Certification Programs
One of the primary goals of the International Fire Sprinkler Association is the “development of information systems to protect product integrity and industry identity. “ Key to this goal are certification programs that help ensure the proper use of quality products. These programs take the form of both product certification programs and design technician certification programs.
Product Certification
Product certification programs are those carried out by accredited laboratories in accordance with published product standards for fire sprinklers and related equipment. It is essential that laboratories not only test products for initial compliance with minimum standards of performance, but that follow-up services ensure the continuing quality of production. More information on product certification services is available from internationally-recognized product approval laboratories including:
Because the health, safety, and welfare of the public is at risk, the IFSA created a video explaining why fire protection industry professionals and regulators should mandate that only those products certified by reputable testing laboratories be employed in automatic sprinkler systems. The 6-minute video focuses on the shortcomings of noncertified fire sprinklers, some of which were removed from service in buildings where they were being trusted to provide fire protection to the public. When these same sprinklers were subjected to recognized product testing protocols, they routinely fail to demonstrate adequate performance. Certain types of failure seem to predominate, but all failures indicate a danger to public safety.
The video is available in 6 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, Turkish and Arabic.
You can view the video in any of the 6 languages by clicking here.
IFSA - Why Certified Products are Essential
For more information regarding the noncertified fire sprinklers and their performance under standard testing protocols, please see the referenced reports:
UL LLC: Evaluation of Model ZSTX-15 SSP and ZSTZ-15 SSU Non-Certified Sprinkler Samples
UL LLC Evaluation of Non-Certified ESFR Sprinkler Samples Technical Report
FM Approvals: Test Report of Model 2013 KT, 2014 SHKT and 2015 SHKT Non-Certified Sprinklers
Please feel free to share these links with other fire engineers, fire officers, building officials, and legislators. It is IFSA’s goal to highlight the dangers of noncertified fire sprinklers to the design community and government regulators in an effort to convince them to prevent the installation of the substandard products in their countries. This goal is best achieved by adopting and enforcing regulations to protect the people they serve.
Design Technician Certification
While many countries regulate system design through the enforcement of minimum educational and practice credentials for design professionals, there are also specific testing and certification programs available to ensure that individuals involved in the application of sprinkler system design and installation standards such as NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
In the United States and Canada, such certification programs have been administered through the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) since the 1980s.
CETRACI
Beginning in 2015, a Spanish language technician certification program was initiated by the Mexican AMRACI in cooperation with the IFSA. The program is administered through a separate organization designated as CETRACI.