Standards and Certifications

European standards EN 1568 determines the performance of foam concentrates in terms of effectiveness on class B fires (hydrocarbons and polar solvents).

Part 1 covers performances using medium expansion and part 2 High expansion on hydrocarbon fires.

Parts 3 and 4 determine the effectiveness of foam concentrates used with low expansion on hydrocarbons and polar solvents respectively.

These standards are drawn up by groups of experts from foam concentrate manufacturers, professional users (such as the fire fighting departments of petrochemical and chemical industries, and fire brigades) and from independent fire laboratories.

These work groups are first of all national via AFNOR, then experts from each European country meet within the CEN to draw up the European standard.

The UL is an American laboratory that certifies different types of equipment and product and which also publishes its own standards.

The NFPA is an association for "fire protection", it draws up and publishes the American standards defined by technical committees: it is the equivalent of the CEN.

The Lastfire  fire tests were especially developed for and by oil companies such as BP, Total, Petronas, Qatar Petroleum…

The Groupe d’Etude de Sécurité des Industries Pétrolières et Chimiques is a French association originating from the main oil companies.

The test protocols have been adapted to the risks encountered on sites and define the minimum application rate depending on product performances.

The IMO standard is an international standard applicable to the Maritime sector.

The tests on fires described by the circulars cover fire risks for the navy.

The ICAO standard is an international standard covering airports.

This organisation proposes specific test protocols for Civil Aviation related fire risks.

In the matter of foam concentrates, it defines the physical-chemical properties and a performance requirement on kerosene fires.

British and French national agencies:

• CAA
• CNMSA