A review of global certification frameworks for condensed aerosol fire suppression systems reveals a critical structural gap. Despite widespread use and international commercialization, no manufacturer currently holds a complete and valid certificate confirming full system-level safety.
The only standard addressing comprehensive safety requirements — EN 15276 — is not fully implemented worldwide. No certification body is currently accredited to conduct full conformity assessments under this standard, which covers toxicity, system integrity, structural resistance, and deployment conditions.
In contrast, UL 2775 and similar standards primarily focus on component behavior, omitting toxicological and systemic safety parameters. This is particularly concerning, as confirmed fatal incidents involving aerosol discharge have been documented, even in the absence of fire.
As of 2025, accreditation and regulatory authorities in Europe and USA — including UKAS and EPA — have initiated formal re-evaluation of existing certificates and declarations of conformity, especially those referencing EN 15276 in part or in name only.
It is becoming increasingly clear that many approvals were granted based on:
- Partial interpretations of standards,
- Non-accredited testing,
- Or unverified manufacturer declarations.
This includes certifications issued by bodies not accredited for the relevant scopes or referencing standards they were not authorized to assess.
The paradox is as follows:
✔ Documented toxic risk
✔ Existing fatalities
✔ Published international standard
✖ No accredited body authorized to enforce or verify compliance
As investigations progress, there is a growing expectation that many — if not all — currently marketed aerosol fire suppression systems may lack valid, full-scope certification. The outcome of this process may have substantial implications for manufacturers, regulators, insurers, and safety engineers.
