INSPECTION AND TESTING OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Transcription

1 INSPECTION AND TESTING OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS Intrductin Early warning plays a key rle in a health care facility s ability t safely evacuate its residents during a fire emergency. As a result, a lt is riding n yur fire alarm system s ability t perate and functin prperly. S much s, in fact, that state law prhibits the ccupancy f any prtin f a building until the required fire alarm and detectin system has been tested and apprved see MSFC(15), Sec Further, MSFC(15), Sec requires that such systems be maintained in an perative cnditin at all times and be repaired r replaced when defective. In rder t meet bth federal certificatin requirements and state licensure requirements, fire alarm systems are required t be inspected, tested and maintained in accrdance with NFPA 72, Natinal Fire Alarm Cde. Fr federal certificatin, NFPA 101(12), Sec. 2.2 references the 2010 editin f NFPA 72. Fr state licensure, MSFC(15), Sec , as amended, and Table , als reference the 2010 editin f NFPA 72 (see Chapter 80, Referenced Standards). Nte: In accrdance with MSFC(15), Sec , nnrequired fire prtectin systems and equipment must als be inspected, tested and maintained r be remved. A similar requirement can be fund in NFPA 101(12), Sec Applicatin It must be nted that this dcument is intended t serve as a quick-reference guide nly and is nt intended t be exhaustive. It cvers mst, but nt all, f the inspectin, testing and maintenance requirements applicable t fire alarm systems. Sme facilities may have additinal equipment nt cvered in this guide. It is imprtant, therefre, that the user have access t, and becme familiar with all the requirements fund in, NFPA 72. The standard can be rdered frm NFPA at r NFPA Catalg ( Definitins In rder t fllw the requirements f NFPA 72, it is helpful t have a gd understanding f what is meant by inspectin, testing and maintenance. While the terms inspectin and testing are nt separately defined in the standard, the definitins f inspectin persnnel and testing persnnel serve as a gd indicatr f what is meant by the use f the tw terms: NFPA 72(10), Sec defines inspectin persnnel as, Individuals wh cnduct a visual examinatin f a system r prtin theref t verify that it appears t be in perating cnditin, in prper lcatin, and is free f physical damage r cnditins that impair peratin. NFPA 72(10), Sec defines testing persnnel as, Individuals wh perfrm prcedures used t determine the status f a system as intended by cnducting acceptance, reacceptance, r peridic physical checks n systems. NFPA 72(10), Sec defines maintenance as, Wrk including, but nt limited t, repair, replacement, and service, perfrmed t ensure that equipment perates prperly. Persnnel qualificatins It is the facility s respnsibility t ensure that nly prperly trained and cmpetent persns perfrm inspectins, testing and maintenance n its fire alarm system [see NFPA 72(10), Sec ]. Typically, facility persnnel are limited t perfrming inspectin and sme basic testing activities nly. The amunt f testing that can be perfrmed will depend n the level f training received. One f the best surces fr such training wuld be the

2 Page 2 f 8 fire alarm cntractr that perfrms the facility s annual service. Evidence f any training received will need t be maintained in each emplyee s persnnel file. System histry A number f requirements applied t a health care facility s fire prtectin systems are based n the age and date f installatin f thse systems. Withut an accurate written histry f the fire prtectin system(s) in yur facility, it can be difficult t prve t a state r federal life safety surveyr that thse systems are being maintained in accrdance with applicable state and federal standards. This can result in fire/life safety deficiencies being cited. Turnver f administrative and/r maintenance persnnel nly serves t cmpund the prblem. Many authrities having jurisdictin (AHJs) require that a recrd f cmpletin frm be prvided befre they will give final apprval f the initial installatin r subsequent mdificatin f a fire alarm system. NFPA 72(10), Sec requires that ne cpy f the recrd f cmpletin be stred at the fire alarm cntrl unit r ther apprved lcatin. All system mdificatins made after the initial installatin are expected t be recrded n a revised versin f the riginal recrd f cmpletin, which is expected t be maintained current at all times see NFPA 72(10), Sectins and If nt kept at the main fire alarm cntrl unit, the lcatin f these dcuments must be identified at the main fire alarm cntrl unit see NFPA 72(10), Sec The enclsure r cabinet in which the dcuments are stred must be prminently labeled FIRE ALARM DOCUMENTS see NFPA 72(10), Sec Nte: A sample recrd f cmpletin