The word certification is derived 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 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 completed 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, using 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 a broad 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 to be marked with the VdS press, there is an acceptance procedure based on the applicable DIN, EN and ISO standards together with VdS?s own guidelines.
LPCB ? Loss Prevention Certification Board
LOSING Prevention Certification Board is really a area of the 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, among others, in neuro-scientific fire protection and safety. These certifications beneath the marking and logo of the LPCB are mostly important in the uk, the center East and the Asia-Pacific region. Just like the VdS, the LPCB uses EN and ISO standards together with their very own guidelines as a basis for certification. Meanwhile, there is a cooperation between VdS and the LPCB with the purpose of recognising the prevailing certifications and testing and thus to simplify and to speed up the certification process.
UL ? Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories ? founded in 1894 ? is Painless -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 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 major role.
The acceptance procedure
Typically, the acceptance procedure is triggered with the relevant certification body by the 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 in line with the national or international standards to be used and the rules of the certification body itself. In the case of pressure measuring instruments and pressure switches for used in fire protection, DIN EN 12094 ? 10, for example, which controls the testing and requirements for components, may be used as a basis. The tests contained in this should ensure that certain requirements of the standards and guidelines are fulfilled. Thus, and the like, functional testing, temperature testing and also even corrosion testing within an atmosphere of sulphur dioxide are carried out.
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 product 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, during the complete validity duration, product monitoring measures, such as regular production audits and product inspections are needed. Both the acceptance procedures as well as the subsequent monitoring measures are very 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. Virtually no extinguishing system is supplied without certification. Accordingly, the usage of certified components also simplifies the building and approval processes of the OEMs. Therefore, WIKA also offers pressure gauges and components which 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 relative to 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 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. In case you have any further questions, your contact person will undoubtedly be at your disposal.