FIRE AND SECURITY PRODUCTS CERTIFICATION [LPCB/RED BOOK]
Well known throughout thew construction industry, The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) sets and certifies companies to the standards needed to ensure that fire and security products and services perform effectively.
Why should I consider being certified by the LPCB?
Part of BRE, the LPCB’s Loss Prevention Standards (LPS) are widely recognised and applied in fire and security sectors around the world. LPCB offers third-party certification confirming that products and services have met and will continue to meet these standards..
All fire and security products, services and companies certificated by LPCB to LPS and other industry standards are listed in the ‘RedBook’, known as the go-to source for such products and services. In some instances it is a legal requirement. For example, fire sprinkler systems must be signed off by certified companies.
To speak to an expert to discuss your requirements call us on 0113 801 9001 or email us at info@episodeltd.com
How do I get LPCB certification?
- Decide what category (or categories) of products and services you need to be certified to. The list can be found here.
- Obtain a copy of the relevant Loss Prevention Standard [“LPS”]. Watermatic, one of our clients, is certified to LPS 1048: Issue 5.0, Requirements for the approval of sprinkler system contractors in the UK and Ireland. You will also need
a. a copy of ISO 9001:2105, as certification to it is a mandatory part of LPCB certification
b. the latest version of PN111, BRE’s Factory Production Control, and Guidance Note GN11, other requirements of the loss prevention standards - Establish and run a management system that addresses all the needs of the relevant LPS, ISO 9001, GN11 and PN111
- Meet the trading period, number of projects and staff qualifications the relevant LPS requires (for example, LPS 1048 requires a minimum number of completed supervised pre-calculated sprinkler contracts, and that a suitably qualified system designed is used)
- Be audited and certified by LPCB
- keep using the system and undergo annual audits by LPCB to keep the certificate
Case Study - Fenland Fire Contracts
Fenland Fire Contracts is one of the UK's main providers of fire-rated ducting systems. Established in 1999, they have invested heavily in having their ductwork systems rigorously tested by an independent body to certify they comply with the relevant Standards.
Their quality management system, originally built over 20 years ago, had become a problem for the company. Whilst it was certified as complying with ISO 9001:2008 and BRE/Loss Prevention Certification Board Standard (PN111, Factory Production Control), it did not accurately reflect how things were done. It also forced them to do things that added no value to the business beyond retaining the certificate.
Episode completely re-engineered the system to make it a useful operational management tool, and ensured ongoing certification.
We continue to support the team in Luton in helping keeping the system working for them.
“We knew we needed a simple, effective management system that allowed us to run the business efficiently, and continue to be certified to ISO 9001 as a mandatory part of being able to offer fire rated ducts for stability, integrity, and insulation if specified, certified to the standards required by British Standard 476 Part 24 by the independent NAMAS-accredited Building Research Establishment, BRE.
Episode made a real difference, focusing on how we worked, then shaping our quality management system around that. We will be working with them to achieve CE Marking once new European Standards are published.”
Paul Hunneybell, Operations Manager, FFC.
Your LPCB certification journey – how Episode helps
Getting Started
- Assist in deciding which LPCB loss prevention standard applies
- Provide a comprehensive briefing of what the standard, ISO 9001 and NG11/PN111 asks you to do in simple to understand terms
- Begin to understand in detail how you operate
- Set a timetable and stick to it
- Decide what you want covered by the certificate – which sites, products and services.
- Put the right resources in place
- Collect all existing documentation
- Establish a dedicated client portal on our collaboration and document sharing platform
Implementing
- Establish a detailed project plan in our online project management platform (and stick to it)
- Decide with you what you need operationally
- Map out your business processes
- Fill any gaps between what is in place & what the standards require
- Identify your legal responsibilities and ensure compliance
- Complete a gap analysis between what the standard requires and what you have/do already
- Implement the system
- Brief staff
- Submit the system to Episode Head Office for final QC checks
- We return it to you for your final approval
- Separate consultant internally audits the system
- Carry out a management review
Certification
- Work with you formally engage LPCB [a challenge in itself]
- Be onsite throughout the certification process
- Address any issues that arise during the audit
- Brief you on post-certification activity:
a. 3 year cycle of annual surveillance audits and
b. what you need to do throughout the year to maintain the system - Agree where the finished, certified system should be housed
Episode guarantees certification
FAQ’s
What are quality management, ISO 9001 and loss prevention standards?
