SCHEME RULES 3 1 (8)

Approved by the Board September 19

th
, 2003

Valid from 1
st
of March, 2004

This is a translation from the original text in Finnish
language

Updated April 3rd, 2006
- Only editorial changes



FINNISH QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CERTIFICATION SCHEME FOR
SHUT-OFF VALVES FOR DISTRICT HEATING PIPE SYSTEMS


CONTENTS

0 Introduction
1 Object
2 Scope
3 General rules
4 Administration, organisation
5 Application
6 Certificate, Quality mark (LT-mark)
7 Certification procedure
7.1 Initial type tests and inspection
7.2 Manufacturer's quality surveillance
7.3 External inspection
7.4 Quality of delivered products
8 Modifications to materials, products, production methods
9 Test laboratories
10 Use of Certificate and Quality mark (LT-mark), requirements for product marking
11 Actions in case of non-compliance, non-conformity, misuse of certificate or LT-mark
12 Suspension of certificate and LT-mark licence
13 Withdrawal of certificate and LT-mark licence
14 Communications, publications
15 Responsibility for product quality
16 Documentation, records
17 Appeals against Executive Committee decisions
18 Complaints of product quality
19 Confidentiality
20 Costs and fees

Annex A Supplementary requirements of FEI Recommendation L4/2003 to EN 488
Annex B Shut-off valves for DH pipes, manufacturer's type test, items, test methods and
activities
Annex C Shut-off valves for DH pipes, manufacturer's quality surveillance, items, test methods
and minimum test frequencies
Annex D Application for Quality mark (LT-mark) licence
Annex E Pattern of LT-mark licence
Annex F Pattern of letter communicating lists of LT-mark licences and certificates
Annex G List of approved Test Institutes for tests according to EN 488 / FEI L4/2003
Annex H Design of the Quality mark, "LT-mark"
Annex I Fees related to certificate and LT-mark licence
ET
2
FINNISH QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CERTIFICATION SCHEME FOR
SHUT-OFF VALVES FOR DISTRICT HEATING PIPE SYSTEMS







0
INTRODUCTION

The Finnish Quality Assurance and Certification System for Preinsulated Pipe
Systems and Shut-off Valves for DH Pipe Systems is based on an agreement
between Finnish Energy Industries (FEI) representing users (energy
companies) and Finnish Plastics Industries Federation (FPIF) representing DH
pipe manufacturers. According to the agreement FEI administers the system
and carries out the day-to-day operations.

FEI recommends its member companies to buy and use only certified products.
Product certification is recommended to be part of requirements in tender
documents of the energy companies. When nevertheless uncertified products
(which fall under the scope of this scheme) are offered by the bidder, this shall
clearly be stated in the bid to avoid confusion.

1
OBJECT The purpose of the Scheme is to provide a voluntary certification system which
is economical, beneficial for both suppliers and users and provides users an
easy way to obtain required assurance of the sufficient quality of the products
(Certificate, Quality mark). The aim is to ensure the required quality of products
mentioned in "Scope" to be delivered to Finnish market and to avoid unsound
price competition at the expense of quality.

These Scheme Rules deal with practicalities involved in operating the
Certification Scheme, e.g. how to obtain and maintain certification, use of
quality mark and procedures and processes to be followed.

2
SCOPE The scope of the Scheme includes following products and their production:
- Shut-off valves for DH pipes covered by EN 488 and Recommendation
L4/2003 published by FEI.

Quality assurance and certification is based on these Scheme Rules and above
mentioned standard and specification.

Annex A gives the supplementary requirements of the above mentioned FEI
Recommendation to EN 488.

In addition to quality assurance the Certification and Quality Marking Scheme
aims at maintaining and promoting standardisation. For this reason e.g.
dimensions DN 20 and DN 32 are not recommended standard dimensions in
Finland and thus not covered by the certificate and can't be quality marked.

3
3
GENERAL RULES

All suppliers have even access to certification on same financial and other
conditions. The system is run on a non-profit basis.

