Accreditation under IAS's new Field Evaluation Bodies program means that SGS meets stringent guidelines for inspecting electrical equipment that has not been previously evaluated or listed or that has been red-tagged by AHJs.
The IAS program is designed to accredit competent third-party testing laboratories that can be used by organizations that must recommend, approve or hire field evaluation service providers for red-tag situations or to ensure compliance with AHJ's requirements.
The purpose of IAS's accreditation criteria is to specify requirements for IAS-accredited FEBs performing evaluations of unlisted electrical equipment installed in the field. FEBs complying with this criteria will have demonstrated that they have the personnel, organization, experience, knowledge and competence to inspect and test unlisted electrical equipment installed in the field in accordance with specified requirements.
SGS has provided Field Evaluation Services for many years and has been an OSHA-accredited Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) since 1998. SGS also maintains accreditation with IAS of several of its testing laboratories and inspection agencies nationwide. The company provides fast quoting and engineering services on most field evaluation projects, leveraging a network of engineers located strategically throughout North America. SGS' rapid turnaround minimizes business interruptions caused by usage prohibitions on red-tagged equipment.
"Electrical inspectors, building inspectors, fire marshals and other AHJs need a way to ascertain which third-party testing laboratories have the knowledge and expertise to evaluate red-tagged equipment," said Patrick V. McCullen, IAS Vice President, and "Our accreditation program is the first to meet that need." Accreditation under the IAS FEB Program serves everyone involved -- from the AHJ to the affected business owner who may be held liable for equipment-related accidents -- and SGS is the first in the industry to earn accreditation
In the workplace, electrical equipment may be red-tagged if it is not properly listed or labeled. Typically, these situations are encountered with one-of-a-kind, limited-production, used or modified devices that have not been submitted by the manufacturer for safety review. The field evaluation company must determine whether a red-tagged item complies with applicable safety codes, document its findings and, if requested, provide a comprehensive report to the AHJ for approval.
Upon passing compliance, SGS may issue the company's proprietary SGS USTC Field Label indicating that the equipment has been field-evaluated to NEC or applicable nationally recognized standards such as those of UL, NFPA, ANSI or NEMA.
"All Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories are accredited by OSHA to test and certify electrical equipment, but until now, there has been no accrediting body for field evaluation providers," said Douglas Letlow of SGS's Electrical & Electronics Division. "We immediately pursued the new IAS accreditation because it takes the guesswork out of choosing a field evaluation company for both AHJs and business owners. This new program is a positive step for the industry, and our accreditation is a strong validation of SGS's capabilities in this area."
More information about SGS Field Evaluation Services is available at http://www.us.sgs.com/fieldlabel