CERTIFICATION SAFETY & BEYOND Ferhun Emeksiz & R.M ( Max) Bradbury Client Manager & Fire Products Program Manager Global-Mark Pty Ltd
Content Product Certification Understanding the framework Fundamental Principals Product testing and audits Safety Why safety is paramount in product certification? Beyond Global-Mark fire industry product certification program
CERTIFICATION PRODUCT CERTIFICATION Process of certifying a certain product that passes performance tests and, quality assurance tests. Also meets qualification criteria stipulated in contracts, regulations, or specifications.
CERTIFICATION Understanding the framework The Standard / code writing body The Laboratory The Certifier Each has a specific role, expertise and needs to be independent with due processes and accountabilities.
CERTIFICATION The Standard writing body and regulatory bodies Australian & New Standards by Standard Australia (AS) Combined Standard Australia and Standard New Zealand (AS/NZS) ACCC (Fire extinguishers, Aerosol extinguishers, baby dummies, vehicle jack, sun glasses and etc) ABCB National Construction Code (NCC) and Plumbing Code (WaterMark). Electrical Can be mandatory or voluntary.
CERTIFICATION The Laboratory Needs to be NATA accredited, or equivalent under ILAC Needs to be competent Needs to follow a known and set methodology Issues Recognised Test Reports
CERTIFICATION The Certification Body Needs to be JASANZ accredited, or equivalent, under ISO17065. Needs to be competent, Conducts audits, Reviews Approved Test Reports, compliance folder Issues Certificate of Approval
CERTIFICATION Who selects samples certification company Types of Product Certification Activity 1 2 3 4 5 Product samples taken at production area? (once) (ongoing) (ongoing) Product samples taken in the market place? (ongoing) Independent test carried out Approved Laboratory (ongoing) (ongoing) (ongoing) (ongoing) (ongoing) Production assessed and witnessed (ongoing) Management system review (is production stable and capable) (ongoing)
CERTIFICATION Types of Product Certification Key steps in the process 1 2 3 4 5 Compliance Product Folder Certification Validity Certification subject to yearly reviews 3 years 5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years (12 m.) Number of Products per Certification 1 only 1 only 1 only 1 only Range No (1) Product Changes/Upgrade allowed (as part of ongoing surveillance) (1) Manufacturer must advised us of any changes from the design locked and tested product
CERTIFICATION Fundamental principles Voluntary independent product certifications programs structured to meet international standards such as ISO/IEC 17067-2013 with a System 5 Relies on the firm s management system to make and maintain the product and processes stable and capable: including conforming This assumes that tomorrow s product will be the same as today s and the same at the product tested yesterday Involve type testing, and on-going testing Rely on effective and working feedback mechanisms (complaints, defects, recalls) Overall some schemes are mandated, but compliance and the demonstration of compliance has been outsourced (to people like us).
CERTIFICATION Compliance folder Such a file must contain, as appropriate to the product (discuss this with one of our Client Manager): Description of the product, Description of the range of the product, (size, grade, colors, etc) List of critical components Bill of material Drawing, sketches, photographs and graphs which show the product, its assembly, manufacturing and parts Recognised Test Reports Standards or specifications Design calculations or notes, supporting the product compliance to the standard, Information on product branding, packaging and promotional material (including information contained with the product) After the compliance folder + approval: DESIGN LOCKED
CERTIFICATION Recognised Test Reports Should generally be less than 5 years old Should be issued by a Approved Laboratory/NATA or organisation which has an MOU/MLA with NATA Lab needs to be in scope for this test/standard Should address the Standard compliance or not: i.e. should conclude Should be signed, identify the product tested, branding, labeling, and if appropriate sampling regime Some Clients send 5 samples to the lab, so it can select the sample
CERTIFICATION AUDITS What should we look for Is the manufacturing process stable and capable? (will tomorrow s products be as good as today s), Global-Mark s G11 document for product certification program (based on ISO9001) Is the SC s requirements implemented, and records in place (routine inspection, batch testing), Traceability issues: in case of a recall, Marking, branding (non approved products) Non-conforming products; quarantine (how do they dispose of NC products with Certification marks) Incoming inspections, and purchasing specifications of raw material, Certificates of Conformity of incoming products/assemblies. Calibration
CERTIFICATION AUDITS What should we look for? Product changes (what you saw last time, document on our files) with or without design lock notification to Global-Mark Production register, batch testing levels, confirm AQL is met Select and mark samples for internal testing (early in the morning): witness the testing, interview the test operator (including his/her qualifications) calibration status Review test reports, counter sign the ones you have seen, take a copy.
CERTIFICATION What does voluntary/independent product certification provides? An indication that the manufacturer is capable of consistently manufacturing compliant product; However, the manufacturer or distributors remain responsible for the product s ongoing compliance with the standard
SAFETY ACCC requires, All consumer products you supply must be safe and meet consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Generally the manufacturers or importers of products are liable for the damages. Suppliers may reduce their exposure to product liability action by using these responsible and sensible business practices: conduct regular reviews of product designs and production implement and review quality assurance procedures test products regularly to relevant standards, including batch testing conduct appropriate marketing provide clear and thorough user instructions where necessary, conduct a quick voluntary recall of any products that are defective or unsafe. https://www.accc.gov.au/business/treating-customers-fairly/product-safety#selling-safe-products
SAFETY Fire industry products are high risk categorised products, must meet industry and end user expectations, no room for errors human lives, damage to properties, environmental risk.
