LPS 1301 Issue 1.1 Requirements for the approval of sprinkler installers in the UK and Ireland for residential and domestic sprinkler systems

Benefits of the LPS 1301 scheme

Automatic sprinklers are installed in residential and domestic premises to safeguard life, property and the environment. Equipment designs and system configurations are continuously evolving. In order to ensure adequate protection, sprinkler system installers (hereinafter called the Firm) need an appropriate level of technical competency in both design and installation.

This scheme has been prepared by an Expert Group drawn from installers, local government, insurers and clients to help:

• Clients select Firms.
• Ensure that sprinkler systems are appropriate for the occupancy and/or hazard class of the premises in which they are installed, and will operate reliably in the event of a fire.

It has been approved by the LPC (Fire & Security) Board.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for residential and domestic sprinkler systems are set out in BS 9251.

This document sets out the basis for the approval of Firms under this scheme. Key terms are defined in the glossary.

LPCB Listing

All Firms approved by the LPCB to carry out the design, installation and servicing of residential and domestic sprinkler systems will be listed in the LPCB List of Approved Fire and Security Products and Services known as the Red Book. (To view go to www.redbooklive.com.)

Any listing awarded by LPCB remains valid only whilst the Firm continues to meet the scheme requirements as defined in this and related documents.

Where a Firm operates design and installation work from more than one location, then separate approvals must be obtained for each. Offices undertaking only sales and/or emergency service work are not covered by this scheme.

Change of Company Identity or Particulars

The Firm should promptly notify the LPCB of any changes relating to their compliance with this scheme, including a change of company identity, legal entity, company registration and/or location. The Firm shall notify any changes using LPCB publication PN 112.

Application and Assessment

The Firm shall submit a completed application form. If the application is acceptable the Firm will be invoiced for the application fee. On payment of the application fee, the LPCB will contact the Firm to arrange an assessment audit. On completion of a satisfactory assessment and the close out of any resulting reports (non-compliance or observations) the Firm will be issued with a certificate and their details included in the LPCB Red Book.

The Firm shall provide a completed Contract Log BF665 listing all residential and domestic sprinkler contracts completed in the 12 month period prior to the date of application. The LPCB will select a number of contracts to sample which will include a review of the design and an inspection of the installed system, including a review of the testing and commissioning records. The assessment will include a review of the Firm’s management system for compliance with clause 2.2 below and their capability to manage contracts to ensure that the quality and technical compliance with the system standard are ensured.

Management System Requirements

The Firm shall have a documented and operating management system to ensure that the processes of design, installation, commissioning and servicing are adequately controlled. The management system shall comply with LPCB publication PN 160.

Single Point Responsibility

The Firm shall be responsible for the entire works of the sprinkler system, i.e. design, supply, installation and commissioning, even if the installation and supply of piping and hanging materials is by others.

Design Supervisor

The Firm shall designate one or more of their design engineers to be a Design Supervisor who shall have technical responsibility for the work carried out by the Firm.

A Firm shall have a sufficient number of Design Supervisors to ensure that all designs are verified by a Design Supervisor to ensure full compliance with the system standard.

A Design Supervisor shall be able to demonstrate that they have adequate knowledge and experience in the design of residential and domestic sprinkler systems to the system standard.

Design Supervisors shall be permanent employees of the Firm.

[Note – a Design Supervisor can also be an Installation Supervisor]

Installation Supervisor

The Firm shall designate one or more of their engineers to be an Installation Supervisor who shall be responsible for inspecting and testing installed systems for compliance with the system standard and to ensure that the quality of workmanship is acceptable and that the correct materials have been used.

A Firm shall have a sufficient number of Installation Supervisors to ensure that all sites are inspected and tested by an Installation Supervisor to ensure full compliance with the system standard.

An Installation Supervisor shall demonstrate that they have adequate knowledge and experience in the design and installation of residential and domestic sprinkler systems to the system standard.

Installation of Sprinkler Systems

Irrespective of whether the installation is carried out by staff of the Firm or is sub-contracted or is carried out by the Client of the Firm, the Firm shall ensure that the installation personnel are adequately trained and experienced to install the sprinkler system using the correct materials and in compliance with the design drawings and system standard.

During the installation process, should a problem arise whereby the system cannot be installed in accordance with the design drawings, the Design Supervisor shall be contacted to decide what appropriate action should be taken to ensure that the installed system complies with the system standard. The use of additional fittings will have an adverse effect on the hydraulic characteristics of the system and it is therefore important that record drawings reflect the as built condition of the system so that accurate hydraulic calculations are carried out to ensure that the sprinkler heads have adequate pressure and flow available to distribute the correct amount of water.

