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How approved tests standard clauses undermine test result reliability

How test standard clauses undermine test result reliability.


The small print with all EU, BS, Kitemarked, US or other approved standards for products tested in a laboratory warns of limitations inherent in their tests. 


All official tests standards, whether BS or Kitemark or International, are limited because the results are strictly only applicable to one, or a range of, "typical" samples that was tested. There is an assumption that other similar products will perform in the same way in real life. Buyer beware - Watch out!. 

The condition of the product(s) when used, how it is applied and the real-life circumstances (which will inevitably differ from the controlled test conditions), all affect the actual real life performance. So you should never expect the same results in real life as were seen in an official test.

Why do BS, Kitemark, EN and other international standards for flood products fail to cover Flood Traps?

It is pretty obvious when you think of it. A standard door in real life simply does not exist. Over time the door and its frame and the weather seal can all deteriorate. The gaps - upto 3mm between a door and its frame can changes from the bottom to the top of the door. Doors can warp with the weather and become worn as can the weather stripping and the door frame. The seal between threshold plate with it's vertical door stop can also break allowing water to seep in beneath the plate. 

The performance of products relies not only on the sample under test being identical to the product in real life but also to the conditions of use in real life being identical to those in the test. If the conditions change the performance changes - that is why for example car fuel consumption is given at different test conditions, e.g. a simulated urban environment, a simulated motoway spped and a mix of the two. In reality each car performs differently as they become worn and are driven differently. 

The point is that we should never expect product that have been approved to behave exactly the same way in real life as in the test lab.

Flood Traps would need to be tested complete with your door and frame in an approved and certified test facility.

Since test results would be dependent on the condition of the building structure (your door and its frame and how well they are fitted in the building) in addition to the DIY fitted product Flood Traps obviously their performance cannot be cannot be covered by any "standard" as the variable cannot be standardised. Flood Traps are therefore deemed to be beyond the scope of BS 851188 or any other similar standard.

Flood Traps for your doors and low-level windows provide easy-to-use, effective protection.

Even though authorities cannot endorse them as they must be seen to be impartial and Flood Traps cannot be tested to Internationally recognised standards that, for reasons detailed above, are of questionable validity themselves Flood Traps perform very well and are much better than sandbags or doing nothing to keep floods from getting into your property through gaps around doors and windows. 

Using Flood Traps as one of a range of flood mitigation products, could be the best low cost investment you ever make.