Safety in the making

摘要

The quality of sprinkler products for industrial and commercial installations is ensured by comprehensive approval systems. Approval - often known as certification or listing - is an independent third-party confirmation that a product or system meets, and continues to meet, an appropriate standard. Product approval for sprinkler equipment thus has two facets: the testing of the product to a standard specification; and the quality control of manufacturing. Sprinklers have been tested to rigorous standards for over 100 years, making sprinkler equipment, particularly the sprinkler heads, probably the most tested of simple mechanical devices. In Europe, the test standards developed by insurers' test laboratories in the UK and Germany are the basis for EN standards now coming into use. For industrial and commercial premises, tests are conducted - in line with the installation codes BS 5306-2:1990: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Specification for sprinkler systems and BS EN 12845:2003: Firefighting systems -Automatic sprinkler systems - Design installation and maintenance. Tests are carried out on the full range of sprinkler equipment, including: 1. sprinkler heads 2. alarm valves 3. pumps 4. pipe couplings 5. tanks.