SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Testing Services

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Two programs to assist manufacturers in obtaining product certifications, evaluation reports, or type approvals are available at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI):

• Third-party production control

• Third-party quality assurance

Products, materials, and assemblies in good standing in these programs are published in the Directory of Listed Products. This directory is available online for you to search by category, client name, product name, listing and labeling number, or test method to verify that a product has been approved and listed.

These programs cover materials and products found in the following industries and products:

• Construction industry

• Telecommunications industry

• Transportation industry

• Petrochemical/chemical industry

• Manufacturing industry

• Aboveground storage tanks for flammable liquids

• Fire extinguishing agents and systems

Directory of Listed Products

The listing and labeling program ensures the product that reaches the consumer is similar to the product that has been approved through testing activities that begin when the samples are being prepared for testing and continue for the life of the Program.

Listing and Labeling Procedures

To document the manufacturing and preparation of the test sample, SwRI's third-party inspector is present when the test samples are being prepared. The samples are marked by the inspector, and SwRI verifies these markings when the samples arrive at the lab.

Only manufacturing facilities found to have a production and quality system that guarantee the continued production quality of the product are accepted in the SwRI Listing and Labeling Program.

Listing and Labeling Documentation

After successful test results are obtained, a Quality Control (QC) Manual or Follow-Up Procedure (FUP) Document is prepared. This Manual or Document describes the product, the manufacturing process, and all critical aspects that, if changed, could affect the performance of the product. The information contained in the Manual or Document is verified through a visit to the manufacturing plant.

The official implementation of the program takes place after:

• Controlled copies of the QC Manual or FUP Document are issued to authorized holders

• Use of the SwRI label is authorized

• The product is added to the SwRI Directory of Listed Products

Follow-Up Inspections

Third-party inspectors in the vicinity of the manufacturing plant visit the plants at prescribed intervals to verify the products continue to be made as described in the QC Manual or FUP Document and that only authorized labels are used.

Some of the entities using these Programs to support their product certification/approval programs include:

• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• General Services Administration (GSA)

• International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES)

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)

• United States Coast Guard (USCG)

• State of Florida Department of Community Affairs

• Miami Metro–Dade County

For more information about fire technology services and capabilities for third-party listing and labeling and third-party production control programs and product certification at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please call (210) 522-2311 or e-mail fire-info@swri.org.
 

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

February 07, 2007