4
ADMINISTRATION, ORGANISATION

The governing Board is responsible for and controls the performance of
certification, e.g. finances, operation of executive body, investigations of
complaints and updating these rules. The Board has four members, two
appointed by FEI and two appointed by FPIF.

The day-to-day operations are taken care by Executive Committee (ExCo)
which consists of one person appointed by FEI. The ExCo is entitled to employ
external experts making inspection visits and taking samples for type and spot
tests.

5
APPLICATION

A manufacturer, who wishes to obtain a Certificate and a Quality mark licence,
shall submit an application to the ExCo on a special form (Annex D). The same
form shall be used to apply for an extension of scope of existing certificate and
in case of changing the place of manufacture of the product.

The application shall be enclosed with a description of the quality control plan,
including manufacturer's surveillance and inspection procedures, frequencies
and documentation (models of inspection/test reports, control charts...).

6
CERTIFICATE, QUALITY MARK (LT-MARK)

After acceptance of application and on satisfactory completion of initial
inspection and type tests the ExCo grants the supplier a Certificate and an LT-
mark licence.

The Certificate and LT-mark licence covers the production units mentioned in
the Certificate. Extension of a Certificate to cover other production units of
preinsulated pipes or fittings calls for the same procedure (application, initial
inspection and type tests).

The Certificate and LT-mark licence can't be transferred to another production
unit or another company.

The validity period of a Certificate and an LT-mark licence is one year at a time.

In the case of amendment or revision to the relevant EN standards, FEI
recommendations or these Scheme Rules a supplementary inspection and/or
type testing may be required to prove compliance with the changed
requirements in order to re-issue the Certificate and LT-mark licence.

Pattern of LT-mark licence is given in Annex E.
4

7
CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE

Testing and inspection procedures in order to obtain and maintain Certificate
and LT-mark licence include:
- initial type tests and inspection
- manufacturer's quality surveillance
- external inspection
- check of quality reclamations (follow up of field quality)

7.1
Initial type tests and inspection

Type testing and inspection is performed to obtain initial validation of materials,
products, production processes and manufacturer's quality surveillance. Type
tests shall demonstrate that products conform to all requirements for the
characteristics given in Annex B.

After application for a Certificate and LT-mark licence, an initial type inspection
visit to the manufacturer is made by the ExCo and type tests shall be
performed.

The initial type inspection shall provide evidence that the manufacturer meets
all the requirements of this Certification Scheme.

The ExCo, approved Test Institute (see Annex G) or a person authorised by the
ExCo takes samples for type tests. Random sampling from a representative
selection of products must be possible.

Type tests shall be performed in one of the approved Test Institutes. The
supplier is responsible for sending the samples to the Test Institute and for the
related costs. A test performed not more than half a year before the date of
application is accepted, provided that impartial sampling can be proved.

If all the results of the initial or renewed type inspection and/or type tests are
not satisfactory for obtaining certification, the applicant should apply corrective
actions. After that those parts of inspection and/or tests considered necessary
by the ExCo shall be repeated.

7.2
Manufacturer's quality surveillance

The manufacturer shall undertake surveillance to ensure that the required
quality level is continually maintained. The minimum requirements of
surveillance (characteristics and test frequencies) are given in Annex C.

The tests and measurements can be performed by the manufacturer itself or
they can be outsourced to a subcontractor or test laboratory.

All surveillance tests and measurements shall be documented, giving the
information of the samples, results, dates and name of controller. These
documents together with documents on manufacture and received materials
5
and components shall be maintained for at least 5 years and the ExCo shall
have access to them.

For inspection purposes, in order to facilitate the evaluation of test frequencies
and functioning of quality surveillance, the manufacturer shall have
- for each character summaries on the amount of tests performed per
dimension and type of valve
- corresponding summaries of manufactured or received components and
finished products.

