UL, a leading global safety science company, has completed its first Remote Witnessed Test Data Programme activity under UL Data Acceptance Program (DAP) in the region.

UL has awarded pump manufacturing company Saudi Mechanical Industries Co (SMI) certification following remote witness testing of SMI’s fire pump series, making SMI the first company in the Middle East within the fire and safety sector to remotely receive UL 448, the Standard for Centrifugal Stationary Pumps for Fire-Protection Service.

UL has worked alongside SMI since 2016, providing certification services utilising SMI’s testing facility, enabling SMI to achieve approval and certification of its range of fire pumps.

SMI receiving certification

Due to restrictions affecting travel into Saudi Arabia, UL’s team was unable to physically attend SMI’s facility to conduct testing. In response to limited travel, physical distancing measures and SMI’s urgent requirements, UL utilised DAP’s provision for remote witnessed testing after assessing the laboratory’s capabilities.

Rami Qaradeh, UL’s project engineer, explained the importance of offering a flexible, remote solution: “The most significant obstacles for our project were time and Covid-19 safety measures, which prevented us from travelling and physically witnessing tests. Therefore, our aim was to deliver a service that assists our customers to meet their business continuity needs despite the lockdown. To complete the remote witnessing of tests, we needed to provide a solution that would effectively allow us to have eyes in the testing facility, making this testing as comprehensive as previous ones.

“To achieve this, we assessed SMI’s testing facility prior to witnessing tests, which included the review of SMI’s laboratory environment, equipment, calibration and safety requirements. For remote witnessing of the tests, we used fixed and roaming live cameras, giving us access to the entire facility. Over the course of two days, we connected with the SMI team via an online meeting platform, which allowed us to remotely witness test and collect the data required to complete the project.”

Khalid Ziad Saif, application manager of SMI’s engineering department, said: “The requirement to certify these pumps arose during a critical period in the project. Due to movement restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, the usual avenues of testing and certification were unavailable to us. However, the availability of UL’s remote witnessed testing technology enabled us to complete testing and achieve certification of the fire pumps in record time, so we could meet challenging project deadlines, expand our SMI fire pump series and ensure the satisfaction of our customer.

“UL’s remote witnessed testing provided great flexibility, enabling us to work side by side with UL to complete the witnessed tests, while ensuring we maintained the high levels of quality and consistency we are accustomed to during on-site tests. UL provided a robust plan, which helped to ensure testing was conducted in a safe manner and in accordance with the applicable requirements. UL and SMI conducted the remote witnessed operation tests virtually via an online meeting platform and we obtained certification without any delays.”

While completing the remote witnessed testing resulted in time saved by removing the requirement for travel, UL spent additional time on reviewing test protocols, assessing SMI’s laboratory and creating a framework for online testing.

Qaradeh concluded: “This project was ultimately a success because we paid close attention to every detail. Our engineers reviewed every aspect of the test, helping to ensure safety, not only of the products but also of our people, who were able to do their jobs remotely.”

UL offers a range of remote witnessed testing solutions to its customers to support innovative market solutions with reliable science-based repeatable testing and certification offerings.

Meanwhile, UL has opened a new fibre optics testing and research laboratory in Abu Dhabi to support regional growth within the wire and cable sector and further expand its MENA presence.

The global safety science company has launched its first fibre optics testing and research laboratory in the Middle East with the opening of a 600 sq-m facility in Abu Dhabi. UL’s wire and cable capabilities include the evaluation of more than 70 different wire and cable product categories to both national and international standards for safety, performance, quality, environmental impact and regulatory compliance. Established as a global centre of excellence, the laboratory will service customers from around the globe, with a focus on Middle Eastern, European and African markets.

LunFai Lai, vice president and general manager of UL’s Wire and Cable division, said: “The technological requirements of fibre optics bring challenges as well as unlimited possibilities for telecommunications service providers and optical fibre manufacturers. The launch of our state-of-the-art fibre optics testing and research laboratory in the UAE is a milestone achievement for everyone at UL’s offices in the Middle East. Establishing the laboratory demonstrates our ongoing commitment to operations in the region.”