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In tandem with an increasing number of automatic inert gas total flooding extinguishing systems being installed, both in Denmark and the rest of the world, there is an increasing need for quality assurance and common regulations.
Most recently, in accordance with the Construction Product Directive (CPD Directive), which lays down pan-European regulations, new rules have been introduced which stipulate that control and delay devices for automatic total flooding extinguishing systems must be certified and carry the CE mark.
This means that only systems using CPD certified control and delay devices can be used for automatic total flooding extinguishing systems. This rule applies regardless of whether a product has to be approved by an inspection body or voluntarily certified.
“It is therefore no longer permitted to sell a central system based on an automatic fire alarm system together with non-certified control and delay devices,even though the functional requirements set out in Regulation 253 on Inert Gas Automatic Total Flooding Extinguishing Systems have been fulfilled.”
Thus explains Henning Albøge of DBI adding that the following procedure has to be gone through in order to obtain a CE marking:
- A notified certification body has to select test items from the place of production.
- The test items selected must be tested in accordance with EN 12094-1 at a notified test laboratory, after which a test report has to be written.
- The notified certification body issues a CE certificate if the test result/report warrants this.
- The producer or importer prepares a “declaration of conformity” and can subsequently apply the CE mark to the product in accordance with the terms of the Construction Products Directive.
Requirement on system certification
Henning Albøge points out that there is still a variation in the installation requirements for total flooding extinguishing systems in individual member countries. Thus, in Denmark it is required as code of practice that both the detection element and the control and delay devices are system certified – even if they have been CPD certified. In order to obtain a system certificate for automatic total flooding extinguishing systems a test report has to be prepared. It should document an acceptable functionally balanced interaction between the detection, control and delay devices and the other system parts. This is exactly the same as applies to automatic fire alarm systems. The installation requirements in Regulation 253 on Inert Gas Automatic Total flooding Extinguishing Systems still have to be fulfilled. cf. the fact box. Here you can see an overview of automatic total flooding extinguishing systems that meet the applicable requirements. DBI carries out both CPD and system certifications and can be contacted if you need further information. CPD-certification
Control and delay devices for automatic total flooding extinguishing systems must be CE marked in accordance with the Construction Products Directive 89/106/CEE Ξ CPD) in order to comply with the harmonised standard DS/EN 12094-1 Fixed firefighting systems – Components for gas extinguishing systems – Part 1: Requirements and test methods for electrical automatic control and delay devices.
System certification
System certificates for automatic total flooding extinguishing systems can be issued on presentation of a report that meets the requirements of system testing in Regulation 232– The testing element.
The installation requirements in Regulation 253 on Inert Gas Automatic Total Flooding ExtinguishingSystems still have to be met.
Installation regulation 253 stipulates that the detection element must meet the requirements of Regulation 232 Automatic Fire Alarm Systems. This regulation requires that automatic fire alarm systems must be system certified, so that it has been documented that all elements of the system can work together correctly.
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