How buildingproducts are certified

If fns rHE DESTcN of a new buildV Y ing product comes the question every manufacturer must ask: Should I certify it? In short, the answer is yes. Putting a product through the certification process is a matter of compliance and will save manufacturers time and money in the long run.

Certification allows manufacturers to sell their products in the global marketplace. Building codes outlined by the International Code Council (ICC) have been unified, permitting manufacturers to demonstrate compliance to a large geographic area through one set of certification documents. Certification to applicable standards also allows products to be placed on the shelves of commercial outlets.

Those who choose not to gain certification to building codes and industry standards must prove compliance with each individual jurisdiction, an often expensive and laborious method for gaining approval. In addition, their products do not have the ability to be sold through commercial channels.

The certification process is efficient and extremely beneficial for manufacturers to gain market access, and can be broken down into four steps. For starters, it is advantageous to partner with a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) that understands building codes and industry standards and can help ensure manufacturers test their products to the proper requirements. There are even a few testins laboratories that can provide manufacturers with the research reports necessary to prove that a product functions properly and demonstrates building code compliance.

Once a manufacturer has connected with an NRTL, the next step is to work with the laboratory to develop a test plan to achieve the necessary requirements. In order to develop this plan, manufacturers must understand their market from both an application perspective and a geographic perspective. Where the product will be used on a building and whether it will be in a residential or commercial structure will determine the intensity of the testing that must be performed.

In addition, requirements vary between regions, so it is important for manufacturers to know exactly which locations they want to sell their products in. as it will dictate the tvpes of tests conducted.

After a test plan has been determined, the testing and evaluation phase begins. While physical tests are performed, engineering evaluations based on prior, commonly known data are also often used. NRTLs are familiar with how different materials perform under various types of conditions and levels of stress. It is this extrapolation conducted by engineers that enables manufacturers to extend the application of a product without having to conduct unnecessary tests. Testing and evaluation is not about testing every potential application, but about the benefits of evaluating to a wide variety of potential applications.

After a product has successfully completed the testing and evaluation process it can then be certified, indi- cating that applicable industry standards have been met. Once certified, it is important for manufacturers to demonstrate that the product remains as it was when it was first tested. This is done through ongoing surveillance by the third party NRTL, which provides a variety of required follow-up services depending on the product and its intended application.

Previously, certification was seen as a purely necessary process performed solely for the purpose of selling products in desired markets. Now, accredited certification bodies are adding more value to the process through updated product certification directories. Previously basic and barebones, these directories currently contain links to manufacturers' websites and easy navigation tools, allowing industry professionals to search for a product by standard or performance level, among other options. They have become a great resource for engineers, architects and specifiers trying to find the right product to fit their building needs.

Another benefit of certification is that it preserves manufacturers' test data, allowing them to prove compliance years down the road. In North America, as long as a manufacturer demonstrates that their product has not changed and still complies with the standards originally tested to, that product will remain certified no matter how old the test report is. However, it is important to remember that different parts of the world have different requirements. For example, a fiveyear-old test report is too old in Europe, whether it proves certification or not.

For manufacturers, the testing and certification process can allow them to extend their products' reach in the global marketplace. By partnering with an NRTL, manufacturers can ensure that all the necessary tests are performed and standards are met. In the long run, these laboratories help manufacturers save time and money and provide a competitive advantage through placement in product directories consulted by a wide variety of industry professionals. When it comes to testing and certification, the question should be when-not if.

- Tom Patterson is director of certificationfor building products for the Americas region for Intertek. He serves as a board member and treasurer for the Air Barrier Association of America. Reach him via www.intertek.com.

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