Fire sprinkler systems are life-safety systems. When choosing a company to design and install one, price should never be the only consideration.
One of the most important questions to ask is:
“Is your installer independently third-party certified for the type of sprinkler system they are installing?”
What does third-party certification mean?
Third-party certification means that an independent certification body has assessed the company rather than the installer simply declaring that its own work meets the required standard.
Depending on the certification scheme, this can include assessment of the company’s technical competence, quality-control procedures, installation work and the competency of the people responsible for the work.
Importantly, certification is not simply achieved once and forgotten about. Certified companies can be subject to continuing surveillance, audits and inspections to ensure the required standards continue to be maintained.
This gives homeowners, developers, housing providers, architects and principal contractors additional confidence that they are appointing a competent sprinkler contractor.
Why is this particularly important in Wales?
Automatic fire suppression systems have an important role within Welsh building regulations, with sprinkler systems required in many types of new residential premises.
A sprinkler system is designed to protect life, so its design, installation and commissioning need to be carried out correctly. Problems with pipework, sprinkler positioning, water supplies, hydraulic design or commissioning may not become obvious until the system is actually required.
Using an independently certified contractor provides another level of assurance that the company carrying out this specialist work has been independently assessed.
How can you check whether a sprinkler company really is certified?
Don’t simply rely on a logo displayed on a company’s website, quotation or van.
Ask the contractor which certification body they are registered with and request their current certificate and certification number.
You should then check the certification body’s official online directory yourself.
Check:
The company name matches the company you are employing.
The certificate is currently valid.
The certification covers residential and domestic sprinkler systems where this is the work being undertaken.
The scope of certification covers the work the company is offering to carry out.
If a company says it is third-party certified, you should be able to independently verify that claim.
RPW Fire Sprinklers – independently certified
RPW Fire Sprinklers is an IFC Certificated Installer of Active Fire Protection, Certificate IFCC 3290, for Residential and Domestic Sprinkler Systems.
Our current IFC directory listing covers Residential and Domestic Sprinkler Systems – Level 1, Category 1 and 2 only.
Our certification covers the requirements of the IFCC SDI 22 scheme and includes assessment and verification of our quality-control system, competency assessment and continuing surveillance, including random system design reviews and site audits.
For our customers, this provides independent evidence that our systems and working practices are subject to external assessment – rather than simply asking you to take our word for it.
Check before you appoint
Whether you are a homeowner, developer, housing association, architect or main contractor, take a few minutes to check the credentials of the sprinkler contractor you are considering.
Ask for the certificate. Check the certification number. Verify it directly with the certification body.
When you’re dealing with a life-safety system, independent verification matters.