First FlammeVerte Laboratories Meeting

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The first official FlammeVerte (FV) Laboratories Meeting was on 23th of June 2016 in Paris at „Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables”. The presentation about FV label, the RoundRobin test between the FV laboratories and the accreditation of the laboratories by Eurovent Certita were big points of the agenda. Also the „Golden Rules Document“ for the FV laboratories were worked out and the future procedure as well as important issues were discussed.

Important information for manufacturers

  • Which advantages has been offered by FlammeVerte?

The FV label is in France the best known award for fireplaces and is politically provided by “Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables”. It has a big awareness at the customers and arranges high market acceptance. Also for manufacturers, who do not sell in France, the label is interesting because the limit values and especially the 7. star will apply with the future EcoDesign requirements (in 2022). For that you can label your products accordingly. For pure producers the label is also interesting because it´s easier to find OEM customers on the French market.

  • To request as a manufacturer the FV label for the first time, three steps are necessary:

1. Application to

FlammeVerte

Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables

13-15 Rue de la Baume

75008 Paris

FRANCE

with a presentation of the manufacturer and the products.

Contact persons for the application are Mr. Nicolas Audigane and Mr. Alexis Errard.

2. Inspection of the manufacturers documents (also test reports) by Eurovent Certita and assessment if the test reports where issued by FV laboratories and based on it the classification according to 5, 6 or 7 stars.

3. „Entry Test“ – The highest classificated fireplace of the manufacturer will be chosen and has to test again at a FV laboratory.

> if the test results correspond the manufacturer gets the FV label

Any other fireplaces of the manufacturer will be classified according to the test results of the type tested test reports in 5, 6 or 7 stars. If the manufacturer already type tested in a FV laboratory the “Entry Test” is dropped.

  • What is going to be tested?

The focus of FV is the adherence of the emission limit values. Because of that all pertinent testing for emission are performed, tests for fire safety are not important.

  • What happens after the manufacturer got the FV label?

One fireplace of each manufacturer has been tested with a “Performance Check” by FV between 2013 and 2016, so in between those three years every manufacturer had to perform a cross-validation. In 2017 every manufacturer should perform a cross-validation once a year. If there are any deviations on test results (both positive or negative) at one of this cross-validations the fireplace will be upgraded or downgraded.

  • Do OEM products have the ability to get the FV label?

If the basic fireplace has a test report of a FV laboratory they do not need new test for the OEM products.

If the basic fireplace has not a test report of a FV laboratory the OEM customer also hast to perform the “Entry Test”.

  • What are the latest valid limit values?

The officially limit values are on the homepage http://www.flammeverte.org/

  • Are there any tightening of limit values?

The limit values of the star classification remain in place. However the lower classifications are going to be invalid during the next years.

2014: 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-star fireplaces

2015 5-, 6-, 7- star fireplaces

2018: 6-, 7- star fireplaces

2020: 7- star fireplaces

  • What happens with old test reports?

Since 18th of May 2016 the RRF is officially FlammeVerte testing laboratory. If the manufacturer already is a FV customer all test reports with an earlier date have to validate and verified in order of the manufacturer by the RRF and a new test report accepted by FV has to issued. In the course of the entry-tests for new costumers this procedure is not valid. For that a new testing on the test bench is necessary.

 

At the end of the meeting the laboratories decided to continuing work out the „Golden Rules Document”, which gives the test specification for FV laboratories and commit in writing to adherence. Additionally at least once a year a Laboratories Meeting in Paris should take place.

Important information of the prospective EN 16510

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We would like to give you again the current information about the restructuring of series of standards of fireplaces by CENT/TC 295 to a new series of standards EN 16510 ” Residential solid fuel burning appliances”.

 

What is EN16510?

The EN 16510 part 1 together with part 2 will supersede EN 13240 for roomheater, EN 13229 for inset appliances, EN 12815 for cookers and EN 12809 for independent boilers. Besides there is also intended that the EN 16510 as well replace the EN 14785 for space heating appliances as well as the EN 15250 for slow heat release appliances.

The parts 1 as well as 2-1 until 2-4 and 2-6 of standard EN 16510 have to agree formally on European level right now.

The WG 7 is working on a preliminary version of part 2-5.

The WG 6 discussed the received comments of part 2-6. The preliminary version of FprEN 16510 Teil 2-6 has been bring to CMC for the formal agreement in May 2016. Furthermore the WG 6 are concerned with the new NWI (New Work Item) for pellet and beech log combo appliances.

The revision of these European Standards takes into account the comments received at their 5-year review. This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association and supports fundamental requirements of EU Directives.

The structure of EN 16510, Residential solid fuel burning appliances, is as follows:

— Part 1: General requirements and test methods

— Part 2-1: Roomheaters

— Part 2-2: Inset appliances including open fires

— Part 2-3: Cookers

— Part 2-4: Independent boilers — Nominal heat output up to 50 kW

— Part 2-5: Slow heat release appliances

— Part 2-6: Appliances fired by wood pellets

 

How is the current status of standardization?

At the moment the parts 1, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4 and 2-6 are present as preliminary FprEN (final draft).

With release of part 1 of the standard as harmonized standard in Official Journal of the European Union the measurement methods of EN 16510 can be used. This will take place expectedly in March 2017. This part of standard cannot use for appraisal procedure of confirmation. The release of parts 2-1 till 2-4 and 2-6 as harmonized standard in Official Journal of the European Union is displaced for an indefinite period of time because of protest of Norway and Finland. Already now we prepare us and our testing laboratories for the official release.

 

Which consequences does the change of standards have?

The new series of standards differs in their parts in essential points of the former standards, so in many cases additional tests right up to new type tests are required. Anyway a review of the existing test report is necessary if this one and the underlay test also fulfill the requirements of EN 16510. Is this the case we expectedly can write a new test report according to EN 16510. Because there are also new requirements set on the test report.

We are strived our tests continually adapt to the requirements of the preliminary EN 16510. So current tests fulfill the requirements and can be rewritten. Also type tests during this year before taking effect of the series of standards expectedly can rewritten (to this date valid stand of standards will be considered).

 

What is the timing?

Like already mentioned above with release of part 1 of the standard as harmonized standard in Official Journal of the European Union the measurement methods of EN 16510 can be used. This will take place expectedly in March 2017. This part of standard cannot use for appraisal procedure of confirmation. The release of parts 2-1 till 2-4 and 2-6 as harmonized standard in Official Journal of the European Union is displaced for an indefinite period of time because of protest of Norway and Finland. Already now we prepare us and our testing laboratories for the official release.

For the series of standard EN 16510 the competent committee CEN/TC 295 has to apply the interim period of three years at the European Commission. Until the end of coexistence period it is possible to place on the market according to the existing hENs (for example EN 13240). After expiration of the coexistence period the fireplaces need a valid type test according to hEN 16510.

 

Is your test report ready for EN 16510?