For many consumers, flooding and flood products are unknown territory, so deciding what is right for their property and lifestyle is a big decision. In an attempt to help drive up standards in the sector, particularly in relation to Property Flood Resilience, we have asked advertisers to show the standards their products meet and/or the accreditation or certifications schemes they comply with by clearly displaying their certification on their own website.
We accept that not all businesses are able to do this, which may be due to a number of factors such as the prohibitive cost of accreditation for smaller companies or that their products may not fit the criteria for testing under some of the standards. We have therefore created a separate category for any products that are not certified and these are listed under ‘Non Certified Products’.
We remain impartial and cannot offer any advice on which product may be most suitable for individual circumstances, but we would encourage people to look at all the products that are available across all the different categories.
Please note that standards and certification is rapidly evolving in property protection and from time to time the National Flood Forum will be upgrading the requirements in order that customers can be increasingly certain that the systems they purchase will deliver what they want.
standards and accreditation
When you are choosing flood resilience products for your home, it is important to understand how they are tested and what the different standards mean.
Here is a simple guide to help you make informed choices.
Understanding Flood Product Standards:
What You Need to Know
PAS1188 – The Old Standard
This was the previous set of testing guidelines use for products such as flood doors, barriers and air brick covers. The 2014 version improved the rules by allowing less water seepage during the flood testing.
However PAS 1188 is now outdated and has been replaced by a newer and more robust standard.
BS851188 – The Current Standard
This is the current British Standard for flood resilience products. It is more detailed than the old PAS 1188 and gives extra confidence that the product has been properly tested and made to a consistent quality.
It includes:
- Rigorous flood performance tests
- Checks to ensure products are manufactured consistently
- Ongoing quality control at the factory.
If a product has been tested to BS 851188 it is more likely to work reliably and last longer.
What About Non-Certified products?
Some flood resilience products do not carry official certification, often because the testing and approval process can be expensive.
This does not automatically mean they are ineffective. Many non-certified products can still offer good resilience if:
- The are well designed
- They are installed correctly
- You buy from a reputable supplier
Products Eligible for BSI Kitemark Certification
A range of flood resilience products can be BSI Kitemark certified, which means they have been independently tested to meet high standards for quality and performance. These products include:
- Flood doors (composite, timber or steel)
- Demountable flood barriers
- Airbrick covers
- Non-return valves
- Self-activating flood barriers
- Anti-flood airbricks
When you are choosing flood resilience solutions, it is a good idea to ask the supplier if the product has a BSI Kitemark. This helps ensure you are buying something that has been properly tested and proven to work.
However, not all products have a Kitemark, as getting certified can be expensive. These non-certified products are still listed in the Blue Pages. While they may not carry the certification, they can still be effective if they are installed and used correctly. So always make sure you get good advice and choose a reputable supplier.
ciwem Specialist Register for PFR Professionals
The Chartered Institution for Water & Environmental Management (CIWEM) provides comprehensive training on PFR. CIWEM has also developed a process for professionals to be assessed and if appropriate included on a Specialist Register for PFR that demonstrates their competency in PFR delivery.
The Specialise Register is primarily for those who undertake surveys and builders or contractors that install PFR measures and make flood recoverable repairs.
The competencies required for the Specialist Register are aligned with the Code of Practice for PFR and requires
- the completion of CIWEM accredited training,
- a referral,
- a CV,
- a case study report demonstrating competencies and
- a successful Professional Review Interview.
Professionals accepted onto the Specialist Register will be listed on CIWEM’s BeFloodReady Community of Practice website and will be provided with appropriate logos and branding supporting transparency and trust, ensuring that PFR measures are implemented by appropriately qualified individuals.
CIRIA CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PROPERTY FLOOD RESILIENCE
The CIRIA Code of Practice for PFR was collaboratively produced in 2020 and sets the benchmark for those delivering and managing PFR. It includes six standards specifying what should be achieved when delivering PFR.
Key principles are based on effective communication and a proportionate approach to PFR. It provides a process that be used to plan, design, construct and maintain PFR. Accompanied by supporting guidance it explains how the standards can be met.
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