The word certification comes from joining together two Latin words, ?certe? (meaning certain) and ?facere? (to create). Certification describes the normal practice with which the fulfilment and compliance with certain standards or requirements ought to be realised and verified.
Generally, products, services, processes. persons and in addition systems can be certified. Usually, the certifications and the conformity assessments they’re based upon are carried out by independent certification bodies. With the certification for fire-protection applications, the following three certification bodies and acceptance marks have been established.
Leading certification bodies for fire-protection application
VdS ? Schadenverh�tung GmbH
VdS, with its headquarters in Cologne, is today probably the most renowned institutions for corporate safety, with a concentrate on fire protection, security and natural hazard prevention. Among the services that the business offers, in addition to the certification of products, may also be risk assessment, testing of equipment and an easy educational offering. Particularly in fire protection, the VdS seal of approval enjoys an excellent reputation and is necessary on all equipment used within fire protection within German-speaking countries. As the basis for being marked with the VdS seal of approval, there is an acceptance procedure using the applicable DIN, EN and ISO standards and VdS?s own guidelines.
LPCB ? Loss Prevention Certification Board
The Loss Prevention Certification Board is really a the main BRE (Building Research Establishment) Group. The BRE Group targets research, consultancy and testing in the building industry. Among 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 center East and the Asia-Pacific region. Just as with the VdS, the LPCB uses EN and ISO standards as well as their very own guidelines as a basis for certification. Meanwhile, there exists a cooperation between VdS and the LPCB with the aim of recognising the existing certifications and testing and thus to simplify also to speed up the certification process.
UL ? Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories ? founded in 1894 ? is 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 instead across a much wider spectrum. This spectrum covers, for instance, 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, Stressed 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. In the case of 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 in this should ensure that the requirements of the standards and guidelines are fulfilled. Thus, and the like, functional testing, temperature testing and in addition even corrosion testing within an atmosphere of sulphur dioxide are carried out.
A confident test report is imperative for gaining the certification. From then on, 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 undoubtedly be given a validity duration of a few years. Even after the issuance of the certificate, during the complete validity duration, product monitoring measures, such as regular production audits and product inspections are required. Both the acceptance procedures and also the subsequent monitoring measures have become costly, however, the holder of the marking also offers extensive marketing opportunities and competitive Advantages.
Conclusion
Certification for fire-protection applications is dominated by the three largest acceptance marks of VdS, LPCB and UL. Without any extinguishing system is supplied without certification. Accordingly, the use of certified components also simplifies the building and approval processes of the OEMs. Therefore, WIKA also offers pressure gauges and components that are already approved.
Note
WIKA offers both approved pressure gauges and approved components for fire-protection applications. For example, the model 111.12.040 pressure gauge as well as the model PGS11.040 and model PGS21.050 pressure gauges with switch contacts are approved in accordance with VdS and in addition LPCB as instruments for use in fire-extinguishing systems. Thus, WIKA is the only manufacturer worldwide which has VdS and in addition LPCB approved pressure gauges and in addition pressure gauges with switch contacts in its product programme. Furthermore, the instruments may also be suitable for used in fire-extinguishing systems with UL marking. In case you have any more questions, your contact person will undoubtedly be at your disposal.g