed and controlled through Production testing, audit, ISO standards and Factory Production Control (FPC) audits Certification/approval bodies are overseen by accreditation bodies such as the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) in our case UKAS

19 On-going processes Surveillance (Factory Production Control) Product Listing Performance Assessment (Testing) Certification Decision Review

20 Confirmation by listing in the Red Book All LPCB approved fire and security products and services are listed on web-based live database; Updated daily Suspensions/withdrawals Counterfeit apps for smartphone/tablet

21 Role of Certification in Fire Safety Benefits apply to Manufacturers, Regulators, Insurers/underwriters, Clients, Specifiers, Contractors: For specifiers/end users/regulators etc: Risk reduction Avoidance of costly mistakes Visibility of certified product Time Traceability of product For manufacturers/installers: Supports acceptance by Regulators Added value of the product or service Increased visibility of product Reduced liability

22 Summary Protecting People, Property and the Planet

23 Summary Standards and 3 rd Party Certification Holistic approach Based on an understanding of the relationship between Regulation / design & installation / components Uses declared performance requirements Confirms through testing and 3 rd party certification

24 Periodic Inspections of In-Service Product Remove and test/retest 20 or 1% of sprinklers/nozzles and pipework Tests = function, water flow (K factor), operating temperature and thermal response Frequency Sprinkler - 25 yearly (some 5 yearly), BS EN Watermist - 3 yearly maintenance cycle, BS EN Clause , dependent on site/nozzle

25 Any Questions? Nigel Firkins BRE Global Bucknalls Lane Watford WD25 9XX GB +44 (0)