Flood barrier product certification reflects the suitability, performance, reliability, durability, and consistency of the product in the toughest conditions. Our certification instills confidence and commands respect in the flood fighting product marketplace.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL FLOOD BARRIER TESTING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL FLOOD BARRIER TESTING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?
MISSION
The MISSION of this program is to provide a process for objectively testing and certifying flood barrier products with a focus on:
- Encouraging the development and improvement of flood fighting products
- Consistency through the use of technological standards
VISION
The VISION of this program is to be the catalyst for developing better flood flighting products in order to protect communities around the world using the highest conformance-based standards.
GOALS
The GOALS of this program include unbiased testing, product reliability, and the development of better flood fighting products. There are a number of ways to accomplish these goals. There are a number of ways to fight floods. One way is through an innovative approach based on higher standards and partnerships that we can employ to achieve our goals. Consistency of product testing through rigorous standards is key to successful flood risk management.
VALUES
These values reflect the people who contribute to this program’s success.
01.
Quality
Our focus is to promote tested and certified flood fighting products that can withstand the toughest conditions.
02.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of integrity in all of our actions through this program.
03.
Teamwork
Partnerships are paramount to program success. We work together, across boundaries, to meet the needs of our applicants and existing certified manufacturers.
04.
Advent of Change
We exhibit a strong will to enact change within the flood barrier product marketplace by endorsing the testing standards and the products which have become certified.
05.
Accountability
We are personally accountable for delivering on our commitments.
BENEFITS
Flood fighting product manufacturers should consider these benefits when thinking about whether or not to get a product certified through our program:
TO GAIN MARKETING ADVANTAGES
A certified product may display the FM Approved mark (Blue Diamond) authorized by FM Approvals as a certification mark for products that meet the minimum requirements of our program. This also indicates that the product has undergone evaluation and testing to verify that the product should perform as indicated.
TO MEET REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Some communities have specific regulations permitting only certified products to be sold in their jurisdiction.
PROVEN PERFORMANCE
When you buy a product, you expect it to work. You expect that it will function and perform as the manufacturer intended. This program focuses on reliability and integrity through certification.
TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY
Our program, based upon ANSI FM 2510 standards and through FM Approvals’ ongoing manufacturer audits, verify that manufacturing processes remain effective and consistent.
UNBIASED & OBJECTIVE APPROACH
Our focus is to increase product reliability through unbiased testing and to promote the development of better flood fighting products.
Additional benefits to participating in the program is that certified products are featured on this website and listed in the “Approval Guide.” The Approval Guide houses real-time information about tens of thousands of products and services tested and FM Approved.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To participate in the National Flood Barrier Testing and Certification Program, an application must be submitted along with a non-refundable application fee and submitted to ASFPM. After review, ASFPM will coordinate a call with the manufacturer, and applicable program parties to discuss testing criteria, the certification process, and next steps.
Next, cost estimates are prepared and reviewed with the manufacturer. Two cost estimates are provided, (1) water testing (US Army Corps of Engineers – Engineer Research Development Center), and (2) product material testing (FM Approvals). All testing is conducted at the cost of the manufacturer. Depending upon the product, logistics involved, and scalability of testing, cost estimates are provided on a case-by-case basis.
Should the manufacturer wish to proceed, ASFPM will initiate an agreement with the manufacturer and schedule water testing with the US Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center. Concurrently, FM Approvals will initiate a separate agreement with the manufacturer in accordance with their product material testing and certification process.
WATER TESTING CRITERIA
Water testing refers to a suite of tests that will thoroughly examine a product’s ability to withstand flood-related conditions that include hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, overtopping, velocity, and debris.
Flood barriers for opening barrier and perimeter barrier applications will be water tested and certified per the maximum hydrostatic depth determined by the manufacturer and/or product specifications.
Water testing of flood barriers for opening barrier and perimeter barrier applications will be conducted by the US Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Opening barriers, flood mitigation pumps, flood mitigation valves, and penetration sealing devices will be conducted either at ERDC or the manufacturer’s facility. Conducting water testing at an independent facility/lab will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Water testing is conducted in strict accordance with approval standard ANSI FM 2510 and must be witnessed and validated by representatives from FM Approvals
PRODUCT MATERIAL TESTING
Product material testing refers to a suite of tests that will thoroughly examine a product’s ability to withstand forces of nature that impinge upon the product when deployed. Testing factors include resistance to internal leakage (if product is designed to be filled with water), component durability/cycling, resistance to impact, wear, abrasion, vibration, salt corrosion, environmental corrosion, and hail impact. Additional testing is conducted for tensile strength, tear and puncture probability, and biological degradation. The product’s component makeup will determine the applicability of material testing specific to the product.
Product material testing is conducted in strict accordance with approval standard ANSI FM 2510. Testing will be conducted by FM Approvals at their world-class, 1,600-acre, state-of-the-art global research campus in West Glocester, Rhode Island.
MANUFACTURER AUDIT
An initial manufacturer audit will be coordinated and conducted by FM Approvals. This product, quality, and facilities audit is a critical requirement of all Approval programs and provides independent verification that the manufacturer has established robust and effectively-managed processes to ensure compliance in product production.
REPORT & CERTIFICATION
Technical reports will be generated for both water and product material testing, reviewed for accuracy, and shared with the manufacturer. Upon meeting all requirements of the program, a final report will be sent to the manufacturer certifying the product as FM Approved. Certification is effective as of the date of the report and the manufacturer may then label and market their product in accordance with guidelines set forth by FM Approvals
ONGOING MONITORING/AUDITING
To maintain certification, future manufacturer process audits will be coordinated by FM Approvals to help ensure that FM Approved products continue to meet all the requirements of the test standard or specification.