Design Verifications

Designs shall be verified by a Design Supervisor. Records of all design verifications shall be maintained. The records shall include the identification of all deviations to the contract specification and their re-inspection and sign off.

Site Inspections

Site inspections shall be carried out to check that the system has been installed in accordance with the verified design by an Installation Supervisor. Records of all site inspections (either interim or final) shall be maintained. The records shall include details of any outstanding snagging items identified during inspections and their re-inspection and sign off.

Testing and Commissioning

All systems shall be tested and commissioned in accordance with the system standard by an Installation Supervisor. Records shall be produced as required by the system standard and retained.

Control of Deviations to the System Standard

Deviations to the system standard shall be controlled in accordance with LPCB Guidance Note GN01.

LPCB Certificates of Conformity

For each sprinkler system installed, except as specified in LPCB Guidance Note GN01, the Firm shall provide to their customer an LPCB Certificate of Conformity to confirm that the system is in full compliance with the system standard unless otherwise noted in the list of minor deviations, regardless of whether the customer has asked for a certificate to be issued. Before the Firm issues a certificate to their client, a draft copy of the certificate together with copies of the design, testing and commissioning records and the schedule of deviations (if applicable) shall be provided to the LPCB for record purposes.

Competency

The Firm shall maintain competency and training records to demonstrate that all technical staff are competent to carry out their nominated tasks. Any training courses attended must include an evaluation of the individual’s knowledge of the relevant part(s) of the system standard.

Sub-contracting

The Firm shall be fully responsible for the work carried out by their sub-contractors. Where sub-contractors are used:

• The quality of their designs, materials, equipment or workmanship is to be to the same standard as that of the LPS 1301 approved Firm.
• Service and maintenance activities including emergency call-outs shall be carried out by directly employed personnel, or be sub-contracted to other LPS 1301 approved Firms. Where specialist equipment is involved e.g. fire pumps, suction tanks, trace heating, alarm/indicating systems, the service and maintenance may be carried out by the manufacturer, their authorised agents or specialist companies.
• All work undertaken by such sub-contractors is to be reviewed and verified by qualified staff directly employed by the Firm to ensure that the requirements of the scheme are met. Records are to be maintained for all work sub-contracted.

System Standards

The following system standards are acceptable for certification under this scheme: BS 9251 – Sprinkler systems for residential and domestic occupancies – code of practice

For the purpose of certification, although the system standard is only a code of practice and not a standard, its requirements and recommendations are to be considered as mandatory.

Specialist Sprinkler Equipment

Shall be approved by an independent third party test laboratory or certification body acceptable to LPCB and shall be used, without conflicting with system standard, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Sprinkler heads shall be approved to UL 1626 or DD 252 until DD 252 is withdrawn and replaced by BS 9252 and sprinkler heads approved to BS 9252 become available, at which time only sprinkler heads approved to BS 9252 will be acceptable.

Technical Data

The Firm shall:

• maintain current technical data, including specifications, fitting, commissioning and service/maintenance instructions from all manufacturers of specialist fire protection equipment installed or serviced.
• make this information readily available to all necessary personnel, especially field operations staff.
• maintain computer software packages for hydraulic calculations to the version compliant with the system standard in use.
• carry out and record standardisation checks for hydraulic calculation packages on each workstation, where terminals are independent of a central server.

Records

Records shall be retrievable and retained for at least 7 years.

Sprinkler System Inspection and Maintenance

The Firm shall provide an inspection and maintenance service to customers in accordance with the system standard. The results of such inspections shall be recorded and a copy provided to the building owner and/or occupier or agent.

The results of periodic flow tests shall be compared with the original system requirements and for compliance with the system standard.

In the event that test results are found to be inadequate, for example water pressure is below minimum system requirements, or there is a major non-compliance with the sprinkler protection, the Firm shall notify the building owner and/or occupier or agent within 7 days.

Emergency Service

The Firm will provide an effective 24-hour emergency service for customers to ensure that appropriate remedial action can be undertaken on site within 24 hours.

Service and maintenance engineers are to have access to a sufficient range of approved spare parts to resolve emergency call-out situations.

Annual Returns

The Firm is to provide to LPCB details of the numbers of sprinkler heads and alarm valves it has installed between 1 January to 31 December each year. Annual returns to be made by 31 July of each following year.