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
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
Codes and Standards Protecting People, Property and the Planet
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
1860 s formation of Rules of the FOC 1869 Est. 1680 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 1885 1 st FOC Sprinkler Rules & FOC list of approved products 1666 1700 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 2015 2000 FOC List of Approved Products rebranded the Red Book 1980 s
Building Regulations Building Regulations and Approved Documents Design, Installation & Maintenance Standards Product Standards
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)
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 12259-14), LPS 1039 Watermist BS xx, LPS 1283, LPS 1285
Currently around 75 published LPS standards with more planned to meet ever changing market needs LPS 1014-5.3 Requirements for certificated fire detection and alarm system firms LPS 1020-2.3 Requirements for alarm receiving centres LPS 1039-5.2 Requirements and testing methods for automatic sprinklers LPS 1040-2.3 Requirements and testing procedures for the LPCB approval and listing of wet alarm valve sets LPS 1048-5.0 Requirements for the approval of sprinkler system contractors in the UK and Ireland LPS 1196-1.2 Requirements and tests for exposed surfaces having reaction to fire classification of Class 0 and Class 1 LPS 1208-2.2 LPCB fire resistance requirements for elements of construction used to provide compartmentation LPS 1263-1.4 Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of the fire performance of grease filters used in commercial kitchen extract systems
LPS 1283-1.1 Requirements and test methods for the approval of watermist systems for use in commercial low hazard occupancies LPS 1655-1.0 Requirements and test methods for the LPCB approval and listing of personal protection watermist systems LPS 1666-1.0 Requirements and test procedures for the LPCB approval of direct low pressure (DLP) application fixed fire suppression systems LPS 2084-1.0 Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of companies carrying out inspection, cleaning and maintenance of ductwork systems
Protecting People, Property and the Planet Test Reports Supporting Standards
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.
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?
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
3 rd Party Certification Protecting People, Property and the Planet
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
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
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
On-going processes Surveillance (Factory Production Control) Product Listing Performance Assessment (Testing) Certification Decision Review
Confirmation by listing in the Red Book All LPCB approved fire and security products and services are listed on web-based live database; www.redbooklive.com Updated daily Suspensions/withdrawals Counterfeit apps for smartphone/tablet
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
Summary Protecting People, Property and the Planet
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
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 12845 Watermist - 3 yearly maintenance cycle, BS EN 8489-1 Clause 11.4.5.4, dependent on site/nozzle
Any Questions? Nigel Firkins BRE Global Bucknalls Lane Watford WD25 9XX GB +44 (0)1923 664880 Firkinsn@bre.co.uk www.redbooklive.com