Intertek and SEI Complete First Testing and Certification of Bunker Gear to NFPA 1971
Added NFPA 1971 capabilities for the evaluation of structural firefighting garments provides manufacturers with a complete solution for testing and certification
Boxborough, MA (PRWEB) August 8, 2008 -- Intertek (LSE: ITRK), a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, and the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), a private, nonprofit organization that administers non-governmental, third party certification programs, announced today that together, they have completed their first testing and certification of a structural firefighting garment to NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.
Over the last 18 years, SEI and Intertek have forged an alliance with the aim of protecting workers and consumers who rely on Personal Protective Equipment. Throughout the tenure of the alliance, Intertek and SEI have been testing and certifying structural firefighting boots, and helmets. With the addition of new capabilities to test to NFPA 1971, manufacturers now have a complete service solution for the testing and certification of all structural firefighting ensembles, which significantly reduces the time for these essential life saving products to enter the market.
The NFPA 1971 standard sets requirements for the design, performance, testing and certification of structural firefighting protective ensembles. This includes coats, trousers, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, interface components and accessories that can be attached to the ensemble. The ensembles are put through a rigorous series of tests to determine levels of protection from elements such as fire, chemicals, and biological agents.
"The addition of a component acceptance program with SEI to NFPA 1971 gives manufacturers a complete testing and certification package," says Gregg Tiemann, President, Intertek. "This new service will help us provide clients with greater efficiencies in testing and certification and, most importantly, enable the launch of life saving products to market faster than ever before."
Intertek is the preferred testing laboratory for many SEI certification programs. Products are tested and submitted for certification in the SEI programs for a number of protective equipment product categories and associated standards. Intertek's experts are members of organizations such as NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and participate on their standards writing committees. The Cortland, NY laboratory is equipped with a state-of-the-art protective equipment facility for complete, accurate and repeatable test results.
Contacts
For further information, please contact
Nicole Kimmick, Field Marketing Manager
Telephone: 978-635-8550
About Intertek's testing and certification services
The Commercial & Electrical division of Intertek provides testing and certification services, including product safety testing and certification, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, performance testing, and management systems certification. These services provide global market access to customers in industries such as building products and materials. Visit www.intertek-etlsemko.com for further information or to contact your local Intertek office.
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading international provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of global and local industries. Partnership with Intertek brings increased value to customers' products and processes, ultimately supporting their success in the global market place. Intertek has the experience, expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through their network of more than 1000 laboratories and offices, 21,000 people in 110 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.intertek.com.
About SEI
SEI is a private, nonprofit organization that administers non-governmental, third party certification programs for a broad range of safety and protective products. The purpose of SEI's programs is to assist government agencies, users, and manufacturers of safety equipment to ensure that protective equipment complies with the most current and comprehensive national standards. SEI sponsors certification programs for 23 categories of protective equipment. To view the SEI Certified Products List, visit www.seinet.org.
SEI is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to the standard ISO Guide 65, General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems. The prestigious ANSI Accreditation affirms that SEI's certification programs comply with ten international guides pertaining to testing, inspection and certification. SEI is the only safety and protective equipment certifier to achieve this status. SEI certification programs differ from typical safety labeling and listing programs in that SEI contracts with independent testing and quality assurance organizations. The different organizations, each being experts in the functions they fulfill, provide a system of checks and balances that maintain the independence of each function and the integrity of the whole.
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