The US-based Gold Seal laboratory in Lisle, Illinois has been completely updated with a $1.3m dollar expansion and remodelling covering nearly 7,000 sq ft of secured access space. This expansion dramatically increases the testing capacity and capabilities offered by WQA.
Most importantly, the lab expansion enables quicker turnaround times for testing, to help clients get products to market as soon as possible. Prior to expansion, there were three stations to test point of use filters and reverse osmosis (RO) systems. Six additional test stations were added, tripling testing capacity.
A custom-built catwalk provides safe and easy access to the 12 500-gallon challenge tanks. Test stations have been updated with increased functionality such as automatic pressure control, tank level control and continuous challenge and exposure water temperature monitoring. Stations have a control interface with an intuitive design that aids in increasing test repeatability and that provides more flexibility for performing unique tests.
Materials Safety Extraction Testing is a large segment of the lab’s testing requests. This testing is performed to demonstrate that the materials used to manufacture water treatment products, plumbing products and chemical additives that are in contact with water do not add contaminants at unsafe levels. A newly expanded extraction room was custom designed, doubling its size, to maximise the amount of extraction tests that can be performed simultaneously.
In the analytical laboratory, an ICP/MS instrument is the newest addition. Its primary purpose is to analyse water samples per ANSI and WQA standards. This new instrument is faster, more sensitive and can analyse up to 40 elements simultaneously.
With the addition of this new instrument, water analysis can be performed on-demand to ensure proper challenge tank concentrations in the lab. This also allows the WQA Laboratory to provide customer feedback in a more timely fashion with improved control over test conditions.
In addition, ceilings were raised, walls removed or relocated, new lighting installed and walls/ceiling structures painted, floors refinished with non-slip epoxy coating, storage expanded and a new gold seal foyer now greets client visitors. Industry demand spurred this increased product certification capacity.
In addition, the Gold Seal programme has been extended to Brazil, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and India.
Source: The Water Quality Association
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