Ensuring Fire Safety: The Importance of Testing & Certification as per Indian Standards

-by Sandy Dweik, CEO of Thomas Bell-Wright International UK,Gulf,Europe,India & South Asia
Sandy Dweik, an Architectural Engineer with a 27-year career at Thomas Bell-Wright International Consultants, has risen from Façade Consultant to CEO. Her in-depth knowledge of façade engineering, honed through hands-on experience on hundreds of landmark projects across the Middle East, India, and the subcontinent, has been instrumental in shaping the company's global reputation.
Dweik has been at the forefront of implementing industry standards, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable façade solutions. Her unparalleled expertise in façade technical review, curtain wall testing, and fire compliance has positioned Thomas Bell-Wright as a leader in the field. Renowned for her technical acumen, Dweik is a frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences.

Fire safety is a critical concern in India's rapidly growing construction landscape. With increasing urbanization and the construction of complex buildings, the need for stringent fire safety measures has never been more pressing. Thomas Bell-Wright (TBW) has made considerable efforts to develop a solution for certifying products tested according to Indian Standards, marking a significant advancement in this area.

The Role of Certification and Listing

Certification and listing are fundamental to ensuring that fire safety products meet the necessary performance standards. In many cases, it is challenging to establish a connection between the manufactured product and what is delivered to the site. Certification is a process that bridges this gap. The aim of this exercise is to enable manufacturers to demonstrate that their production consistently adheres to the Testing Standard throughout the fabrication process, thereby establishing confidence in the product's performance.

Why Testing to Indian Standards is Crucial

India's National Building Code by Bureau of Indian Standards along with state-wise fire acts and various technical regulations, prescribe specific requirements for fire safety products. Certification and Testing of products to Indian Standards ensures that these products can withstand the conditions they might face during a fire. For instance, the TBW certification covers a range of products such as fire-resistant doors, hardware, separating assemblies, and more. These products can be tested to Indian Standards like IS 17518 (IS 3614-2) for fire doors and door sets, IS 16947or 16945 for doors with glass panes, and various IS/ISO 834 series for load-bearing and non-load-bearing elements.

The Certification Process

While test reports pertain solely to the sample tested, certification is a process that links production to performance, as verified by testing. This includes:

1. Pre-Test Sampling Audit: Evaluating the quality control processes and selecting test specimen(s) from the production line.
2. Testing in Accredited Laboratories: Conducting tests in an accredited lab to ensure products meet the specified standards and benchmark performance.
3. Initial Factory Production Control (FPC) Audit: Performing a comprehensive audit to verify that manufacturing processes comply with required standards.
4. Periodic Surveillance Audits: Conducting regular follow-up audits to ensure ongoing compliance with required standards, thereby enabling the manufacturer to maintain certification and keep their product listing active on TBWCERT.com.
5. Traceability and Verification: Marking each certified product with a unique identifier and QR code, ensuring complete traceability of manufacturing.

Benefits of Certification

Certification to Indian Standards offers multiple benefits:

• Compliance with Regulations: Ensures products meet the legal and technical requirements set by various authorities.
• Enhanced Quality: Ensures that the manufacturer recognizes the importance of quality assurance and produces products consistently.
• Market Trust: Builds trust among buyers, specifiers, and end-users regarding the authenticity and quality of the products.
• Global Recognition: As TBW is accredited to international standards (ISO 17065 and ISO 17067), certified products also gain international credibility.

TBW's Certification Offerings

TBW's offerings include certifications for a wide range of fire safety products such as:

• Fire-resistant doors and hardware
• Fire-resistant separating assemblies
• Exterior wall assemblies and building materials
• Safety glass
• Fire-stopping materials and assemblies

These products are tested and certified to ensure they meet both Indian and international standards, thus ensuring a high level of safety and reliability.

Conclusion

As India continues to build and expand its infrastructure, the importance of stringent fire safety measures cannot be overstated. Certification and testing as per Indian Standards play a vital role in this ecosystem, ensuring that products are reliable and effective. The comprehensive certification process offered by TBWIC not only enhances safety but also builds market trust, ensuring that all stakeholders—from manufacturers to end-users—are confident in the performance of fire safety products.

In a country as vast and diverse as India, with varying building regulations and standards, such certification programs are essential to harmonize safety practices and safeguard lives and properties across the nation.