Fire test center will provide Wheelmark certification t to Marine Equipment
WheelMark to Marine Equipment - Introduction
The mark which is affixed to products in compliance with the Marine Equipment Directive consists of a ships wheel together with the identification number of the Notified Body which carries out the production surveillance together with the last 2 digits of the year of manufacture.
The Marine Equipment Directive 96/98 EN has came into force on January 1st 1999 and covers a range of equipment carried on board ships registered under the flags of the European Union Member States. It was established to ensure that equipment which must comply with the requirements of international conventions (e.g. SOLAS) agreed by the International Maritime Organization also meets common standards of safety and performance across the EU. Approval requirements are also harmonized which ensures certificates issued in one Member State are accepted by all States across the EU. The Directive applies to all ‘Community Registered Ships’ and is mandatory from January 1, 2001.
WheelMark to Marine Equipment - Certification modules
The Marine Equipment Directive lists the required modules, type examination and attestation requirements for each product. The Notified Body could perform Modules B,D,E and F in accordance with the list of equipment, all relating to Fire Protection. The manufacturer has the option to select (except for primary deck coverings) between the following combinations of modules :B+D,B+E or B+F. For Fire Protection equipment, no one module is allowed in isolation.
> Module B
This is the EC Type Examination (formally Type Approval) and is the procedure by which the Notified Body ascertains and attests that a specimen of the product, representative of the envisaged production, meets the relevant provisions of the MED. The Notified Body either tests or witnesses tests and certifies (via a Type Examination Certificate) that the specimen complies with the criteria given in the Fire Test Procedures Code (IMO MSC 61 (67)).
> Module D
This module relates to production quality assurance and is linked therefore to ISO 9002 certification. The manufacturer must operate to an approved quality system which itself is subject to periodic surveillance. The quality system must apply to the production process, final product inspection and to quality control testing.
> Module E
The manufacturer must operate an approved quality system which is derived from ISO 9003 and relates to final product inspection, testing and must be subject to surveillance.
> Module F
This module is used when the manufacturer of the Fire Protection equipment does not operate a standardized quality assurance procedure. The Notified Body must conduct appropriate inspections and examinations in order to certify the conformity of the product according to a statistical procedure.
WheelMark to Marine Equipment – Products involved
> Primary deck coverings
> “A” and “B” class divisions, fire integrity
> Non-combustible materials used in “A”, “B” and “C” class devision
> Material other than steel for pies coveying oil or fuel pipe
> Fire Doors
> Fire door control systems
> Surface materials and floor covering with low-flame spread characteristics
> Draperies, curtains and suspended textile materials and films
> Upholstered furniture
> Bedding components
> Fire Dampers
> Non-combustible duct penetrations through “A” class divisions
> Electric cable transits through “A” class divisions
> Window and side scuttles
WheelMark to Marine Equipment - Procedure：
1. Client complete application form and submits this with product details to Notified body
2. Notified body decide on a test programme
3. Set up and conduct a pre-test inspection visit to the manufacturing plant to check the factory production control system. This checks that the product is manufactured under a quality-controlled system and includes the witnessing of the manufacture of the product. The specimens to be tested will be identified and inspector oversees the transport arrangements to the test laboratory. A report is issued covering the visit.
4. Conduct the tests and issue the reports.
5. Issue the module B and module D certification and enter clients and product details into worldwide product approvals database.
6. Conduct factory inspection annually.
7. Certificates / product approval reviewed every 5 years.
Fire Test to Marine Equipment according to IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC：
> IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 1: Non-combustibility test
> IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 2: Smoke and toxicity test
> IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 3: Test for A,B and F Class Divisions
> IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 4: Fire Test for fire door control system
> IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 5: Fire Test for surface flammability
> IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 6: Fire Test for primary deck coverings
> IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 7: Fire Test for vertically supported textiles and films
> IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 8: Fire Test for upholstered furniture
> IMO MSC 61(67) / IMO FTPC Part 9: Fire Test for bedding components
> IMO MSC 40(64) / ISO 9705 and ISO 5660: Material used for High Speed Craft
> WheelMark - MED 96/98/EC
> Certification for USCG (US Coast Guard)
For more detailed information about WheelMark