What is the value of having approved and certified products?
Approval and certification value can be perceived in different ways, some more tangible than others. Obviously, selling price needs to be considered, but it is not the only way to judge value.
Other areas of approval and certification value to be considered include:
- Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) over the life of the equipment
- Less-frequent calibrations due to better performance
- Situations in which approvals are mandated and not optional
- Reduction of risk and potential liability by having third-party approvals
- Possible reduction in insurance and underwriting costs
- Confidence of reliable and safe operation
- The potential costs involved in ignoring approved and certified life safety systems
What are the benefits of ISO International Standards?
ISO International Standards ensure that products and services are safe, reliable and of good quality. For business, they are strategic tools that reduce costs by minimizing waste and errors, and increasing productivity. They help companies to access new markets, level the playing field for developing countries and facilitate free and fair global trade.
ISO has over 20500 International Standards covering almost all aspects of technology and business. The most important ISO standards related to Fire&Gas Systems are:
ISO/TC 92 - Fire safety
ISO/TC 92/SC 1 Fire initiation and growth
ISO/TC 92/SC 2 Fire containment
ISO/TC 92/SC 3 Fire threat to people and environment
ISO/TC 92/SC 4 Fire safety engineering
ISO 13943:2008 Fire safety - Vocabulary
ATEX regulations
Since 2003, all equipment within the European Union (UE), used in potentially explosive atmospheres, is required to be compliant with ATEX directives.
The ATEX directives were drawn up to regulate placing on the European market of the products intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres, and the safety usage of these products.
There are two European ATEX directives:
- Directive 94/4/EC, establishing the conditions for placing on the European market, of the equipment and the protective systems intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres
From April 20, 2016 a new directive will take effect, Directive 2014/34/EU, which will replace Directive 94/4/EC, regarding the harmonization of laws of the Member States concerning equipment and protective systems intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres.
- Directive 1999/92/EC, on minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers who may be exposed to a potential risk from explosive atmospheres
Also, all equipment placed on the European market must bear the CE marking.