5 reasons we recommend firas accreditation

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Who are firas?

firas are one of the key regulators within the sprinkler industry. LifeSaver Engineering are accredited, and our work is audited, by them. You can find our profile here. For more information on firas itself, please see our dedicated firas article or the firas website.

1: Third party accreditation is needed to by components

It can’t be avoided. If you want to provide sprinkler systems in our industry, you need to be third party approved. Key components, such as the sprinkler heads themselves and cPVC pipe (including both blazemaster and Flameguard) can only be purchased with third party accreditation.

If you have been offered a system from a company who is not third party approved, then either:

  • The company has been issued a letter of comfort while they undergo their accreditation process, which can be verified by contacting firas (or the relevant third party) themselves; or
  • You’re being sold a lemon

Vendors only sell these components to competent installers because poor installation can lead to leaks, failed certification and (in the worst case) become a threat to life in the event of a fire. We’re competent, so demonstrating that via accreditation was a no brainer for us.

2: firas accreditation is led by the engineering

There are alternative third party accreditation schemes out there, such as the LPCB (which is led by insurers) and KIWA (aka IFC, which is led by fitters). firas place their focus on the fundamental design of the systems. They understand both the limits and the potential of the systems.

We fully respect the approaches of the other schemes. However, we believe that taking an engineering first approach allows us to:

  • Implement the most suitable solution for the development in front of us, rather than apply a cookie cutter approach (which insurers can often prefer)
  • Place a greater emphasis on post installation checks to insure that the system, as it has actually been installed, hasn’t varied beyond compliance during the fitting stage (which we feel may be lost by placing the emphasis on the fitting itself)

3: firas accreditation regulates quality without restricting solutions

The LPCB were introduced at a time when fire suppression was focused on largely industrial and commercial applications. Since the Grenfell disaster, the landscape for fire regulations has changed massively – and so has industry appetite.

One of the hallmarks of LPCB accreditation is the regulation of the components themselves. The LPCB prefer to stipulate exactly which components are suitable for a system. This works well in theory, but in practice: it has created a system which hasn’t adapted well to the residential market.

For example: at least one of the only two LPCB accredited sprinkler tank providers out there only provides tanks over 7,000 litres. That’s the equivalent of around 50 bathtubs. Far too much for the typical residential or domestic property. Yet, if a non-LPCB component is used, the system is deemed non-compliant. Notably, it can take several years to undergo the testing required for a component to become LPCB approved.

firas are more flexible than this. Instead, the requirements of the components are stipulated and reviewed during the accreditation and audit stages. This allows firas and the installers they oversee, to stay light on their feet, adapt with the market, and (crucially) keep up with best practices which may extend beyond sprinklers.

4: firas accreditation is overseen by Warringtonfire

Warringtonfire oversee the firas accreditation scheme for sprinkler installers

The firas scheme itself is overseen by Warringtonfire, which is well established within the industry. Warringtonfire is a part of element and are reliable for a number of reasons including:

Accreditation and Certification: They are accredited by various national and international organisations, which ensures that their testing and certification processes meet rigorous standards.

Expertise and Experience: With decades of experience in fire safety testing and consultancy, Warringtonfire has built a reputation for its knowledgeable staff and comprehensive understanding of fire behavior and safety regulations.

Comprehensive Services: They offer a wide range of services, including fire testing for materials, systems, and products, as well as risk assessments and regulatory compliance guidance. This breadth of services makes them a go-to resource for many industries.

Research and Development: Warringtonfire is involved in ongoing research to advance the understanding of fire safety and engineering practices, contributing to the development of new standards and methodologies.

Industry Reputation: Their work is respected by manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and industry professionals, often leading to partnerships and collaborations that further enhance their credibility.

5: Examinations and site visits

Not all third party schemes undertake the same assessments before accrediting a company. firas require installers to pass a number of tests which include:

  • Competency exams (pen and paper);
  • Site audits;
  • Office audits;
  • Design audits.

We felt assured that this was a well rounded set of assessments which would both validate our own competency, but also highlight any potential areas to improve.

Read more from the Sprinkler Academy for Developers and Regulators

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