CEN TC 127, the CEN committee responsible for Fire Safety in Buildings, established the task group in response to a draft mandate from the European Commission on Fire Protective Products.
The group is tasked with developing a framework within which CEN can mount a comprehensive response to the Commission and provide a draft list of product standards for CEN to prepare.
The draft mandate calls for harmonised European product standards for the following product groups, which are currently covered by ETAGs (European Technical Approval Guidelines) in support of ETAs (European Technical Approvals):
“Under the current system it is not mandatory to have CE marking for such products,” says Rowan. “If the products are covered by a harmonised European Product Standard, then CE marking will become mandato
ry, which is a long term goal of the EAPFP. This is why the creation of the Task Group is so important.”
As Technical Officer for the UK’s Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), Rowan is secretary for the main ASFP Technical Committee and six technical task groups.
He has chaired technical meetings for the UK Fire Test Study Group and was recently appointed chair of FSH 22, the UK national committee for fire resistance testing that is responsible for maintaining the BS 476: Parts 20-24 series of fire resistance test methods. The committee also formulates UK input into CEN TC 127.
Formed in 1988 to represent national associations involved in fire protection across Europe, the EAPFP is strongly in favour of making CE marking for all PFP products mandatory, arguing that it ensures consistent quality and prevents avoid market distortion.
The Association campaigns to raise the standard of fire safety in buildings and offers a range of publications and guidance notes in several languages. The EAPFP also has representation on the European Union Technical Committees involved in developing product standards across Europe.
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