PARSIPPANY, N.J. (Sept. 11, 2015) – The Hydraulic Institute (HI) has announced the launch of the new Pump Test Lab Approval program. HI member company, Hydro, Inc. becomes the first organization to have their pump test laboratory approved through the program.
The program assists pump OEMs and other pump test laboratories to improve their current laboratory procedures and policies by working with an experienced third-party auditor to develop and maintain accurate, uniform and repeatable pump testing protocols. The program also helps participating organizations adhere to the requirements of the international test laboratory accreditation standard (ISO 17025) concerning test measurement equipment.
The program has been designed around the new “Hydraulic Institute Program Guide for Pump Test Laboratory Approval” (HI 40.7–2015), which summarizes the key elements of this voluntary program. The guide is available at no cost in the HI eStore. Any qualified domestic or global corporation, research institution or laboratory can participate in the HI Pump Test Laboratory Approval Program.
Facilities must have in-house capabilities to conduct pump performance tests to “Hydraulic Institute Standards for Methods for Rotodynamic Pump Efficiency Testing” (HI 40.6–2014) standard, personnel that understand HI standards and pump testing techniques and quality systems that ensure continued best practices after the audit. As part of the program, qualified laboratories agree to periodic audits of their facilities, records, equipment and personnel to determine compliance with the HI 40.7 program guide and HI 40.6 standard.
In addition, the program promotes an increased level of assurances to pump end users as well as energy advocates and electric power utilities, which are working with HI to develop an Energy Rating label that accelerates the adoption of premium efficient pump systems.
“HI members from many pump OEMs assisted in the development of the 40.7 guideline,” said Mark Heiser, test and validation lab manager for Xylem Inc.- Applied Water Systems and co-chair of the HI 40.7 committee. “It will be used as an assurance to our customers that our testing practices are sound and that our products will perform in the field as they do in the lab. Having more efficient pumps and pump systems is of great importance in reducing the overall consumption of energy in this country.”
The Hydraulic Institute serves as a resource to member companies, engineering consulting firms and pump users worldwide by developing and delivering comprehensive industry standards, expanding knowledge by providing education and tools for the effective application, testing, installation, operation, maintenance and performance optimization of pumps and pumping systems.