AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CERTIFIRE SCHEME

Passive fire protection systems play a crucial role in achieving acceptable levels of life safety and property protection in modern buildings, by limiting the spread of fire and smoke and maintaining the stability of a structure. The effectiveness of passive fire protection systems is dependent upon many factors which include:

• appropriate testing and appraisal of systems
• correct specification and selection of systems
• quality and consistency of manufactured components or systems
• correct installation of systems
• identification of passive fire protection systems, limiting the potential for inadvertent damage
• on-going maintenance and inspection

This is achieved by:

• appraisal of all test data and opinions/assessments from registered testing authorities against published procedures, Certifire schedules, appropriate Australian standards and the Building Code of Australia;
• preparation of certificates clearly defining the field of application of passive fire protection systems which are published in the Certifire compendium;
• requiring all Certifire manufacturers/distributors to operate quality systems and regular auditing of these quality systems to ensure they cover key aspects such as traceability and the quality systems are operated correctly;
• assessment of the competency of key personnel in the manufacturing, distribution and installation phases;
• requiring all Certifire installation contractors to operate quality systems and regular auditing these quality systems; and
• preparation of Certifire log books and labelling procedures where appropriate.

AUTHORITY

The Certifire scheme is a scheme from Exova Warringtonfire (Aus) Pty Ltd (EWFA). EWFA is NATA registered for performing fire resistance tests on elements of building construction in accordance with AS1530.4, and provides testing and assessment services which meet the Evidence of suitability requirements of the Building Code of Australia. EWFA checks all product certificates for technical accuracy prior to publication by Certifire.

CERTIFIRE SCHEME FOR PASSIVE FIRE SYSTEMS AND CONTRACTORS

BACKGROUND

In 1988, Scientific Services Laboratory (SSL) set up a certification and listing scheme for active fire protection equipment that has become widely recognised throughout Australia and overseas.

From that date, SSL came under pressure by many in the fire protection field to develop a similar scheme for passive fire protection systems. Major Commonwealth organisations such as the Commonwealth Fire Board, Telecom Australia and Department of Defence, and other key industry groups saw problems in the passive industry that could be solved by an independent certification scheme.

These problems included:

• omission of passive fire protection systems
• use of untested systems
• incorrect specification and/or installation
• unapproved variation from tested prototypes
• lack of maintenance
• unsuitability for a particular application
• confusion about validity of test data.

The results were often costly delays for rectification works or if not discovered, an increase in the risk to building occupants and the fire services and a substantial increase in fire losses. While SSL had expertise in active systems and operation of quality assurance and certification schemes, it lacked knowledge and experience of the passive fire industry. As a result, SSL made plans in 1992 to choose an industry partnership to develop a passive scheme.

The criteria set by SSL were for a partner that was:

• fully commercial
• recognised as expert in passive fire protection
• not involved in product research and development (and hence had no conflict of interest in certification)
• export oriented, with established international links.

After some nine months of development, SSL and EWFA signed a unique partnership arrangement in August 1993 and Certifire Pty. Ltd. was formed to manage the Certifire Scheme for passive fire protection. This scheme covers both the suppliers of fire protection systems, and the contractors who install these systems.

In August 2004, the Commonwealth left the Partnership and the scheme is now operated by EWFA.

CERTIFIRE ACCOUNTABILITY

In November 1993 the scheme was announced to industry at the Fire Australia conference in Canberra and the first meeting of the Certifire Advisory Panel (CAP) was held. The broadly based Advisory Panel was constituted with a balanced number of representatives from all sectors of industry. Its role was to ensure the CERTIFIRE scheme was responsive to industry needs and remained cost effective.

The CAP includes representatives from:

• Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
• Assoc. of Consulting Building Surveyors
• Department of Defence
• FPA Australia
• Insurance Council of Australia
• Institute of Fire Engineers
• Insurance Surveyors Group
• Standards Australia

Companies entering the scheme are assessed against the specific Certifire schedule requirements for the type of systems they are manufacturing, supplying or installing. The schedules are based on Australian Standards, where available, and quality assurance is assessed to AS/NZS/ISO9000 standards or Certifire QA requirements. Company personnel are evaluated in terms of Certifire competency criteria that are referenced to industry competency and training schemes, where available.

The aim is to provide a certification scheme that is effective but does not duplicate effort or unnecessarily add to the costs of companies being certified. The objective is to permit companies to maintain the relationship with their preferred test laboratory, QA provider and training body.

PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS

Certifire began processing the first applications from passive systems suppliers and contractors around Australia in 1994.

Manufacturing premises and building sites are visited together with close scrutiny of company operating procedures and record keeping. All firms are required to have a quality system with a quality manual and documented procedures to ensure traceability of materials.

Detailed certificates are prepared for products/systems identifying the information required by specifiers and authorities, the field of application, based on test data and opinions from registered testing authorities and installation requirements. These are compiled in a consistent manner and published on the website www.certifire.com.au

Each company entering the Certifire scheme is provided with a display certificate identifying the systems they are qualified to manufacture/supply or install under the Certifire Scheme.

BENEFITS

The Certifire Scheme continues to evolve with on-going input from all sectors of the fire protection industry ensuring its relevance, technical integrity and cost effectiveness to the Australian passive fire protection industry.

The benefits to flow from the creation of the Certifire scheme include:

• an improvement in performance and quality in the passive field;
• the identification of suppliers’ and contractors’ commitment to supplying quality products and systems to prospective customers;
• savings to the construction industry through reduction in disruption and costly rectification works on-site;
• clear definition of the field of application for a system;
• improved life safety and reduction in property loss and exposure of fire brigades;
• assistance to building surveyors and fire authorities inspecting new construction or maintenance of passive systems; and
• export opportunities for Australian companies, in Asia and Europe particularly, through the international Certifire links.