Research And Insight
Fire protection standard
A fire protection standard is a document with mandatory provisions to indicate requirements for planning, installation and maintenance of fire extinguishing systems (such as sprinkler systems, and water mist, gas and foam systems). Overall requirements demanded from the components, such as performance, specifications and listings, is to some degree included.
Fire protection standards can be written by independent organizations (NFPA, VDS, BSi etc.), insurance associations (CEA) or State authorities (CNBOP, OKF etc.) to minimize the possibility and effects of fires.
The standards are primarily used in the country of origin, but other countries can adopt a standard in lieu of their own.
| Standard writers | Country of origin |
| NFPA, National Fire Protection Association | USA |
| VdS, Vertrauen durch Sicherheit | Germany |
| BS, British Standard | England |
| AS, Australian Standard | Australia |
| UNI, Italian Standards | Italy |
| CEN, European Committee For Standardisation | EU countries |
| CEPREVEN, Centro Nacional de Prevención de Danõs y Pérdidas | Spain |
APSAD, Assemblee Pleniere des Societes d'Assurances Dommages |
France |
| SAC, Standardization Administration of China | China |
| NPB, Norms of Fire Safety | Russia |
| SABS, South African Bureau of Standards | South Africa |
| SBF, Svenska Brandskyds Förening | Sweden |
| DBI, Dansk Brand- og sikringsteknisk Institut | Denmark |
European countries intend to harmonize the EN standards all over Europe, instead of having individual fire standards in each country. A fire protection standard typically covers:
- Planning (buildings, hazard types, design criteria, water supplies, components)
- Installation (type, design characteristics, pipe-work, commissioning)
- Maintenance (user inspection and test, service and maintenance schedule)
The building owner will decide the standard to be used in collaboration with his insurance company and local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The insurance company will have a major influence as to which standard will be used to ensure proper functionality and quality, since the insurance company will try to minimize damages and loss of human lives.
Fire component standard
A fire component standard is a document with mandatory provisions to indicate requirements and testing methods for components or materials to be used within the fire protection system installation.
Fire component standards can be written by independent product safety certification organizations, insurance companies or state related authorities.
The component standards are intended to describe the requirements of the components to ensure conditions of performance, safety and quality. They also describe the quality control in manufacturing to ensure a consistently uniform and reliable component.
The standards specify the criteria for listing the components (component that have been evaluated by an approved testing laboratory), as guidance for the approval body, manufacturers and authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Consultants may want to check the certification documents of the components before or at the delivery, and the authority having jurisdiction should always check the approval number on the nameplate.
Grundfos supplies fire pumps that meet fire protection standards and fire component standards for industrial and commercial fire protection.