7.3
External inspection

External inspection is performed in order to evaluate the licensee's continued
compliance with all the specified requirements for Certification, especially the
minimum extent and proper functioning of the manufacturer's quality
surveillance. This inspection may also include sampling of products for spot
tests.

A written report on the results of every inspection is prepared by the ExCo and
sent to the licensee.

Inspection visits to the manufacturers are normally made by the ExCo at least
once a year, with or without advance notice.

7.4
Quality of delivered products

Feed back is gathered by the ExCo from the field in order to follow up the
quality of the delivered products. The licensees shall keep record of the quality
reclamations they receive from the field and the actions they have consequently
taken. These records can be checked by the ExCo during external inspection
visits.

8
MODIFICATIONS TO MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, PRODUCTION PROCESSES

The licensee is obliged to notify the ExCo of any significant modification made
to the product (design, construction, materials) or production process having
possible effect on either the compliance of the finished product with the relevant
EN standards and FEI recommendations or on the validity of the Certificate.
The ExCo decides whether or not this effect exists. In positive case new type
tests and/or inspection is required in total or to the extent judged by the ExCo.

9
TEST LABORATORIES

Test laboratories accepted by the Board can be employed to perform type and
spot tests (see Annex G).
6
10
USE OF CERTIFICATE AND QUALITY MARK (LT-MARK), REQUIREMENTS FOR
PRODUCT MARKING

The licensed manufacturer is entitled to affix the LT-mark on the certified
products. Certificates and LT-mark licences may also be used in marketing and
advertising of certified products. This must not cause confusion between
certified and non-certified products of the manufacturer, especially in bidding
process.

The design of an LT-mark is given in Annex H. The size and colours of the
mark may be freely chosen.

11
ACTIONS IN CASE OF NON-COMPLIANCE, NON-CONFORMITY, MISUSE OF
CERTIFICATE OR LT-MARK

Any non-compliance on the part of the manufacturer in the application of these
Scheme Rules or any non-conformity of the products with the specified EN
standards and FEI recommendations, e.g. required minimum test frequencies
in surveillance are not met or spot tests reveal substandard quality, may result
in one of the following actions:
- corrective action by the manufacturer, specified by the ExCo, e.g. remark
and correction claim, additional/intensified surveillance for a specified
period, repeated external inspections and/or additional spot tests in one of
the approved Test Institutes at the cost of the manufacturer
- reduction of the scope of products on the Certificate/LT-mark licence
- public warning (notified to the members of FEI)
- suspension of the Certificate/LT-mark licence
- withdrawal of the Certificate/LT-mark licence

12
SUSPENSION OF CERTIFICATE AND LT-MARK LICENCE

Suspension of the Certificate and LT-mark licence may be initiated by the ExCo
in cases required corrective actions have not been taken as referred or do not
have desired effect, and if total withdrawal is not required.

The ExCo notifies the licensee of the suspension with justification in writing.
The licensee is entitled to appeal against the decision within two weeks of
notification.

13
WITHDRAWAL OF CERTIFICATE AND LT-MARK LICENCE

Withdrawal of the Certificate and LT-mark licence may be initiated by the ExCo
in the following cases:
- immediately in case of deceit in reporting and documentation of
manufacturer's surveillance, e.g. results recorded without making tests or
measurements
- if the LT-mark is used on a product for which the Certificate/LT-mark licence
was not granted
7
- if the manufacturer, regardless of required actions and warnings, does not
correct basic defects in quality control equipment, performance of
surveillance or it's documentation
- if the manufacturer has not ordered the tests required by the ExCo and
delivered the test samples to the test institute within one month
- if the products after corrective actions do not meet the specifications set
with respect to basic properties in additional tests or intensified surveillance.

The ExCo notifies the licensee of the withdrawal with justification in writing. The
licensee is entitled to appeal against the decision within two weeks of
notification.

The Certificate and LT-mark licence terminates when the appeal period is up or
in case of appeal when the Board has confirmed the withdrawal.

