Flooding is one of the most frequent and destructive natural disasters worldwide. As extreme weather events intensify and urban development expands—especially in underground and critical infrastructure—industrial and commercial facilities are exposed to increasing flood-related risks. For data centers, manufacturing plants, logistics warehouses, hospitals, and other mission-critical facilities, building a truly reliable flood-protection system is essential for safeguarding assets and maintaining business continuity.
Among the global flood-protection standards, one certification is widely recognized as the most rigorous, authoritative, and representative of real-world flood conditions: FM Certification (FM Approvals).
As a company with extensive expertise in flood-protection technologies, Shanghai Weiwang Technology provides a clear explanation of the logic, technical rigor, and industry value behind FM Certification to help enterprises make informed decisions in high-risk environments.
The Core Value of FM Certification
What Is FM Certification?
FM Approvals, part of FM Global, is an independent third-party scientific testing organization that validates whether products can effectively reduce property-loss risks. For flood-protection products, the governing standard is: ANSI/FM Approvals 2510 – Flood Barrier (Latest version: ANSI/FM 2510-2020)
This standard is formally adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is considered one of the world’s most rigorous and systematic validation frameworks for flood-protection products.
Key features of FM Certification include:
- Evaluation of every component and the entire assembly, not just product appearance
- Simulation of real flood scenarios
- Multi-dimensional testing combining hydrostatic pressure, leakage control, impact resistance, and structural stability
- Ongoing quality audits at the manufacturing facility
In other words, FM Certification is not a one-time approval, but a continuous quality-assurance mechanism.
Structure of the ANSI/FM 2510 Standard
ANSI/FM 2510 classifies flood-protection products into two major categories based on application:
Most commercial and industrial applications fall under Opening Barriers, which is also a core product line of Shanghai Weiwang Technology.
How Do Rigorous Tests Ensure True Flood Protection?
Hydrostatic Pressure Test
FM 2510 requires:
- Immersion of the product at its maximum design water depth for 20 consecutive hours
- Leakage limits must meet: ≤ 1 liter/hour per meter of seal length
This is one of the strictest leakage requirements in the entire flood-protection industry.
Interpretation:
Even under long-duration hydrostatic pressure, the leakage along each meter of sealing length is less than the volume of a small cup of water.
This test ensures that the barrier maintains watertight performance during prolonged flood exposure, preventing water ingress that could damage equipment or cause system outages.
Impact Test
To simulate the destructive power of flood-borne debris, the test uses:
- A 50-kg timber projectile
- Impact energy of 600 joules
- At least two consecutive impacts on the flood barrier
The test evaluates:
- Whether the door panel experiences structural damage
- Whether the frame-to-wall connection remains intact
- Whether the barrier can still provide flood protection after impact
This test reflects the real-world structural resilience of the product under extreme flood scenarios.
Manufacturing Surveillance Audit
After certification, manufacturers must undergo continuous factory audits, including:
- On-site facility inspections
- Material traceability verification
- Sample testing
- Documentation and process-consistency review
This ensures every manufactured product remains consistent with the approved model.
Application Scenarios
FM 2510-certified flood-protection products are widely used in:
- Data centers and mission-critical IT rooms
- Semiconductor fabs and precision-manufacturing facilities
- Commercial buildings, hotels, hospitals, and basement entrances
- Logistics centers, food and pharmaceutical factories
- Generator rooms, electrical switchgear rooms, and mechanical-electrical spaces
- Industrial parks and protected equipment zones
Shanghai Weiwang Technology’s flood-protection solutions have been extensively deployed across these environments.
Why Should Enterprises Choose FM-Certified Flood-Protection Products?
(1) Lowest Leakage Rates — Protecting Core Assets from Water Intrusion
Extreme low leakage thresholds ensure reliable performance during prolonged flooding.
(2) High Structural Integrity — Doors Remain Functional After Impact
A true flood door does not simply “block water”; it must withstand pressure without structural failure.
(3) Transparent and Traceable Manufacturing — Consistent and Reliable Quality
FM’s continuous auditing guarantees uniform product quality.
(4) Supports Compliance With FERP and Major Corporate Standards
FM-certified barriers are often preferred by multinational corporations as part of their emergency-response planning.
(5) High Recognition by Insurance Organizations
In high-risk zones, FM-certified flood barriers enhance facility resilience and may improve insurability.
Conclusion
In an era of increasing climate unpredictability, flood protection is no longer a temporary or supplementary measure—it must be a scientifically validated safety system. Through its rigorous, impartial, and transparent testing process, FM Certification (FM Approvals) has become the most authoritative global standard for flood-protection products.
Shanghai Weiwang Technology Co., Ltd. will continue to follow the technical requirements of ANSI/FM 2510, delivering highly reliable flood-protection systems and engineering services for data centers, manufacturing facilities, and mission-critical infrastructure—helping our clients meet future flood-risk challenges with international-standard solutions.