Seeking IBC/IEC/UL compliance consulting

[DavidMech]

Howdy All,

I am looking for a consulting firm to assist with IBC/IEC/UL/other compliance of a prospective building-integrated energy-generation product. We don't want to hire a testing firm, because they would be motivated to recommend more tests than we actually need. At this point, all we need to know is:

1. An authoritative multi-code-compliance evaluation of our proposed product (which code sections are potential "problem areas" for our proposed design)
2. Design guidance which allows our design's "problem areas" to achieve code-compliance


What type of consulting firm performs such services (code compliance evaluation only - no testing)?

Thank you.

 

[Ron]

It is not likely that you'll get code equivalence or code compliance without test data to back up the design premise. I don't know of any reputable engineers who would attest to code compliance without proper test data.

 

[DM2]

This is a bit Ironic...I'm fining myself doing this or another company, for selfish reasons. I'm want them to get a specific approval to a Global standard. Currently they have approval and were of the opinion they could apply their cert for installation in the US. They're area actually a US company.

While I'm an ME, my experience is limited to my field and I'm not trying to market myself to you for your issue. Having said that I find my self seeming to be more knowledgeable than the people I've worked with at the NRTL's. Granted you have to get past the first line with the NRTL, which is the sales person at the lab, and that's where it all goes to hell in a hand basket.

I'm not sure what your product is, but...
Step 1 - Understand what standard you need your product tested to. You may need to get a copy of the UL White Book
Step 2 - Find out what NRTL's are accredited by OSHA to perform testing to that standard (UL will likely not be the only one)
Step 3 - Get copied of the standard you want to test your product to, and read them, including the annex material
Step 4 - Get quotes from all of the NRTL's that are approved by OSHA to test to the standard.

You mention IEC, which has me curious what IEC standard are you interested in.


Regards,
DM

"Real world Knowledge isn't dropped from a parachute in the sky but rather acquired in tiny increments from a variety of sources including panic and curiosity."