frm is prvided in NFPA 72 see Figure An example f a filled ut recrd f cmpletin frm can be fund in Annex A see Figure A Unfrtunately, nt all systems have a recrd f cmpletin, r the dcument may have gtten lst ver the years. If such is the case at yur facility, it is recmmended that yu create and maintain yur wn histrical recrd n yur system(s). As with just abut anything, the hardest part f creating an histrical recrd is getting started after that, it s a matter f keeping it up-t-date. Yu shuld find the fire alarm cntractr that prvides yur annual service t be an excellent surce f infrmatin abut yur system. Basic questins that need t be answered include: When was the system initially installed? Wh installed it? Were any additins, mdificatins r repairs made t the system? When? Wh did the wrk? What means f cmmunicatin is used t transmit a fire alarm signal between yur facility and the supervising statin (e.g. DACT)? What type f batteries, if any, serve as a secndary pwer supply fr the fire alarm system? It is imprtant t nte that certain changes made t yur building culd necessitate changes r additins t yur fire alarm system. Things t watch fr include cnstructin r remval f walls, change in use f an area, installatin r remval f fire sprinkler prtectin, and the installatin f egress dr lcking arrangements. Specific Requirements The inspectin, testing and maintenance requirements that apply t yur building s fire alarm system start frm the date f initial installatin and cntinue n at specific intervals thrughut the life f the system. What fllws is a brief synpsis f sme f the majr requirements yu need t be aware f.

3 Page 3 f 8 New installatins In rder t meet bth federal certificatin requirements and state licensure requirements, fire alarm systems are required t be installed in accrdance with NFPA 72 and the requirements f the Minnesta State Fire Cde (MSFC) and NFPA 101 applicable t I-2 r healthcare ccupancies [see MSFC(15), Sectins and ; NFPA 101(12), Sectins / and ]. All newly installed systems are required t be acceptance tested in accrdance with the requirements f Chapter 14 f NFPA 72(10). MSFC(15), Sec requires that the fire cde fficial be ntified prir t such testing. Ntificatins In rder t avid unnecessary ccupant respnse and ptential injury t emergency respnse persnnel, it is very imprtant that all affected parties be ntified prir t any scheduled testing f the fire alarm system [see NFPA 72(10), Sec ]. Thse ntified shuld include, but nt be limited t, building ccupants (e.g. visitrs, staff and patients/residents) and the mnitring cmpany r agency. System mdificatins 1. Reacceptance testing is required after any f the fllwing ccur [see NFPA 72(10), Sec ]: Additin r deletin f system cmpnents Any mdificatin, repair r adjustment t system hardware r wiring Any change t site-specific sftware 2. Again, MSFC(15), Sec requires that the fire cde fficial be ntified prir t such testing. 3. The extent f testing necessary is determined as fllws see NFPA 72(10), Sec : When an initiating device, ntificatin appliance r cntrl relay is added, it must be functinally tested. When an initiating device, ntificatin appliance r cntrl relay is deleted, anther device, appliance r cntrl relay n the circuit must be perated. When mdificatins t cntrl equipment hardware are made, the cntrl equipment must be tested in accrdance with Table , items 1(a) and 1(d). When changes are made t site-specific sftware, all functins knwn t be affected by the change, r identified by a means that indicates changes, must be 100 percent tested. In additin, 10 percent f initiating devices that are nt directly affected, up t a maximum f 50 devices, must als be tested and prper peratin verified. Whenever there are changes t cntrl units cnnected r cntrlled by the system executive sftware, a 10 percent functinal test f the system is required, including a test f at least ne device n each input and utput circuit t verify critical system functins such as ntificatin appliances, cntrl functins and ff-premises reprting. Semiannually 1. Certain fire alarm system cmpnents need t be visually inspected semiannually [see NFPA 72(10), Table ]. These visual inspectins can be perfrmed by facility staff and include: a. Cntrl unit truble signals verify that they are readily visible b. Remte annunciatrs verify that they are in prper perating cnditin and free f damage c. Initiating devices (e.g. duct detectrs, manual fire alarm bxes, heat detectrs, smke detectrs, etc.) verify that they are in place, unbstructed and free f damage. d. Ntificatin appliances verify that they are unbstructed and free f damage e. Magnetic hld-pen devices verify that they are free f damage and functin prperly 2. A visual inspectin f fire alarm intercnnect switches n kitchen hd extinguishing systems is als required.