In case of deceit the withdrawal takes effect immediately after notification of the
decision of the ExCo. The Board has the right to notify these cases to the
members of the FEI.

14
COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLICATIONS

The ExCo publishes on its internet site (www.energia.fi --> kaukolmp -->
laadunvarmistus ja testaus) lists of Certificates and LT-mark licences once a
Certificate is granted or withdrawn, and in January-February every year. In the
latter case also paper versions of these lists are sent to all heat selling member
companies of FEI, all certified suppliers and all authorised DH pipe contractors.
Pattern of this communication is given in Annex F.

15
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRODUCT QUALITY

The licensee is responsible for the quality of certified/LT-marked products and
for seeing to it that these products meet the relevant specifications of the
standards and recommendations stated in the Certificate in all respects. The
ExCo and the governing Board has no financial or other responsibility on
product quality.

16
DOCUMENTATION, RECORDS

The manufacturer shall maintain for a minimum of 5 years records necessary to
confirm that the quality surveillance continually conforms to the requirements.

The Board and the ExCo shall maintain records of their decisions.

17
APPEALS AGAINST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECISIONS

Appeals against decisions of the ExCo shall be forwarded within one month to
the ExCo. Appeals will be investigated by the Board as soon as possible.
8
18
COMPLAINTS OF PRODUCT QUALITY

The licensees shall keep record of all quality complaints and remedial actions
to the products covered by the Certificate. This record shall be available to the
ExCo during inspection visits.

19
CONFIDENTIALITY

The information obtained by the ExCo and the Board during it's certification
activities is confidential.

20
COSTS AND FEES

The manufacturer is responsible for the costs associated with type tests and
spot tests in approved Test Institutes, inspection visits by the ExCo and for the
fees according to Annex I. The fees cover part of the costs of maintaining and
running the daily operations of the Scheme. On this basis the fee level is
annually determined by the Board.


Executive committee for quality assurance ANNEX A

19.9.2003








SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS OF FEI RECOMMENDATION L4/2003 TO EN 488

The basis of the FEI Recommendation L4/2003 is the requirements specified in
EN 488. Following list gives the supplementary requirements of the
Recommendation regarding technical properties of the products.

- Valves for DH pipes shall meet the requirements of directive 97/23/EU (in
Finland KTMp 938/1999)

- Valves to be foamed in preinsulated fittings shall withstand axial stress level of
300 N/mm
2
in the pipe (cold laying)

- DN 200 and smaller valves shall be ball valves, DN 250 and bigger valves
shall be ball valves or butterfly valves

- DN 20 and DN 32 are not recommended standard dimensions and can't be
quality marked

- The shell and stem casing shall be tight when tested with cold water
overpressure of 1,5 x PN (PN 16: 2,4 MPa) in accordance with EN 12266-1. A
gas pressure test may also be performed with a pressure of 1,5 x PN.

- Leak tightness of the seat shall be tested according to EN 12266-1. The
maximum seat leakage shall for soft seated valves conform to leakage rate A
and for metal seated valves rate B in production tests and rate B in type test.

- In DN 125 and bigger valves the stem shall be designed so that the valve can
be manoeuvred with a transportable gear from the ground surface

- The closing and opening forces of the valve should be within the limits given
in EN 12570. In any case, when tested with a new valve and full pressure
difference at 20 C the tangential closing and opening force shall not be bigger
than

hand lever DN 125: F = 200 N
hand wheel DN 250: F = 300 N
DN 300...600: F = 400 N

- In valve fittings the stem construction outside insulation shall be made of
material which is corrosion resistant also in soils exposed to influence of road
salt and sea water

ET

- The ball in ball valves shall be of stainless steel and the seat rings of carbon
reinforced teflon (PTFE + C). The disc in butterfly valves shall be of steel and
the sealing of metal

- The constructional resistance and operational function shall be type tested
according to FVF D:210 / FEI L4

- The k
v
-value of valves shall be type tested as follows

Ball valves Min. two dimensions, one DN
25...125, the other DN 150...400
Butterfly valves Min. one dimension DN 250

- Minimum requirement for type tests and manufacturer's quality surveillance is
a normative part of the specification.

