Fire extinguishing systems

Fire extinguishing systems are systems that facilitate rescue operations and are designed to extinguish and/or contain fires detected by them. The activation of these systems sets off an acoustic or optical alarm if fire is detected in the property. In most systems alarm data is also connected to an emergency response centre.

In legislation these systems are divided into sprinkler systems, gas extinguishing systems and other identifiable extinguishing systems, such as water mist systems.

Equipment selection and design

A business, private individual or other contractor undertaking a construction project must ensure that the building being designed meets the essential structural requirements, including fire safety requirements.

The party undertaking a construction project must appoint a principal designer as well as qualified designers for each area as required by the scope of the project. A special designer must be appointed for the design of the extinguishing equipment. The special designer sets the requirements for the system to be created on the basis of the assignment data provided by the developer. The designer must take into consideration the intended use of the building in design and dimensioning, also taking the requirements set for construction by authorities supervising construction into consideration.

The requirements set for extinguishing system construction and any selection of equipment must be included by the designer in a report on the principles of the design of the extinguishing system, which must always be submitted to the construction supervision authorities. This report is part of the processing of building permits.

Where necessary, the authorities may set further requirements for the fire extinguishing system to be installed on the basis of the report.

Installation companies, responsible persons and certifications

Only installation companies that meet the set requirements are allowed to perform fire extinguishing system maintenance and installation. The installation companies are listed here. Legislation: Rescue Equipment Act 10/2007, also available in the edilex.fi service by Tukes 

See instructions and forms for preparing a notification.

Persons in charge must meet certain qualification requirements related to training, education and work experience. See detailed information on qualification requirements and instructions for qualification certificate application

Training related to fire extinguishing systems is organised by Kiwa Inspecta. Training has been categorised into sprinkler systems, gas extinguishing systems and other systems-specific training (e.g. water mist systems). There are no qualification requirements for training participants.

Tukes may grant, upon request, a category-specific qualification certificate to a person who has successfully passed the training and meets other qualification requirements.

Installation

Companies that install fire extinguishing systems must notify Tukes and appoint a qualified responsible person to carry out and supervise activities related to fire extinguishing systems before the company begins installation. The required form can be found here. Legislation: Rescue Equipment Act 10/2007, also available in the edilex.fi service by Tukes and the Decree on automatic fire extinguishing equipment A65

The installation company selected by the contractor is responsible for the installation of fire extinguishing systems. Another company, that works under the supervision and responsibility of the installation company, may also participate in the installation. The installation company’s appointed responsible person ensures that the requirements set for fire extinguishing systems are met as defined in the permit conditions and the report prepared based on design principles.

Before the commissioning inspection, the installation company is required to prepare an installation certificate on the work it has carried out.

Subcontractors are actors not entitled to carry out installation or maintenance of fire alarm or extinguishing systems on their own. Subcontractors must always work under the supervision and responsibility of a qualified installation company included in the Tukes register of companies and appointed to perform the work.

Conformity with requirements

Those who import rescue equipment or transfer it to others must ensure and reliably prove that the equipment meets the relevant requirements. Legislation: Rescue Equipment Act 10/2007, § 6, also available in the edilex.fi service by Tukes

Rescue equipment meets the relevant requirements if the manufacturer has duly declared its conformity and affixed a mark of conformity to the equipment, or the conformity of the equipment has been attested by an assessment body.

If the rescue equipment is included in the scope of application of statutes that require the affixation of the CE marking, the CE marking with the associated manufacturer's obligations proves that the equipment complies with the statutes.

Attestation of conformity based on a Directive

In practice, attestation of the conformity varies, depending on the Directive applied. Where there are several applicable Directives, all or part of them may apply depending on issues such as the product's mode of operation, power source or location.

As of 1 July 2013, the builder and/or contractor must prepare a declaration of performance for any construction products covered by a harmonised standard, instead of the former declaration of conformity. When needed or required, the builder and/or contractor must also get a certificate on constancy of performance issued by a notified product certification body, and a CE marking. Legislation: EU Regulation on construction products

Any construction products to which a CE marking has been attached prior to 1 July 2013, in accordance with the Construction Products Directive, are compliant with the Construction Products Regulation, but the declaration of conformity required by the Directive must be replaced by a declaration of performance.

Further information on the CE marking of construction products is available here.

Valid harmonised standards related to the scope of application of the Rescue Equipment Act (10/2007) are accessible on the websites of hEN Helpdesk and Finnish Standards Association SFS.

 

Special cases of attestation of conformity:

  • products to which directives or harmonised product standards do not apply
  • equipment whose conformity and attestation thereof are not covered by detailed, statute-based requirements

Nevertheless, the manufacturer or importer is obliged to provide a written attestation of conformity for such products and give it to Tukes upon request. The manufacturer or importer must also draw up a declaration of conformity containing at least the following details: 

  • product description
  • product identification marking
  • name and address of manufacturer and/or importer and/or marketer
  • testing of product properties, and test results
  • reference to standards applied
  • technical specifications applied
  • operational reliability verification method applied
  • verification of compatibility with ancillary equipment
  • restrictions to product use
  • details of the compilation of information on, and instructions for, installation, use and maintenance
  • signature and clarification of signature of the person in charge
  • signatory's position in the organisation
  • organisation's contact details.

Harmonised EN product standards

The latest updated lists of harmonised EN standards can be found on the hEN Helpdesk website, by using free or advanced search.

If you select CEN/TC72 from the TC section of the advanced search the results will show fire alarm standards. If you select CEN/TC191 from the same section the results will show standards for sprinklers, gas extinguishing systems, fire hose reels and smoke control systems. CEN/TC 295 shows the standards for fireplaces and wood-heated sauna stoves.