07 Apr 2008

Intertek, a global leader in product testing, inspection and certification, recently added motor vehicle brake hose testing to its Grand Rapids laboratory. With a recent upgrade in equipment including a new Ozone chamber, testing can now be offered to the latest revision of FMVSS 106 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard), which specifies labelling and performance requirements for motor vehicle brake hose, brake hose assemblies, and brake hose end fittings for passenger cars, multi-purpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers and motorcycles. The purpose of FMVSS 106 is to reduce deaths and injuries occurring as a result of brake system failure from pressure or vacuum loss due to hose or hose assembly rupture.

An Ozone chamber and a custom-built Dynamic Ozone testing apparatus were installed to meet the new, more stringent requirements of FMVSS 106. The chamber can also be used for testing to typical ASTM specs, including ASTM D1171 and D1149 for the automotive industry.

Ozone Chamber Specifications:

Test temperature range = 20o to 90oC
Ozone concentrations range = 0-250pphm (2.5ppm)
Typical sample sizes = 10 x 100 mm, 25 x 150 mm, 25 x 95 mm, or triangular (25 x 125mm)

Parts can be tested in the following manners:

1) Unstrained
2) Strained (stretched)
3) Looped
4) With dynamic cycling

“The new investment in brake hose testing equipment expands our suite of performance testing services for automotive OEMs and suppliers, giving them another choice in the market” said Tim Hubbard, Intertek Director of Operations.

Contact

For further information, please contact
Linda Hall, Field Marketing Manager
Telephone: 616-656-1347
linda.hall@intertek.com

About Intertek’s testing and certification services

Intertek provides testing and certification services for a variety of commercial and electrical products, including product safety testing and certification, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, performance testing, and management systems certification. These services provide global market access to customers in industries such as automotive, building products, cabling/wiring products, consumer products, food service, furniture, household appliances, HVAC, industrial machinery, IT, lighting, life safety/security, medical devices, power systems, retail, semiconductors, telecom/radio, wireless equipment.

About Intertek

Intertek (LSE: ITRK) is the leading international provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of global and local industries. Partnership with Intertek brings increased value to customers' products and processes, ultimately supporting their success in the global market place. Intertek has the experience, expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its extensive network of laboratories and offices, with over 20,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.