VISPA
Verified Independent Service Provider Association
How To Become a Verified ISP
To become a verified ISP, an individual/company should obtain training for advanced cleaning, advanced inspection and advanced repair from a manufacturer or another verified ISP.
After you must purchase the standard repair equipment required to properly recondition the garments and equipment per the NFPA 1851 standard. This equipment includes industrial washing machines, sewing machines, hydrostatic testing equipment, heat seal machines, Fire Rated (FR) fabrics, FR thread and hardware attachment equipment.
Next, you must develop a Quality Control manual that meets the requirements of the NFPA 1851 standard. It is recommended that the manual use standard ISO methods for documentation.
Next, contact either Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and/or Intertek, third party laboratories, to begin the verification process. This process will include testing your proficiency in constructing and repairing materials used on Structural Turnout garments. The process may take up to 3 to 4 months depending on the results of the testing for the third party laboratory.
Once you receive your verification certification, you are authorized to work on all brands of turnout ensemble equipment. As long as your verification certificate is renewed every 12 months, then you will maintain the status of Verified ISP.
The details of these steps and requirements may be found in the NFPA 1851 document which may be purchased at www.nfpa.org.