ANNEX B
(normative)


FINNISH ENERGY INDUSTRIES RECOMMENDATION L4/2003
APPENDIX 2


VALVES FOR DH PIPES,

MANUFACTURER'S TYPE TEST AND TYPE INSPECTION, ITEMS, TEST METHODS AND ACTIVITIES





Item

Test method

Activity / procedure

General Manufacturer's production and
quality surveillance processes
Inspection
Constructional and functional test
- one average dimension of a
valve type shall be tested
FVF D:210 /
FEI L4
Inspection of type test report Steel
valve
kv-values of valves
- ball valves: min 2 dimensions,
one DN 25...125, the other DN
150...400
- butterfly valves: one dimension
DN 250
EN 1267 / FEI
L4
Inspection of type test report


ANNEX C
(normative)


FINNISH ENERGY INDUSTRIES RECOMMENDATION L4/2003
APPENDIX 3


VALVES FOR DH PIPES,

MANUFACTURER'S QUALITY SURVEILLANCE, ITEMS, TEST METHODS AND MINIMUM TEST
FREQUENCIES




Item

Test method

Minimum test frequency



Inspection of welds
- visual inspection and
radiographic inspection


EU directive
97/23/EU
(in Finland
KTMp 938)


In accordance with EU directive 97/23/EU
(KTMp 938)

Leak tightness of the shell
and stem casing

EN 12266-1 /
FEI L4



100 %

Leak tightness of the seat

EN 12266-1 /
FEI L4


100 %

Main dimensions and
tolerances

FEI L4

sampling, the amount of samples depending
on the size of production batch, always min. 3
valves


Visual inspection of the
valve

FEI L4

sampling, the amount of samples depending
on the size of production batch, always min. 3
valves


Steel
valve

Operational inspection of
the valve
- opening and closing
forces
- proper functioning of
open and closed position
indicators and other
equipment


EN 12266-2
and FEI L4

sampling, the amount of samples depending
on the size of production batch, always min. 3
valves



ANNEX D


APPLICATION FOR QUALITY MARK (LT-MARK) LICENCE

Please forward your application to:

Finnish Energy Industries
Veli-Pekka Sirola
P.O.Box 100
FI-00101 HELSINKI


Applicant


Company

Post address

Phone

Fax

Contact person

e-mail

Place of manufacture


Manufacturer (to be filled, if not the same as applicant)


Company

Post address

Phone

Fax

Place of manufacture


Product information


Product group Shut-off valves for DH pipe systems

Documents 1. EN 488
2. Finnish Energy Industries Recommendation no L4/2003
3. Scheme Rules for Quality Assurance and Certification for shut-
off valves for DH pipe systems

Product (trade name, type, description, raw materials, production range per valve type...)


Manufacturer's quality surveillance plan (at least items in annex C) shall be enclosed


Engagement We have studied the Scheme Rules for quality marking of the products
mentioned in this application. Should the mark licence be granted to us, we
comply with the rules mentioned as well as other instructions concerning quality
marking given by the Board of Quality Assurance for DH Pipes in Finland.


______________________, ___/___ _____, ___________________________________________________
Place Date Signature / Name clarification

ET

ANNEX E


Executive Committee for Quality Assurance LICENCE NO 1/2006




P A T T E R N




L T - M A R K L I C E N C E

The Executive Committee for the Finnish Quality Assurance System for District
Heating Pipes grants this licence based on type tests carried out in
independent laboratories, initial inspection of the manufacturer's production and
quality surveillance and annual external quality inspections.

Products: Ball valve for DH pipe systems, type XXX

Manufacturer:

Applicant:

Type test report:

The Executive Committee verifies that these products comply with the
requirements given in EN 448 and recommendation L4/2003 published by
Finnish Energy Industries.