BEYOND Global-Mark Certification Programs Certified Products, Type 5, (JASANZ) Approved Products, Type 5, Test Report (not JASANZ) WaterMark Level 1 (higher level, equivalent to ISO Type 5) and Level 2 (lower level, equivalent to ISO Type 1b) (JASANZ) Apparatus and Appliances, Type 1 (JASANZ) CodeMark: BCA compliance. (JASANZ) Gas Safety Appliances (JASANZ) Type 3 Gas Cylinder Test Station (JASANZ) Type 2 Electrical products (JASANZ)
BEYOND Global-Mark Certification Programs (Continued) Majority of fire products are under Certified Products program, Type 5 Fire extinguishers, (AS/NZS 1841. 2 to 8) and Mobile Units (AS4265) Fire hose reel, (AS/NZS1221) Emergency lights and exit signs, (AS2293) Fire hose lay flat, (AS2792) Fire panels, smoke alarms, heat and smoke detectors, (AS7240, AS3786, AS) Fire Blankets, (AS3504) Fire suppression systems to AS5062 and AS4487, Hydrant valves (AS2419.2) and Hydrant boosters (AS2419.3) Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems - Control and indicating equipment - Fire brigade panel (AS4428) Fire Alarms systems (AS7240)
BEYOND Global-Mark Certification Programs (Continued) Programs under Type 1 are; Gas Cylinder Test Stations (AS2337 series) Fire sprinkler pipes to various AS standards Fire hose couplings to various international standards including BS and DIN (JASANZ accredited)
BEYOND Global-Mark Certification Programs (Continued) A new program for Fire Maintenance / Service companies to cover AS1851 activities under ISO9001 Quality management system certification. Covers fourteen maintenance activities detailed under AS1851. NEW
BEYOND Fire Extinguisher product certification Under System 5 Program Certification AS/NZS 1841 standard series and Global-Mark s G-11 program First audit at FACTORY Manufacturing capability of factory is assessed. Type tests under Table 7.1 of AS/NZS 1841.1 (Factory and independent laboratories) AS/NZS1850 Fire rating (Initial certification approval testing can be carried out at various facilities acceptable to CABs) Generally, Australian fire fighters are employed.
BEYOND Fire rating to AS/NZS1850 Objective of this standard is to facilitate the production and use of fit-forpurpose fire standardized extinguishers. The preface of AS/NZS 1850 includes the following; The ultimate classification and rating of an extinguisher or its recommended use is based on its fire- extinguishing potential, as determined by the appropriate tests. These tests provide an indication of a new extinguisher rating classification and fire extinguishing performance. Currently these are only type tests; there is no requirement for validation of ongoing fire performance!.
BEYOND Fire Extinguisher product certification Fire rating to AS/NZS1850 Testing can be witnessed within or outside Australia Classes A, B, C, D, E and F When type tests are achieved becomes lifetime rating (???). That means there is no requirement for validation of ongoing fire performance!.
BEYOND Fire rating to AS/NZS1850 Portable fire extinguishers are more than simple assemblies comprising cylinder, discharge system including valve and extinguishing agent. Even minor changes to parts or the extinguishing agent can significantly affect performance.
BEYOND Fire Extinguisher product certification Fire rating to AS/NZS1850 B Class (Flammable liquid fire) test is recognised the least reproducible test fire performance tests in AS/NZS 1850 These B class tests require optimal conditions e.g. wind speed and direction therefore another test is proposed to validate on going compliance. Currently in Australia after initial fire performance /rating tests they are considered as lifetime rating
BEYOND Fire Extinguisher product certification Fire rating to AS/NZS1850 To address the lifetime rating and provide objective evidence of on going fire extinguishing capability, Ay least two validation tests at 40% of the original B class ratings should be undertaken every 5 years after initial certification /listing, Why 40%? The test was derived from UL 711 clause 5.4 that in part includes; The fire extinguishing classification is equivalent to 40 % of the area of the fire consistently extinguished by an expert operator. An extinguisher obtained from the open market shall extinguish a B class fire equal to 40 percent of the listed rating
40% TEST CHART Existing certified B Class rating 2B 5B 10B 20B 30B 40B 60B 80B 120B Proposed B Class validation tests 2B 2B 5B 10B 20B 20B 30B 40B 60B
BEYOND FIRE RATING TO AS/NZS1850 Fluorine Free Foams not containing PFOS and PFOA Foams are High volume use to protect high value properties in industries like marine, mining and defence (Fire suppression systems), but also its use in portable and wheeled fire extinguishers at lower volumes, Environmental concerns and changing regulatory requirements in Australia, Fire rating tests are in progress; Changes may be required on how to use instruction labelling AS1851 maintenance requirements.
BEYOND FIRE RATING TO AS/NZS1850 Alternatives for Fluorine Containing AFFF Foams The production and use of ethanol blended fuels is likely to increase The main danger is from incidents involving tanker trucks,rail cars etc. carrying large amounts of ethanol both in transit and at manufacturing facilities and storage facilities. Not from use of these fuels on vehicles Therefore, responders need to be prepared for large-scale emergencies and prepared with the most effective techniques and extinguishing media. There are fuels available that contain 85 % ethanol ( E85) so, a variation to AS/NZS1850 clause 4.2.2 for the B class test is being proposed to cover these fuels.
BEYOND INITIAL CERTIFICATION The manufacture of most portable fire extinguisher and other fire related products has moved from Australia to oversees. As a consequence many Compliance Assessment Bodies ( CAB s) are reviewing their on going auditing methodology. Currently most CAB s undertake annual pre arranged or announced ( clients advised ) audits however increasingly this methodology is being questioned to allow for periodic unannounced random audits. Unannounced audits will still cover manufacture processes including critical operations and product sign off plus as applicable major subcontractors.
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