4 Page 4 f 8 3. As an alternate means f cmpliance, cmpnents and systems are allwed t be inspected under a perfrmance-based prgram, subject t the apprval f the AHJ see NFPA 72(10), Sec Inspectin and testing f batteries, smke detectrs (bth hard-wired and battery-perated) and equipment used t transmit signals t a supervising statin are cvered later n in this guide. Annually 1. The entire system is required t be thrughly inspected, tested and maintained each year by an apprved servicing cmpany in accrdance with Chapter 14 f NFPA 72 [see NFPA 72(10), Tables and ; see als: NFPA 90A(12), Sec ]. Testing must include cntrl equipment, remte annunciatrs, initiating devices, HVAC shutdwn devices and alarm ntificatin appliances. 2. Fire alarm intercnnect switches n kitchen hd extinguishing systems are als required t be tested annually. 3. Inspectin, testing and maintenance f batteries, smke detectrs (bth system-cnnected and batteryperated) and equipment used t transmit signals t a supervising statin are cvered later n in this guide. Nte: Depending n the size f yur building, the annual check f the fire alarm system can take anywhere frm a few hurs, a day, a week, r even lnger. If the prcess takes lnger than 4 hurs in a 24-hur perid, this ftentimes leads t questins abut whether the system shuld be cnsidered ut f service as far as applicatin f NFPA 101(12), Sec (i.e. evacuatin f building r implementatin f a fire watch). A fire alarm r fire/smke detectin system is typically nt cnsidered t be ut f service r impaired during scheduled and cntrlled events invlving testing f such systems (e.g. walk test r alarm bypass ) s lng as a prperly trained persn is present at the main fire alarm cntrl panel fr the full duratin f the test that can immediately restre the system t prper peratin n receipt f a signal at the panel frm an initiating device ther than the specific device being tested and the persn at the panel and the persn cnducting the actual testing are in cnstant cmmunicatin with each ther (e.g. via 2-way radi r cell phne). Under these circumstances, the persn at the panel and the persn cnducting the testing are, in effect, the fire watch. It must be nted, hwever, that this is a judgment call n the part f the AHJ. This methd f testing is supprted by an Annex nte t NFPA 72(10), Sec see NFPA 72(10), Sec. A : Fire alarm system testing can be cnducted using silent testing and the bypassing f emergency cntrl functins. All input signals shuld be verified accrding t the system matrix f peratin t ensure they create the apprpriate utputs. Tests f audible ntificatin appliances and emergency cntrl functins shuld be cnducted at the cnclusin f satisfactry tests f all inputs. The intent is t reduce the amunt f time spent causing audible and visible ccupant ntificatin during tests in an ccupied building. This reductin will help reduce the negative (cry wlf) impact n ccupants caused by excessive peratin f ntificatin appliances. System print-uts r histry lgs are an effective way f verifying the crrect receipt f signals. Hwever, many inputs such as ccupant ntificatin and emergency cntrl functins are tested fr crrect peratin, because lgs d nt necessarily verify peratin f the system utput. Operatin f audible and visible ntificatin appliances culd be accmplished in a lump sum fashin after all inputs are prven crrect by silent testing. All inputs tested in this manner must be prved t cause the apprpriate signal by verifying alarm receipt at the cntrls as each device is actuated. Manufacturer-specific prtcls such as walk test r

