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SPECIFIERS SELDOM consider fire protection products and systems differently to parts of a building that have a less-critical function in terms of life safety. Too often, products selected are not properly supported by certification or test evidence, are subject to change, and are chosen on the basis of price. If not properly installed and maintained they will not provide the designed level of fire performance.
All this is about to change, at least on London Underground. The introduction of the Category 2 Standard by Metronet Rail addresses the major issues relating to fire protection products and systems and their installation. By defining the acceptance criteria for products, systems and installers – and providing a controlled database of acceptability – the designer retains choice and flexibility, while maintaining a high level of product and installer confidence.
The requirements, procedures and implementation of the Metronet Rail Category 2 Standard are likely to have far-reaching implications on methods of specification for fire-rated systems, not only for London Underground Limited (LUL). The system being pioneered by LUL is equally suited to other large construction projects and companies. If all goes to plan, most specifications could be based upon this system within two or three years, leading to a significant increase in safety for end-users.
Third-party certification
The Category 2 Standard requires products and/or systems to be covered by a UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited third-party product certification scheme, such as CERTIFIRE. Although a simple requirement, it represents a significant change in specification methods. Without this requirement, manufacturers can conduct tests on a product of their own choice; with no independent monitoring of the ongoing production, the product may not be typical of production and, in some cases, tests may have been conducted several years previously. For life safety products and systems, this is far from ideal. Recognising the weaknesses, a number of sectors in the construction industry have already signed up to third-party product certification voluntarily.
There are four elements to a third-party scheme:
- initial type testing on an independently sampled product
- assessment of a defined field of application
- inspection and surveillance of the factory production control
- audit testing
Fire performance is only one aspect. The product must also be fit for purpose, durable and appropriate to the end use. Product certification provides that assurance. In addition to fire performance and quality aspects, CERTIFIRE addresses the other performance criteria relevant to the product. These are quantified by reference to other published, recognised standards or, in the absence of these, by procedures developed for the purpose.
The regular inspection of manufacturing plants to determine the adequacy of the factory production control – in addition to the ISO 9000: Quality systems aspects – means there is confidence that products are manufactured consistently. Certain third-party certification schemes also require independent audit testing, using products sampled from the marketplace, rather than specially selected for testing. This provides the purchaser of the products with confidence that they have been manufactured under a regime which includes the ‘threat’ of testing the products at any time, without manufacturers’ involvement.
Additionally, for systems, rather than individual products, the UK practice of picking and choosing components does have its pitfalls; not least when it comes to sourcing compatible components. This is often left to untrained operatives, who are not aware of the requirements for the system and the individual components. The requirements for the individual components will vary and the fitting of incorrect components can have a significant effect on the overall fire resistance of the system.
It is critical that the components used are compatible. As the only third-party certification scheme to cater for all critical components, CERTIFIRE enables the specifier or end-user to pick and choose compatible components which will ensure the intended fire performance is maintained. All compatible components are included in the certificate. If they are not listed, they probably will not work.
Installer certification
The inclusion in the Category 2 Standard for all products/systems to be covered by third-party certification is a major step forward for improving the quality of products supplied to site, but the requirements of the Standard do not end there, they also encompass installers of the systems. The companies that wish to install products or systems on the projects covered by the Category 2 requirements also have to be covered by third-party certification. Without it, there is no measure of installer competence.
There is no questioning the competence of some but despite fire protection installation being a specialised skill, it is often left to those involved with other non-fire-rated aspects of the project who are simply not competent to install fire protection. These instances must be minimised and the specialised skills needed must carry more value when it comes to choosing an installer.
The FIRAS scheme for fire protection system installers, operated by Warrington Certification, certifies the installer company. Key to the certification is the competence of individuals involved, from the estimator to supervisors and operatives on site. FIRAS operates a system of competence assessment for individuals, with their scope of competence recorded and maintained on the certificated company’s file. Competency is awarded on a modular basis; the individual only being permitted to practise in those fields in which he is deemed competent. For example, an installer of fire-resisting glass cannot install fire-resisting mineral fibre firestopping, unless assessed by FIRAS as competent to do so.
Under the FIRAS scheme, installers’ contracts are inspected on a random basis and companies are subject to an annual office audit. Web-based record-keeping is a key element of FIRAS certification and this must be maintained in order to retain certification, allowing permanent records of contracts and individuals involved. This enables full traceability. All contracts are required to be notified to FIRAS and all covered by a Certificate of Conformity, issued by the installer company to his client. The quality of installation of fire protection systems has given concern to many organisations over recent years, hence the growth of FIRAS and similar schemes which address the installations on a voluntary basis. Once adopted, the requirements within the Category 2 Standard for all fire-rated installations to be conducted by a third-party certificated company will help alleviate concerns relating to poor installation.
It is evident that the requirements for third-party certification of both the products/systems and the installer will help raise the level of quality within the Category 2 Standard compliant projects. This can only be beneficial for life safety in general and the Standard must be embraced by all those involved as being a major step forward for UK industry. Additionally, there is nothing to stop other major projects taking on board the system pioneered by Metronet Rail and, in doing so, providing better fire safety specifications for all.
Chris Miles is a technical manager with Warrington Fire
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