The word certification comes from joining together two Latin words, ?certe? (meaning certain) and ?facere? (to make). Certification describes the normal practice with which the fulfilment and compliance with certain standards or requirements should be realised and verified.
Generally, products, services, processes. persons and also systems could be certified. Usually, the certifications and the conformity assessments they are based upon are carried out by independent certification bodies. With the certification for fire-protection applications, the next three certification bodies and acceptance marks have already been established.
Leading certification bodies for fire-protection application
VdS ? Schadenverh�tung GmbH
VdS, using its headquarters in Cologne, is today one of the renowned institutions for corporate safety, with a focus on fire protection, security and natural hazard prevention. Among the services that the business offers, as well as the certification of products, may also be risk assessment, testing of equipment and an easy educational offering. Particularly in fire protection, the VdS press enjoys a fantastic reputation and is necessary on all equipment used within fire protection within German-speaking countries. Because the basis to be marked with the VdS seal of approval, there’s an acceptance procedure in line with the applicable DIN, EN and ISO standards in addition to VdS?s own guidelines.
LPCB ? Loss Prevention Certification Board
The Loss Prevention Certification Board is a the main BRE (Building Research Establishment) Group. The BRE Group targets research, consultancy and testing in the building industry. Amongst their services are also certifications and acceptances, amongst others, in neuro-scientific fire protection and safety. These certifications under the marking and logo of the LPCB are mostly important in Great Britain, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Just like the VdS, the LPCB uses EN and ISO standards and also their own guidelines as a basis for certification. Meanwhile, you will find a cooperation between VdS and the LPCB with the purpose of recognising the existing certifications and testing and therefore to simplify and to speed up the certification process.
UL ? Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories ? founded in 1894 ? is really a US-American product certifier. Unlike the VdS or the LPCB, their certifications not merely extend to the construction, fire protection and safety industries, but rather across a much wider spectrum. This spectrum covers, for example, standards for refrigeration plants, lithium batteries, ice machines, cabling, ? . Especially within the American market, where VdS and LPCB aren’t represented, UL approval is specially important. However, also in the Middle East and the Asia region, UL certification for fire-protection applications plays a significant role.
The acceptance procedure
Typically, the acceptance procedure is triggered with the relevant certification body by the product manufacturer or the provider of the services. First, the applicant must submit the corresponding product or project documentation for testing by the certification body. The notified body then develops a test plan based on the national or international standards to be utilized and the rules of the certification body itself. Regarding pressure measuring instruments and pressure switches for use in fire protection, DIN EN 12094 ? 10, for instance, which controls the testing and requirements for components, can be used as a basis. The tests contained within this should ensure that the requirements of the standards and guidelines are fulfilled. Thus, amongst others, functional testing, temperature testing and also even corrosion testing within an atmosphere of sulphur dioxide are completed.
A positive test report is imperative for gaining the certification. After that, confirmation of conformity follows with the issuance of the certificate. With the issuing of the certificate, the merchandise or service may carry the acceptance marking. Usually, the certificate will be provided with a validity duration of a couple of years. Even after the issuance of the certificate, through the complete validity duration, product monitoring measures, such as for example regular production audits and product inspections are needed. Both acceptance procedures plus the subsequent monitoring measures have become costly, however, the holder of the marking also offers extensive marketing opportunities and competitive Advantages.
Riveting for fire-protection applications is dominated by the three largest acceptance marks of VdS, LPCB and UL. Virtually no extinguishing system comes without certification. Accordingly, the utilization of certified components also simplifies the building and approval processes of the OEMs. Therefore, WIKA offers pressure gauges and components which are already approved.
Note
WIKA offers both approved pressure gauges and approved components for fire-protection applications. For instance, the model 111.12.040 pressure gauge plus the model PGS11.040 and model PGS21.050 pressure gauges with switch contacts are approved relative to VdS and also LPCB as instruments for used in fire-extinguishing systems. Thus, WIKA is the only manufacturer worldwide which has VdS and also LPCB approved pressure gauges and also pressure gauges with switch contacts in its product programme. Furthermore, the instruments are also suitable for use in fire-extinguishing systems with UL marking. Should you have any more questions, your contact person will be at your disposal.