Buying HPC Guarantees Peace of Mind: Not all Fire Features are Created Equal

Many Homeowners are extending their outdoor living spaces and enhancing them with fire features. However, not all fire features are created equal. HPC would like to educate consumers about the importance of buying certified fire appliances from accredited manufacturers. Buying HPC gives our consumers peace of mind, as each fire appliance that leaves our facility has been engineered and assembled to meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) criteria. In addition, HPC sends our fire appliances to be tested and verified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). You will see the CSA emblem assuring our consumers that HPC’s fire appliances and the components have achieved CSA certification making the appliance ready for use in both Canadian and US markets. This Tech Talk is dedicated to outlining HPC’s processes and the steps the organization takes to create safe reliable fire features achieving accreditation from CSA and meet ANSI standards.

HPC’s Steps Ensuring Safety:

HPC’s dedicated Research and Design team puts each design through rigorous testing based on ANSI standards to ensure quality appliances that are not only safe and reliable but stand the test of time. Each piece is carefully tooled and inspected during the assembly process. HPC’s quality and control team provide a final internal test of the fully assembled appliance remaining in compliance with ANSI standards. While competitors neglect this crucial step, HPC takes the time to test the whole unit ensuring that the ignition system, valve, pan and burner all work seamlessly together giving off our safe, reliable, signature brilliant flame. Beyond testing, HPC has created another layer of protection for our consumers with the development of our safety technology. HPC’s research and design team developed Flame Sensing Technology. This mechanism allows the valve to recognize if there is a flame on the pilot. The valve will remain open allowing gas to flow if a flame is present and will close in the event that the flame has been extinguished. In addition, HPC’s Technical Support Team undergoes extensive training and each team member is certified by the National Fire Institute. Their knowledge and expertise offer dealers, architects and our customers informed guidance around all their fire design needs from installation advice to troubleshooting. As you can see, HPC weaves safety through all points of service from testing, to technology, to our certified technicians.

Testing and Accreditation-CSA’s Role:

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) writes the standard of how to safely build outdoor decorative fire appliances. For manufacturers to receive accreditation, ANSI requires that all certified appliances must be fully assembled and tested at the manufacturer and they must undergo testing from designated entities. CSA and Underwriters Laboratory (UL) are two main entities that are accredited to test-fire appliances to ensure compliance with ANSI standards for outdoor decorative fire appliances (2.41/ANSI Z21.97). HPC chooses to collaborate with CSA as they have more experience testing and certifying outdoor gas fire features. To achieve certification, CSA will send an engineer to visit the manufacturer onsite. There CSA will review the assembly of the equipment, as well as internal product testing and will also conduct on-site burn testing. CSA holds manufacturers’ processes and their equipment to high standards. In turn, HPC is subjected to audits twice a year. This is done to confirm that HPC is maintaining the standards to remain certified and in compliance with ANSI standards. CSA will test individual components as well as test fully assembled appliances. Each unit will undergo rain tests that require the burner to light within a 15-minute time frame after the rain has subsided. In addition, each unit completes a 30 mph wind test and is required to remain lit. Lastly, CSA will take measurements confirming the unit uses the designated amount of Britain Thermal Units (BTU). To maintain certification, HPC completes internal testing and reports findings back to CSA on a monthly basis.

Customer Service:

HPC values knowledge and invests in the exploration of best practices as well as engineering to ensure quality and performance for each fire design. HPC remains dedicated to ensure each fire design upholds ANSI standards and maintains CSA certification. HPC continues to lead the industry and has more than 400 CSA-certified products and fire appliances. As of November 2021, HPC achieved CSA certification for our customized components and low gas pressure system fire designs. This achievement is truly significant and reinforces why HPC is the industry leader in both safety and innovation.

Buying certified appliances from HPC gives our consumers confidence that their fire appliances meet industry safety standards. Installing certified appliances will assure approval from building officials and inspectors ensuring your project won’t be delayed due to any building requirements.

Let our dedicated Certified National Fire Institute Tech team, as well as our Customer Specialists, field any questions or concerns. They will walk you through from start to finish ensuring your fire appliances exceed your desires. Reach our HPC Fire Inspired team at 937-436-9800 or at Info@HPCFire.com