The licensee is permitted to use the quality mark (LT-mark) registered by the
Board for Quality Assurance for marking and marketing products mentioned in
the licence. This licence is valid only for the place of manufacture mentioned
above.

This marking licence is valid from 31st of January 2006 for one year at a time
provided that the extent, functioning and results of the manufacturer's quality
surveillance and periodic testing of samples meet the specified requirements.

This licence supersedes licence no 1/2005.


Helsinki, January 31st 2006

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE


N.N
ET

ANNEX F


Veli-Pekka Sirola COMMUNICATION Lxx/2006
Finnish Energy Industries, District Heating
31.1.2006



To member companies

P A T T E R N


Ref: ET-district heating binder 2/11

QUALITY ASSURANCE OF DH PIPE SYSTEMS, LT-MARK LICENCES AND
CERTIFICATES


Enclosed list gives the LT-mark licences and certificates that are valid
31.1.2006.

Each licence and certificate defines which product or construction they cover.
Manufacturers are allowed to mark their licensed pipes and fittings and shut-off
valves with LT-mark. Heat shrinkable sleeves and other joint materials (which
can be used in different joint constructions) must not be LT-marked, instead
they are granted a quality certificate.

Finnish Energy Industries recommends its member companies to buy and
use only LT-marked / certified products. Product certification is
recommended to be part of requirements in the invitation to tender
documents. When nevertheless uncertified products are offered by the
bidder, this should clearly be stated in the bid.

This communication will be sent to those concerned in the beginning of every
year. In the meantime the certificate lists are kept up-to-date in internet,
www.energia.fi --> kaukolmp --> laadunvarmistus ja testaus.

Further information: Veli-Pekka Sirola, Finnish Energy Industries, tel. +358 9
5305 2303, e-mail: veli-pekka.sirola@energia.fi.


Veli-Pekka Sirola



APPENDIX Lists of LT-mark licences and certificates / 31.1.2006

ANNEX G

Executive Committee for Quality Assurance LIST

19.9.2003








APPROVED TEST INSTITUTES FOR TESTS ACCORDING TO EN 488 / FEI L4/2003


The Board of Quality Assurance for DH pipes in Finland accepts the tests (type
tests and external quality control spot tests) performed by test institutes listed
hereafter. In practise the acceptance calls for official accreditation for the tests
in question. Test pieces must be taken neutrally. The acceptance is valid until
further provision.


VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland
Box 18011
FIN-02044 VTT
FINLAND

DTI, Danish Technological Institute
Teknologiparken
DK-8000 AARHUS C
DENMARK

SP, Swedish National Testing and Research Institute
Box 24036
S-40022 GOTHENBURG
SWEDEN

FFI, Fernwme-Forschungsinstitut in Hannover E.V.
Max-von-Laue-Strasse 23
D-30966 HEMMINGEN
GERMANY

IMA, Materialfoschung und Anwendungstechnik GmbH
Box 80 01 44
D-01101 DRESDEN
GERMANY

MPA, Materialprfanstalt fr Werkstoffe des Machinenwesens und
Kunststoffe
Appelstrasse 11 A
D-30167 HANNOVER
GERMANY


ET

ANNEX H



DESIGN OF THE QUALITY MARK, " LT-MARK"













ET

ANNEX I

Executive Committee for Quality Assurance FEES

Determined by the Board
September 19, 2003

Valid from January, 2004





FEES RELATED TO CERTIFICATE AND LT-MARK LICENCE


The fees associated with the scheme are determined by the Board.

Application fee

No application fees are invoiced.

Annual fee

Annual Certificate and LT-mark licence fees are invoiced per product in the
beginning of the year. The fees are as follows:

The annual fee is 200

Inspection and testing fees

The licensee is responsible for meeting all the costs associated with the initial
and external inspections, type and spot testing and any special inspection or
testing where necessary (e.g. when dealing with non-compliance to the scheme
rules or complaints), invoiced by the ExCo or Testing Institute, as applicable.

ET