5 alarm bypass are an acceptable means f testing under this sectin. Other methds f mitigating the negative impact include ff-hurs tests when the building is nt ccupied. Page 5 f 8 As a reminder, it must be pinted ut that Annex A is nt part f the requirements f NFPA 72. It is included fr infrmatinal purpses and prvides guidance n the applicatin and intent f the standard, s it must be nted that hw and when this infrmatin might be used is a judgment call n the part f the AHJ. Lng term 1. Nnrestrable fixed-temperature, spt-type heat detectrs are required t be replaced after 15 years frm initial installatin [see NFPA 72(10), Table , Item 14.d.3]. As an alternate, 2 detectrs per 100 must be labratry tested (the tw detectrs must be replaced with new devices). If these detectrs fail when tested, additinal detectrs must be tested t determine if the prblem is a general r lcalized ne. If detectrs are tested instead f replaced, tests must be repeated at 5-year intervals. 2. Fr restrable fixed-temperature, spt-type heat detectrs, 2 r mre detectrs must be tested n each initiating circuit annually [see NFPA 72(10), Sec ]. Different detectrs must be tested each year, with recrds kept specifying which detectrs were tested. Within 5 years, each detectr must have been tested. Specific Requirements (cntinued) Batteries 1. Batteries serving as a secndary pwer supply fr fire alarm systems must be visually inspected at the fllwing intervals t verify that they are free f damage* [see NFPA 72(10), Table , Item 3]: a. Lead-acid and primary (Dry Cell) batteries mnthly b. Nickel-Cadmium and sealed lead-acid batteries semiannually (*Yu ll als want t: check electrlyte (fluid) levels and tightness f cnnectins; check fr crrsin r leakage; and, if necessary, clean the terminals.) 2. Batteries serving as a secndary pwer supply fr fire alarm systems must be tested semiannually, t include [see NFPA 72(10), Table , Item 6]: a. Lad vltage tests n lead-acid, Nickel-Cadmium and sealed lead-acid type batteries Mnthly lad vltage tests, cnducted in accrdance with NFPA 72(10), Table , Item 6(a), are required n primary (Dry Cell) batteries b. 30-minute discharge tests n lead-acid type batteries c. Testing f specific gravity n lead-acid type batteries 3. An annual discharge test Nickel-Cadmium and sealed lead-acid type batteries. 4. An annual charger test, cnducted in accrdance with NFPA 72(10), Table , Items 6(b)1, 6(c)1 and 6(d)1, is required fr lead-acid, Nickel-Cadmium and sealed lead-acid type batteries (this invlves the use f a vltmeter r ampere meter). Batteries must be replaced as needed, but typically last 3 years r mre. Sealed lead-acid type batteries, hwever, are required t be replaced every 4 years. Smke detectrs 1. Battery-perated smke alarms Sme facilities have had battery-perated smke alarms installed in sleeping rms t meet past federal certificatin requirements f the 2000 Life Safety Cde and/r 42 CFR Part (a)(7)(ii) requirements that apply t buildings that are either unsprinklered r nly partially sprinklered. Similar requirements

6 Page 6 f 8 appear in NFPA 101(12), Sectins and , but again, nly apply t buildings that are either unsprinklered r nly partially sprinklered. In sme cases, smke alarms have been installed vluntarily r as an alternate methd f meeting ther lcal, state and/r federal cde requirements. Hspitals are expected t have smke alarms in staff n-call rms t meet the requirements f NFPA 101(12), Sec Whatever the reasn fr their installatin, these smke alarms must be tested and maintained in accrdance with manufacturer s instructins (as mentined earlier in this guide, nnrequired alarms may be remved in lieu f being tested and maintained). This means that: Smke alarms must be tested n a weekly r mnthly basis as specified. Smke alarms must be cleaned mnthly in accrdance with manufacturer s instructins [NOTE: Sme manufacturers may recmmend less frequent cleaning intervals]. Batteries must be replaced annually r semiannually as specified by the manufacturer. Smke alarms must be sensitivity tested as required fr smke detectrs (see next page). 