La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § V-3051

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section V-3051 - National Recognized Testing Laboratory

A. The criteria for recognition by the Office of State Fire Marshal as a "Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory" shall be as follows. The applicant laboratory's portable fire extinguisher testing standards shall meet or exceed the best listed national standards:

1. Fire Test Standards-ANSI/UL 154, CAN4-S503-M83

2. Performance Standards

a. CO₂ Types-ANSI/UL 154, CAN4-S503-M83

b. Dry Chemical Types-ANSI/UL 299, ULC-S504

c. Halon Types-ANSI/UL 1093, ULC-S504

d. 2-1/2 Gallon Stored Pressure Water Types-ANSI/UL 626

e. Factory Follow-Up on Third Party Certified Portable Fire Extinguishers-ANSI/UL 1803

f. Foam Types-ANSI/UL 8

B. The applicant laboratory shall maintain a follow-up inspection program to confirm that the manufacturer is providing the controls, inspections, and tests necessary to assure that all current manufactured extinguishers will meet the laboratory's testing standards. This follow-up inspection shall occur no less than once each six months for the first two years and once each year thereafter.

1. The application by a testing laboratory for recognition by the State Fire Marshal as a "nationally recognized testing laboratory" shall not be on any particular form but shall include all of the information and material requested in Subparagraphs below:

a. the address and telephone number of the main facility and all branch offices;

b. a current organizational chart showing the relationship between administration, operation, and quality control;

c. resumes of the education and experience of key personnel;

d. a floor plan of the main facility and all branch offices indicating location of the equipment used for testing portable fire extinguishers;

e. a list of all equipment used to test portable fire extinguishers, identified by manufacturer, model number and serial number; detailed plans and specifications shall be submitted on any testing equipment fabricated by the applicant;

f. procedures for selecting, receiving, storage, handling, and shipping of test specimens;

g. test standards and procedures most frequently used;

h. method and frequency of test equipment calibration;

i. procedure for safekeeping of records and files;

j. copies of all data sheets and test report forms;

k. facsimiles of all contracts executed between the testing laboratory and portable extinguisher clients;

l. procedure for periodic updating of the report;

m. method of distributing test reports and certifications, including an indication of who may obtain copies of the final reports and how the reports may be obtained;

n. a copy of the laboratory's partnership agreement, if a partnership, or of the articles of incorporation, if a corporation, and a copy of any by-laws;

o. a list of all the portable fire extinguishers presently listed by the testing laboratory showing the manufacturer and the model number;

p. copies of the test reports on all listed portable extinguishers which must be in sufficient detail to provide for complete verification and evaluation of the operations and objectives, and must include the signature of personnel performing the test and must also include the name of the supervisory engineer;

q. whether the applicant testing laboratory has been recognized as a "nationally recognized testing laboratory" by any other state or by an organized, voluntary recognized organization such as the National Voluntary Laboratory Association Program and whether recognition by any other state or organization has been denied;

r. how long the applicant testing laboratory has tested portable extinguishers;

s. a notarized statement of independence which shall state that, with reference to the laboratory's testing of portable fire extinguishers:

i. there are no managerial affiliations with any producer, supplier, or vendor;

ii. changes in any major test equipment;

iii. establishment of a new branch office or facility at which portable fire extinguishers are to be tested;

iv. changes in principal officers, key supervisory personnel, or key testing personnel in the company.

C. This office approves Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Factory Mutual Research Corporation and the United States Testing Company, Inc., as nationally recognized testing laboratories for the purpose of these rules.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § V-3051

Promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Fire Marshal, LR 17:273 (March 1991), amended LR 26:1339 (June 2000), LR 33:1679 (August 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:1664.2.