The Fire Protection Association (FPA) are delighted to announce they have been awarded UKAS accreditation to carry out fire tests on watermist systems to BS 8458:2015 Fixed fire protection systems – Residential and domestic watermist systems – Code of practice for design and installation.
The Fire Protection Association is among the first UK testing laboratories to become UKAS accredited for BS 8458 watermist system testing. The Fire Protection Association (FPA) is delighted to announce that have been awarded UKAS accreditation to carry out fire tests on watermist systems to BS 8458:2015 Fixed fire protection systems – Residential and domestic watermist systems – Code of practice for design and installation.
Fire suppression systems
They are proud to be leading the way as one of the first UK fire testing facilities accredited to offer this important British Standard test. The desire for automatic fire suppression systems has increased dramatically in recent months and years. They have also seen changes in the requirements in legislation such as the mandate for automatic fire suppression systems in all new domestic premises in Scotland and Wales.
The FPA recognized that there was limited test facilities third-party accredited to conduct BS 8458 fire test, meaning there were limited ways to purchase an approved domestic or residential Watermist system which had been tested by a competent certified laboratory.
Providing additional clarification
They are also working with the BSI committee to provide additional clarification
The FPA decided to rectify this by becoming third-party certified by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) appointed by the government to verify integrity, impartiality, and competence.
The announcement of receiving UKAS accredited certification cements their view that this standard must be taken seriously. It underpins confidence that the service they provide meets the expectations of BS 8458 through a process that verifies integrity, impartially, and competence. They are also working with the BSI committee to provide additional clarification. Further ensuring that the equipment is of the highest standard, the staffs are suitably trained, and the procedures maintain the spirit of the standard.
Wider fire protection
This milestone for FPA is a hallmark for the future, not just for fire testing but the wider fire protection sector. It is the FPA’s belief that third-party testing and approval is the best way to ensure the suitability of systems and protect people and property from the threat of fire.
Dr. Jim Glockling, Technical Director at the FPA, commented: “Watermist is a complex fire suppression technology, and it is particularly important for prospective purchasers to seek the comfort of standards to ensure they will perform as intended, when needed. This is an immensely proud moment for FPA to continue to push the standards of fire safety forwards, creating industry benchmarks for the built environment.”