2. Hard-wired detectrs a. Hard-wired (including lw vltage) autmatic smke detectrs, including duct smke detectrs, must be visually inspected semiannually [see NFPA 72(10), Sec and Table , Items 9(b) and 9(h)]. As an alternate means f cmpliance, cmpnents and systems are allwed t be inspected under a perfrmance-based prgram, subject t the apprval f the AHJ see NFPA 72(10), Sec b. Hard-wired (including lw vltage) smke detectrs must be sensitivity tested in accrdance with NFPA 72(10), Sec Detectr sensitivity must be checked within 1 year after installatin and every ther year thereafter. Detectrs fund t have a sensitivity utside their listed and marked sensitivity range must be cleaned and recalibrated r be replaced. If, after the secnd test, detectrs are fund t have remained within their listed and marked sensitivity range (r 4 percent bscuratin light gray smke, if nt marked), the length f time between sensitivity tests may be extended t a maximum f 5 years. It must be nted, hwever, that if the frequency is extended, recrds f nuisance alarms and the trends f these alarms must be maintained. In znes r areas where nuisance alarms shw an increase ver the previus year, sensitivity tests must be perfrmed. c. Detectr (r smke alarm) sensitivity is nt allwed t be tested r measured using any device that administers an unmeasured cncentratin f smke r ther aersl int the detectr (r smke alarm). d. Smething t keep in mind abut detectr testing: Smke entry tests are required fr functinal and sensitivity testing f smke detectrs. Magnet tests d nt replace smke entry tests. Alarm transmissin equipment An intrductin NFPA 101(12), Sec / requires autmatic fire department ntificatin n activatin f the building fire alarm system. This is typically accmplished by cntracting with a cmpany r agency that prvides what s called a central supervising statin service. On receipt f a fire alarm signal frm yur facility, peratrs at the supervising statin turn arund and retransmit the signal t the lcal cmmunicatins center. In sme lcatins, the lcal cmmunicatins center will accept fire alarm signals directly (this is called remte supervising statin service). The means f cmmunicatin between yur facility and the supervising statin is required t be inspected and tested t ensure its reliability. The kind f testing required is based n the methd f cmmunicatin emplyed. NFPA 72 allws the use f a number f transmissin technlgies. The methd f cmmunicatin mst

7 Page 7 f 8 cmmnly emplyed at health care facilities is the Digital Alarm Cmmunicatr Transmitter (DACT) als called an autmatic dialer. Fr that reasn, this guide will nt address the ther transmissin technlgies except t say that: Infrmatin abut them can be fund in NFPA 72(10), Chapter 26, and Inspectin and test intervals fr ther transmissin technlgies are utlined in NFPA 72(10), Table , Item 15 and Table , Item 22. The DACT is a cmpnent at the facility that, upn receipt f a signal frm the fire alarm cntrl panel, seizes a cnnected telephne line, dials ne f tw pre-selected numbers t cnnect t the supervising statin and transmits the necessary alarm, truble r supervisry signal. One f the easiest ways t tell if yu have a DACT is t check the cmmunicatr t see hw many utging cnnectins it has a DACT requires tw paths fr transmitting fire alarm signal infrmatin. Nte: NFPA 72(10), Sec nly allws a DACT t be cnnected t a lp start telephne circuit and nt t a grund start telephne circuit. Such circuits emply cpper lines that allw the lcal phne cmpany t prvide back-up pwer in case f a failure f the public utility pwer. The use f fiber-ptic cable is, hwever, becming mre and mre cmmn. A DACT cannt use fiber-ptic cable and be cde-cmpliant in ther wrds, if yur facility s phne system emplys fiber-ptic cable nly, a different transmissin technlgy will need t be used t cmmunicate with the supervising statin. Fr mre infrmatin abut DACTs, see NFPA 72(10), Sec Inspectin and Testing DACTs are required t be visually inspected semiannually t verify that they are free f bvius damage and tested annually [see NFPA 72(10), Table , Item 15(a) and Table , Item 22]. DACT testing requirements are detailed in NFPA 72(10), Table , Item 18(b) and include: Testing fr line seizure capability Discnnect f the primary line frm the DACT t cnfirm a truble signal n-site and transmissin f a truble signal t the supervising statin within 4 minutes Discnnect f the secndary line (as abve) Simulatin f a fault in the primary telephne number Dcumentatin Requirements Almst as imprtant as cnducting required inspectins, testing and maintenance is dcumenting the fact that they ccurred. NFPA 