iMist has become the first company to certify a complete water mist system against the new UK fire safety standard BS EN 14972-17:2025, marking an important development for the water mist fire protection industry.

The West Malling-based company has worked with the Fire Protection Association (FPA) to establish what it describes as the UK’s first UKAS-accredited test route for the new standard. The development provides manufacturers with an independent and accredited route for testing water mist systems designed for residential and similar buildings.

The certification follows a period of change for the industry, following the withdrawal of BS 8458:2015 in July 2025.

New Standard Changes the Testing Landscape

BS EN 14972-17:2025 now provides the relevant standard for water mist systems installed in a range of buildings, including homes, flats, care homes and hotels.

However, following the withdrawal of BS 8458:2015, the industry had been without an established accredited testing route for assessing systems against the new standard.

According to iMist, its work with the FPA has helped close that gap. The UKAS-accredited route gives manufacturers a way to independently demonstrate that their systems meet the requirements of BS EN 14972-17:2025.

While iMist is the first manufacturer to achieve certification through the new route, the testing process is available as a route for the wider industry.

Testing the Complete Water Mist System

One of the key aspects of the certification is that iMist tested its complete system rather than assessing individual components in isolation.

Water mist systems consist of multiple components, including pumps, pipework, nozzles and controls. Testing these elements as a complete system provides an opportunity to assess how they work together under fire conditions.

This approach is intended to give a closer indication of how the system will perform once installed in a real property.

The certified system is also designed, manufactured, installed and serviced by iMist in-house. The company says this allows it to support projects throughout their lifecycle, from initial system design through to ongoing maintenance.

What the Certification Means for Water Mist Systems

For building owners, specifiers and installers, independent testing can provide important evidence when selecting a fire suppression system.

The move to BS EN 14972-17:2025 also reflects the wider development of standards covering water mist systems. Rather than relying solely on individual components being tested, whole-system performance provides a more complete picture of how a system is expected to operate.

Alex Pollard, Operations Director at iMist, said the transition from BS 8458 to BS EN 14972-17 had been a significant learning process for both the company and the wider industry.

He added that demonstrating the performance of the complete system at a UKAS-accredited facility provides customers and the industry with clear evidence of that work.

iMist Plans Further Standard Testing

The new certification is not the end of iMist’s testing programme. The company says it is now working towards Part 1 of the BS EN 14972 series, alongside further parts of the standard.

The latest achievement builds on iMist’s previous relationship with the FPA. In 2022, the company became the first to pass the FPA’s UKAS-accredited BS 8458 Annex C test.

The company has continued testing its systems as the relevant standards have developed, culminating in its latest certification to BS EN 14972-17:2025.

For an industry adapting to a new regulatory and testing framework, the establishment of an accredited test route could provide greater clarity for manufacturers and those specifying water mist fire suppression systems.

With further testing planned, iMist’s latest certification also highlights how fire protection standards are continuing to evolve and the importance of demonstrating complete system performance rather than relying solely on individual component testing.