Inspection and certification - High-expansion foam system
Bureau Veritas inspects your high-expansion foam system
High-expansion foam systems have been used for decades to protect buildings and stored goods against the effects of fire. They are particularly suitable in situations where water is a less appropriate extinguishing agent, for example when protecting storage buildings containing certain hazardous substances, including PGS 15 storage facilities.
In some situations, the user or owner installs a high-expansion foam system to reduce fire risks. In other situations, an insurer requires such a system as part of an insurance agreement, or a government authority makes it a condition for granting a building or environmental permit.
The high-expansion foam system must be appropriate for the risk against which it provides protection. An inspection certificate may be required to demonstrate adequate protection. Bureau Veritas independently assesses the system against the documented design basis, standards and other requirements. Depending on the scope of the inspection, we assess the design basis, the detailed design, the completed system and its interaction with other fire protection systems. Where the agreed assignment includes inspection of the completed system, an inspection certificate may be issued following a positive final inspection conclusion.
Applications of high-expansion foam systems
High-expansion foam systems can be used to meet the requirements of an environmental permit for the industrial storage of hazardous substances. Within the applicable requirements, users of storage buildings can have the system configured to meet their specific operational needs.
Standards and codes
Standards and codes that may apply to inspections of high-expansion foam systems include NFPA 11, NFPA 15 and NFPA 16. NEN 2535 applies to the fire detection and alarm system required to activate the high-expansion foam system, while NEN 2575 applies to the evacuation alarm system.
Inspection under the CCV inspection schemes
Inspections may be carried out against derived objectives under the applicable CCV fire protection inspection scheme. Depending on the agreed scope, Bureau Veritas assesses the documented design basis, the detailed design and the completed system. Where the agreed assignment includes inspection of the completed system, an inspection certificate may be issued following a positive final inspection conclusion.
Inspection of high-expansion foam systems may also be required at PGS sites under an environmental permit that refers to PGS 15. The relevant CCV inspection schemes for the basis-of-design document and for fire protection at hazardous-substance storage facilities may then apply. Explore our inspection services for sprinkler systems.
RvA accreditation
For inspection activities that fall within the accredited scope, Bureau Veritas is accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA) under registration number I 002 as an independent Type A inspection body. Depending on the system and agreed scope, this may include inspections against derived objectives, inspections of conformity with the UPD-PGS and inspections of conformity with applicable standards. We also carry out sample inspections on behalf of certification bodies where applicable.
More information
Would you like more information about our inspection services or their possible applications? Contact our Fire Safety department directly on +31 (0)88 450 5670.
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