CertAlarm completes fourth cycle of round-robin tests

by Featured NewsSafety

CertAlarm, an organization offering a pan-European quality mark in the fire protection and security systems industry, today confirmed the completion of its 4th cycle of round-robin test series.

Round-robin tests are comparative tests performed by the participating laboratories at regular intervals and using the same test sample. As such they are an important monitoring tool for CertAlarm’s partners and recognized test laboratories. They enable quality supervisors and management to place the results obtained by the laboratory performing the tests in a wider framework and to identify problems and initiate actions for improvement.

In particular, round-robin tests help to bring to light inconsistencies in the testing systems or methods and can give rise to necessary corrective action, e.g.:

  • interpretation of standards,
  • calibration/maintenance of the testing equipment,
  • training of the laboratory personnel,
  • adjustment of influencing factors relevant to testing (e.g. climate).

“In order to improve our program we specifically select tests which have proven to be difficult to perform or have shown in the market place that inconsistencies exist in approved products. One of the tests selected for this cycle’s series was therefore the measurement of the make and break distances of opening contacts according to EN 50131-2-6 (clause 6.4.2). The criticality of this test lays in the interpretation of the PASS/FAIL criteria in coherence with the manufacturer declaration and the requirements in clause 4.3.1.2 and 4.3.1.3.”, says Benoît Stockbroeckx, Technical Manager of Euralarm and Chair of CertAlarm’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG).

“As a matter of fact, diverging interpretations highlighted unclarity in the wording of the standard. This issue has been brought to the relevant standardisation working group (CLC/TC 79/WG 2) and the discussions paved the way for an improvement of the standard in view of a future revision. Thanks to this exercise we can now be sure that all of CertAlarm’s labs will test and conclude according to this understanding in the future. Moreover, CertAlarm so contributed to the improvement of the standard for the benefit of all European laboratories, certification bodies and manufacturers dealing with opening contacts”, he adds.

“The round-robin procedure helps us understand if we are doing things right and providing our customers the same level of results”, confirms Anja Kinsky, General Manager of CertAlarm.

CertAlarm announces new Chair of Technical Advisory Group

by People

CertAlarm, an organisation offering a pan-European quality mark in the fire protection and security systems industry, has appointed Dr. Benoît Stockbroeckx as new Chair of its Technical Advisory Group (TAG). The TAG is CertAlarm’s organ to provide technical guidance on issues such as the interpretation of the respective standards or on the monitoring of the competence and integrity of the participating certification bodies and test laboratories.

Dr. Benoît Stockbroeckx, who is Technical Manager of Euralarm, the European trade association representing the fire and security Industry, was until recently Head of Division Laboratory at ANPI, a Belgian association in the field of fire and theft prevention in which all industrial federations and professional associations as well as the government are represented. He is also an expert in several working groups within CENELEC TC79 and has a long experience within CEN TC72.

“I have always been convinced that a pan-European certification based on mutual recognition can benefit the whole fire and security market and I look forward to contributing further to this objective”, says Dr. Benoît Stockbroeckx.

“Dr. Stockbroeckx has many years of experience in the field of fire protection and security system products certification. He is also a proven expert in the field of alarm transmission systems. We are therefore delighted to be able to build on his experience in the future”, adds Anja Kinsky, General Manager of CertAlarm.

https://certalarm.org/