AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT SIA PROCEDURES FOR ANNUAL TESTING OF BUILDINGS WITH STAIRWELL AND VESTIBULE PRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS Building stairwell and vestibule pressurization systems must be retested and recertified annually by an Austin Fire Department approved Special Inspection Agency (SIA). Note: As of 3/7/2016 these revised testing procedures are mandatory for use in recertification testing of all buildings constructed after 1996. Test the system components as indicated below: 1. Verify that the stairwell and vestibule pressurization systems operate automatically upon activation of one pull station, smoke detector, heat detector and fire sprinkler system water flow. This is a total of four devices in the building to verify system operation. Check previous year s test report and select activation devices in different locations each year. Building fire alarm system audible devices may be silenced during the testing. 2. Verify correct stairwell and vestibule pressurization system operation using the firefighter s smoke control panel. 3. Verify that the firefighter s smoke control panel is in acceptable condition. All status lights and control switches must function as intended. Document any modifications that have been made to the control panel. 4. Verify correct stairwell and vestibule pressurization system operation on emergency generator power. 5. Closed door test With the system operating and with no doors open, testing technician shall be inside the vestibule and shall measure and record the pressure difference from the vestibule to the stairwell and from the vestibule to the floor/corridor level. A minimum pressure difference of 0.05 inch w.g. is required across each closed door. Where there is insufficient relief between the vestibule and the floor/corridor, it is acceptable to combine the two pressure measurements but the total differential from the stairwell and across the vestibule to the floor/corridor must be a minimum of 0.10 inch w.g. Measure and record stairwell and vestibule door opening forces. Door opening forces cannot exceed 30 pounds. 6. Open door test Open the ground floor exterior stairwell door (if applicable). With the system operating and all remaining stairwell and vestibule doors closed, testing technician shall be inside the vestibule and shall measure and record the pressure difference from the vestibule to the stairwell and from the vestibule to the floor/corridor level. A minimum pressure difference of 0.05 inch w.g. is required across each closed door. Where there is insufficient relief between the vestibule and the floor/corridor, it is acceptable to combine the two pressure measurements but the total differential from the stairwell and across the vestibule to the floor/corridor must be a minimum of 0.10 inch w.g.
7. Verify that excess pressure relief device(s) and VFD control systems operate properly. 8. Inspect the condition of the belts on the pressurization fans. All belts must be replaced every five (5) years. 9. Inspect any control or barometric dampers for proper orientation and operating condition. 10. Unless doors are opened intentionally as part of the open door portion of the testing, stairwell and vestibule doors must latch in the closed position while the pressurization fans are operational. Record the locations of doors that do not meet this requirement. 11. Failure to meet any of the requirements listed above must be indicated as a failure point on the annual test report. 12. Within 10 days of the completion of recertification testing, submit a copy of the annual test report. You must use the Austin Fire Department standardized report format (see the attachment). Once the report has been reviewed and approved by our office, a copy of the test report must be submitted to the building owner and must remain on-site in the fire command room. Items 1 through 10 must be verified with all stair and vestibule pressurization fans in the building operating simultaneously. Buildings constructed prior to 1996 will most likely have different design features. Contact the Austin Fire Department Engineering Section at (512) 974-0160 with questions on the testing requirements. revised 3/4/2016
SPECIAL INSPECTION AGENCY ANNUAL STAIRWELL PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM TEST REPORT Date SUBMITTED TO Austin Fire Department Fire Marshal s Office 505 Barton Springs Road, Suite 200 Austin, TX 78704
CERTIFICATION PAGE Certified By: Name AABB or NEBB number: Certification Expiration date: Provide seal here Date:
Report Summary What year was the building constructed? If you don t know, email us and ask. We will research the date of construction, the building code was enforced at the time and what the smoke control requirements were. How many floor levels and stair towers does the building have? Does the building have stair vestibules? Is there a relief vent at the top of each stair tower? Provide a general description of the building (e.g., 10 floors of open parking garage with 10 floors of office occupancies above garage level 10). Are VFD fans provided? Note any problems that you encountered. Is a follow up test or inspection by us required? Is there anything we need to know about? If you see something that is not correct, email us or call us to discuss it.
INSTRUMENT CALIBRATION REPORT Manufacturer Model Serial # Instrument Type Calibration Date
ANNUAL STAIRWELL PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM TEST REPORT SUMMARY Function Pass Fail Comments System operates from one pull, one heat detector, one smoke detector and one water flow switch (4 devices total) Firefighter s smoke control panel operates properly Firefighter s smoke control panel is in acceptable condition. All status lights and switches function as intended System operates on emergency power Pressure difference from stair to vestibule to floor/corridor is 0.10 w.g. minimum With open ground floor exterior stairwell door pressure difference from stair to vestibule to floor/corridor is 0.10 w.g. Excess pressure relief device(s) and/or VFD pressure controls operate properly All fans, belts and control dampers inspected for proper operation and condition (belts replaced every 5 years) Control dampers/barometric dampers have proper orientation and are in good operating condition Doors latch properly and can be opened by a force of not greater than 30 lbs.
ANNUAL STAIRWELL PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM TEST REPORT Technician: Test Date: Stairwell ID: Floor Vestibule to ID Stair pressure (inch w.g.) CLOSED DOOR TEST Vestibule to Floor/corridor pressure (inch w.g.) Total Pressure from Stair to Floor/corridor (inch w.g.) Stair door pull (lbs.) Vestibule door pull (lbs.)
ANNUAL STAIRWELL PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM TEST REPORT Technician: Test Date: Stairwell ID: Floor Vestibule to Stair ID pressure (inch w.g.) OPEN GROUND FLOOR STAIR DOOR TEST Vestibule to Floor/corridor pressure (inch w.g.) Total Pressure from Stair to Floor/corridor (inch w.g.)
ANNUAL STAIRWELL PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM TEST REPORT Technician: Test Date: System Activation Verification Indicate Specific Location and Fire Alarm System ID of each device Floor ID Manual pull Heat detector Smoke detector Fire sprinkler water flow