ISO 9001:2015, quality management systems requirements, is the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Organisations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. It is the most popular standard in the world and can be used as a business management and improvement tool.
The standard will help you become a more consistent competitor in the marketplace. It will provide better quality management that helps you to meet present and identify future customer needs.
It increases efficiency that will save you time, money and resources. It improves operational performance that will cut errors and improves profits. It will motivate, engage and involve staff with more efficient internal processes. It will help you win more high value customers, and achieve improved customer retention with better customer service. It will broaden business opportunities by demonstrating compliance.
When done correctly, gaining and maintaining ISO certification is not as complicated as most think. Trust Episode to make ISO work for you, not the other way around.
The loss prevention standards apply global best practice in the relevant subject area, and detail specific expectations, requirements and capabilities.
Episode has taken many clients through the process and know our way around the various standards and codes of practice, so that you don’t have to.
To speak to an expert to discuss your requirements call us on 0113 801 9001 or email us at info@episodeltd.com
When done correctly, gaining and maintaining ISO certification is not as complicated as most think. Trust Episode to make ISO work for you, not the other way around.
Contact us today on 0113 8019001 or click here to email us
It was only by utilising the expert guidance and experience of Episode that Thurston Group was able to attain certification within an exceptionally challenging time frame. We therefore offer our thanks to Episode Ltd. For the diligent and professional services provided. We also look forward to working with them again soon and would not hesitate to recommend their services."
Peter Spieight, Senior Divisional Director, Thurston Group, Wakefield
Roger's support was invaluable in terms of gap analysis, recommendations for improvement, and facilitation of the certification process. I would strongly recommend Roger to any organisation wishing to develop or improve its management systems, in a way which minimizes bureaucracy, and focuses on best serving the needs of the organization.
Gary Evans, Flour Corporation, Abu Dhabi
Roger and Sandy at Episode were great in helping us achieve not only one but two ISO standards 9001:2015 and 14001:2015. Episode were extremely helpful from the onset, they were able to break down the ISO standard so they were easily comprehensible and well applied to our business in a sustainable manner. They are a company that offers a guaranteed certification at the end of the process and they delivered it. I believe that the work completed during this process was key to us having won the Leeds Bid contract.
Harvey Mills, Managing Director, Forge Recycling, Leeds.
If Sandy hasn’t already updated you we are delighted to say we passed the transition audit for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Sandy did an absolutely fab job and all credit to her, we have loved having both of you here it’s been a pleasure.
I have had a brief chat with Morgan[the CEO] about the next steps and how we manage things going forwards. Morgan will be in touch with you soon about this and getting Episode/Sandy back in on a regular basis. Once again many thanks for everything and especially to Sandy!!
Morag Tearne, HR and Health & Safety Manager, H. Slingsby plc, Shipley
Episode is always prepared to go the extra mile. When in a tight spot the lead consultant carried out an audit for us at very short notice (on a Sunday afternoon) to keep us on track. What is important to us is the advice they give us is practical and tailored to us. The quality of output Episode produces is very high.
This has resulted in us having a multi-year managed service from Episode so as a company we know our ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 integrated system is up to date and working for us.
Gareth Walters, Financial Controller, Sports Turf Research Institute, Bingley.
When asked by Episode what three things they do well, and what three things they could improve upon, my answers were:
Done well
1. Client Communication, responded to queries very quickly
2. Requirements of the standard were communicated in a simple manner.
3. Assistance from initial implementation to date of assessment was very good.
I can honestly there is nothing I feel they should improve upon.
Paul Hunneybell, Operations Manager, Fenland Fire Contracts Limited, Luton
The consultant worked with the team in Scott Bader Middle East Ltd. to completely re-engineer our Integrated Management System incorporating ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. Until then we were slaves to the ISO audits, with the systems not adding much value beyond certification. Now we have a business management system that really works for us and is truly integrated into our operations. We were also successfully re-certified along the way.
John Kemp, CEO Scott Bader Middle East, Africa and Asia
The consultant really focused on making our systems and processes work better for us, not just help us comply with ISO 9001. He was able to work with Department Heads and Senior Management to shape their strategic thinking about quality and business objectives without telling them what they had to do because the standard says so.
Karim D'Alessandro, HSE Director, Shelf Drilling Inc.