Because fire detection systems are about protecting lives and livelihoods, Eurotech’s customers need to be assured that the products they are buying have been properly designed, manufactured and quality controlled to a consistently high standard. Eurotech can prove this with all of its products being assessed and approved by third parties, giving them quality marks from the LPCB, VdS, BSI and NF.
Fire detection manufacturers may only use these marks once their products have been fully tested by an independent third party laboratory to a recognised standard. A successful factory production audit also has to be completed at the manufacturer’s premises, which themselves have to be ISO 9000 compliant.
Once the tests and inspections are complete, a third party certification body will review all of the results and award a certificate. Although the manufacturer can now apply the certification body’s quality mark to the product, the process does not end there.
Maintaining the use of a quality mark means a continual process of quality control. Any design changes to the certificated product have to be agreed by the certification body and annual factory and product audits are required. The end result? Complete assurance for Eurotech’s customers.
In Europe the standards for assessing the suitability of products for use in automatic fire detection systems are set out within the EN54 series. Details of some of these standards are listed in the table below.
| Standard Number |
Description |
| EN54-2 |
Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Control and indicating equipment |
| EN54-4 |
Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Power supply equipment |
| EN54-5 |
Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Heat detectors. Point detectors |
| EN54-7 |
Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Smoke detector. Point detectors using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization |
| EN54-18 |
Fire detection and fire alarm systems. Input/output devices |
Most of the EN54 standard series have also been harmonised, which means that fire detection products with these standards must also comply with the mandatory requirements of the Construction Products Directive 89/106/EEC (CPD). The CPD is a European New Approach Directive embodied in the regulatory framework of the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA). This ensures the free flow of goods within the borders of the EEA. For the UK, the part of this legislation relating to fire protection is embodied in the Building Regulations, Approved Document B.
The simplest way for Eurotech to demonstrate that their products comply with the CPD is to apply the CE mark to the product. To do this, Eurotech’s products are tested to the relevant EN54 standard by a Notified Body, along with a factory production control audit. The Notified Body then awards an EC Certificate of Conformity, the manufacturer makes a Declaration of Compliance and applies the CE Mark to the product. Eurotech must carry out suitable checks to ensure that the product continues to comply with the design requirements.
Compliance with the CPD is a legal requirement throughout the EEA, but its requirements are not as rigorous as those of a certification body.
Applying the CE Mark to a product used in fire detection systems requires more than demonstrating compliance with the CPD; other directives must also be complied with. These include the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89/336/EEC (EMCD) and the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC (LVD). Depending on the use to which the product is put to then compliance with the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC and the Marine Equipment Directive 96/98/EC (MED) may also be required. Eurotech can supply a copy of the Declaration of Conformity should you require further reassurance.
Listings
All LPCB approved fire safety and security products are listed in the Red Books. Published annually and used across the world, the Red Books have become the de-facto directory of approved and trusted fire and security products and services. They are also available online at
www.redbooklive.com, where the lists are constantly updated with the latest information.
LPCB Certificates
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EURVC-P
EURV-P |
EURV-H-A1R
EURV-H-CS
EURVC-H-A2S
EURVC-H-CS
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EURV-P
EURVC-P
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EURV-PH |
EC Conformity Certificates
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| EURV-ABS |
EURVC-H-A2S |
EURVC-H-CS |
EURVC-P |
EURV-H-A1R |
EURV-H-CS |
EURV-P |
EURV-PH |
Self Declaration Certificates
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| EURV-ABS |
EURVC-H-A2S |
EURVC-H-CS |
EURVC-P |
EURV-H-A1R |
EURV-H-CS |
EURV-P |
EURV-PH |