72(10), Sec requires that a recrd be kept f all inspectins, testing and maintenance perfrmed n a fire alarm system. What fllws is a brief synpsis f sme f the majr dcumentatin requirements yu need t be aware f. Initial Installatin Recrds As mentined earlier, MSFC(15), Sec makes it unlawful t ccupy any prtin f a building until the required fire alarm and detectin system has been tested and apprved. Befre apprving and accepting a fire alarm system, the AHJ will want written prf that peratinal acceptance tests have been cmpleted. Infrmatin abut a recrd f cmpletin can be fund n page 2 f this guide. The installing cntractr is required, at a minimum, t prvide yu with the fllwing [see NFPA 72(10), Sec ; MSFC(15), Sec ]: 1. Name f installatin cntractr 2. Recrd f Cmpletin 3. Owner s manual and manufacturer s instructins cvering all system equipment. This shuld include: a. A detailed narrative descriptin f the system

8 Page 8 f 8 b. Operatr instructins fr basic system peratins c. A detailed descriptin f rutine maintenance and testing as required and recmmended, including: Listing f the individual system cmpnents that require peridic testing and maintenance Step-by-step instructins detailing the requisite testing and maintenance prcedures, and the intervals at which these prcedures need t be perfrmed, fr each type f device installed A testing and maintenance schedule d. Detailed trubleshting instructins e. A service directry that includes a list f the names and telephne numbers f thse wh prvide service fr the system 4. Recrd drawings Inventries In rder t ensure that all system cmpnents are inspected and tested as required, yu need t knw where they are and yu may be asked t prve that at time f survey. One way t d this is t have an inventry f all initiating devices (e.g. smke detectrs, heat detectrs, manual pull statins) and ntificatin appliances cnnected t the building fire alarm system. It is pssible that yu may be asked fr yur inventry at time f survey r a surveyr may pick ut a specific device and ask fr dcumentatin shwing when it was last tested. Semiannual/annual recrds Yu shuld have lgs n which t recrd the required semi-annual inspectins and the inspectin and testing f the system batteries. A sample annual inspectin and testing frm can be fund in NFPA 72 see NFPA 72(10), Figure An example f a filled ut inspectin and testing frm can be fund in Annex A see Figure A This frm used t be 4 pages in length, but nw cnsists f 11 pages. While sme fire alarm cmpanies simply phtcpy this sample fr use in dcumenting their annual visits, many thers will create their wn frms. That s kay as far as NFPA 72 is cncerned, s lng as all the applicable infrmatin requested in Figure is included in their frm. A wrd f cautin wuld be in rder here. Use f a frm that des nt include ALL f the infrmatin requested in Figure and/r failure t cmpletely fill ut all prtins f the frm (including marking nn-applicable prtins N/A in sme fashin) culd very likely result in the issuance f a fire alarm testing/maintenance deficiency at time f survey. Smke detectr sensitivity testing Sensitivity tests must be prperly dcumented t include detectr lcatin, the listed sensitivity range f the detectr, tested sensitivity range, pass/fail, date f test, and name f persn perfrming the testing. Battery-perated smke detectrs testing/maintenance Dcumentatin must be prvided t shw that battery-perated smke detectrs are being tested and maintained in accrdance with the manufacturer s instructins. This dcumentatin shuld include: A cpy f the manufacturer s instructins that accmpanied the detectrs at time f purchase, and A lg shwing the tests and maintenance perfrmed in accrdance with thse instructins. It is imprtant that at least tw peple in yur facility knw where yur recrds are kept t help ensure that they can be readily prvided when requested during an inspectin. MSFC(15), Sec requires that these recrds be maintained n the premises fr at least three years (lnger if smke detectr sensitivity testing is extended ut t 5-year intervals) and must be cpied fr the fire cde fficial upn request.