Europe lacks facilities for testing smoke detection products. DBI is now changing that with a new laboratory and associated accredited testing area.
It is difficult for manufacturers of smoke detectors to get new products onto the market. If something needs to be tested, they have so far had to travel to, for example, Germany, France, the Netherlands or China. First of all, however, they have had to arm themselves with patience due to lack of capacity and waiting time for testing – and after the test, they have had to find a certification body that could certify the tested products so that they could obtain the necessary CE marking.
It all becomes much easier now that DBI has established the Nordic region’s first fire laboratory for accredited testing of detection products according to the EN54 series. In doing so, DBI also contributes to the GTS objective of strengthening companies’ competitiveness through knowledge, technology and testing facilities.
– We can test a number of products such as optical smoke detectors, thermal detectors, fire panels, supply units for fire panels and fire pressure. This means testing entire systems, which is what companies are demanding, says Mathias Revall Delcomyn, who is the daily manager of the new test laboratory.
Fast and safe to market
DBI’s subsidiary, DBI Certification A/S, has been certifying products according to the EN54 series for many years, but customers have lacked one place where they could both have their products tested and certified.
– Although we are two independent companies, it makes a significant difference for the manufacturers that we work under the same roof. The process becomes faster and more efficient, and it shortens the time-to-market for both Danish and international detection products. With the establishment of the new laboratory, we can also reduce the waiting time for tests and help customers achieve their goals faster, says Mathias Revall Delcomyn.
Accreditation on the stairs
DBI can already run tests for research and development purposes in the new Detector Lab. And by November, the laboratory is expected to achieve ISO 17025 accreditation for a number of EN54 standards (see fact box).
– Our first accreditation applies to products for construction, and once it is in place, we will start the next phase, which includes accreditation to relevant marine standards. We expect to have that accreditation in place in 2026, says Mathias Revall Delcomyn and continues:
– But it is already possible to book both R&D tests and accredited tests in our new facilities. And the first orders are starting to come in now. We are very much looking forward to helping both Danish and foreign companies with holistic solutions that make it easy and safe to test and certify detection products, he says.
Fact box:
DBI offers testing and certification within, among other things:
| EN54-2 | Control and indicating equipment |
| EN54-4 | Power supply equipment |
| EN54-5 | Heat sensors – spot heat sensors |
| EN54-7 | Smoke detectors – point detectors with scattered light, transmitted light or ionization |
| EN54-11 | Manual call points (push buttons) |
| EN54-17 | Short-circuit insulators |
| EN54-18 | Input/output devices |
Fact box:
Come and visit DBI’s new fire laboratory (EN54)
DBI would like to invite manufacturers and developers to come and see our new fire lab and meet our team of fire experts. This will take place on October 23 and October 30, 2025.
Viewers who would like to participate, please write to: cse@dbigroup.dk or info@dbicertification.dk .
