Automatic Fire Alarm Association Webinar On Inspection, Testing, And Maintenance Of Fire Alarm Systems Your Presenter: Merton Bunker, PE
Inspections and tests are intended to reduce or limit: Loss of life Loss of property Inspections and Tests
Inspections and tests are required by NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Adopted by other codes Required by law Inspections and Tests
Approved Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) Code Listed Shall Should Definitions
Nothing in this Code shall prevent the use of systems, methods, devices, or appliances of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this Code. Equivalency
As an alternate means of compliance, subject to the authority having jurisdiction, components and systems shall be permitted to be inspected and tested under a performance-based program. Performance Based Testing
Inspection, testing, and maintenance programs shall satisfy the requirements of this Code and conform to the equipment manufacturer s published instructions. Inspection, testing, and maintenance programs shall verify correct operation of the system. Equivalency
NFPA 72 requires inspection, testing, and maintenance personnel to be qualified and experienced. Examples include, but are not limited to the following: (continued on next slides) Qualifications
Personnel who are factory trained and certified for the specific type and brand of system being serviced Examples of Qualifications
Personnel who are certified by a nationally recognized certification organization acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction Examples of Qualifications
Personnel who are registered, licensed, or certified by a state or local authority to perform service on systems addressed within the scope of this Code Examples of Qualifications
Personnel who are employed and qualified by an organization listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for the servicing of systems within the scope of this Code Examples of Qualifications
Who is responsible to ensure that inspections, tests, and maintenance are carried out? The property owner, or The system owner, or The building owner, or Their designated representative Delegations must be in writing Must provide a copy for the AHJ when requested Responsibilities
Record (as-built) drawings Calculations Operations and Maintenance (OM) Manual Sequence of Operations Matrix of Operation Record of Completion NFPA 72 Previous Inspection and Test Report Required Documentation
Documentation
Questions?
Inspections do NOT involve any physical operation of the system components. Inspection: To look at carefully;; examine critically. A checklist is recommended Inspections
Things We Look for During Inspections Broken or damaged equipment Improperly located equipment Incorrect strobe ratings Incorrect heat detector rating Incorrect device/appliance spacing Poor wiring methods Missing equipment Building changes that affect operation Equipment blocked by building furnishings or other equipment Inspections
Inspections
Inspections
Inspections
Inspections
Inspections
Initial/Acceptance Re-Acceptance Periodic Types of Inspections
Conducted when system is installed. Involve a 100% inspection Used to verify code compliance and functionality Initial/Acceptance Inspections
Conducted when the system changes Addition of new devices or equipment Deletion of devices or equipment Inspect changes to system Re-Acceptance Inspections
Conducted even if the system does not change. NFPA 72 contains frequencies of inspection in Table 14.3.1 Periodic Inspections
Questions?
Testing involves a physical manipulation of the component or equipment. Test: An examination or trial, as to prove the value or find out the nature of something. Use a checklist Use drawings Testing
Testing
Bulletin boards Signs E-mail Voice announcements Telephone calls Radios and pagers Text messages Occupant Notification
Occupant Notification
Fire Marshal/Chief/Engineer Building Inspector Wiring Inspector (Electrical) Representative of Owner/Occupant Representative of Insurance Carrier Supervising Station Notification of Testing
Record (as-built) drawings Operations and Maintenance (OM) Manual Sequence of Operations Matrix of Operation Record of Completion NFPA 72 Previous Test Report (if applicable) Required Documentation
Ladders Radios Smoke or listed aerosol per manufacturer s requirements Keys/special wrenches Hand tools Heat source NFPA 72 Manometer or Magnehelic Volt-Ohm Meter (VOM) Battery test meter Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter Stopwatch Highlighters, pencils, and clipboard Required Tools and Equipment
When testing, avoid occupant/owner disruption. Walk test (silent) Test during off-hours Simulate tests only where necessary Types of Tests
Initial/Acceptance Re-Acceptance Periodic Types of Tests
Conducted when system is installed. Involve a 100% test Used to verify code compliance and correct operation Initial/Acceptance Tests
Everything MUST be Tested 100% Initial/Acceptance Tests
Conducted when the system changes Addition of new devices or equipment Deletion of devices or equipment Changes in software programming Re-Acceptance Tests
Site Specific Software changes Test all known changes, plus a functional test of 10% of initiating devices (up to 50) Basic Input/Output Software (BIOS) or firmware changes Test 10% of entire system At least one device or appliance on each circuit Re-Acceptance Tests
Periodic tests are conducted even if the system does not change. NFPA 72 contains frequencies of testing in Table 14.4.5 Periodic Tests
Periodic Test Frequencies
NFPA 72 contains the methods of testing each component in Table 14.4.2.2 Test Methods
Control Units (monitored vs. unmonitored) Control functions Fuses Interfaced equipment Lamps & LED Primary/secondary power supply Tests 45
Test battery charger annually 30 minute battery discharge test annually Load voltage battery test semiannually Other testing depending on battery type Tests 46
Verify signal receipt by operating the public emergency alarm reporting system box. Tests 47
Verify correct operation and identification of all annunciator functions Tests 48
Metallic conductors are tested only prior to initial tests: Measure stray voltage Measure voltage to ground Measure resistance to ground Measure resistance between conductors Measure loop resistance Tests 49
Using a heat source, test 2 or more RESTORABLE detectors on each circuit annually Test different RESTORABLE detectors each year DO NOT use open flames Tests 50
DO NOT test NON- RESTORABLE detectors with heat Electrically test contacts annually Replace all detectors after 15 years or test statistical sample (2 per 100) Tests 51
Other non-restorable heat detectors Line type Rate-of-Rise/Fixed Temperature Tests 52
Smoke Detector Functional Test Ensure smoke entry into sensing chamber and response Use aerosol or real smoke acceptable to manufacturer Tests 53
Aerosol smoke may contain oils. Use short puffs Keep a reasonable distance Too Close!!! 54
Tests Testing smoke detectors with a magnet is NOT considered a functional test. Use magnets for pre-testing. NFPA 72 requires smoke entry! 55
Smoke detector sensitivity Tests Calibrated test method Manufacturer s calibrated sensitivity test instrument Listed control unit arranged for the purpose Smoke detector/control unit arrangement whereby the detector causes a signal at the control unit when its sensitivity is outside its listed sensitivity range Other methods approved by the AHJ Tests 56
Calibrated test methods Tests 57
Manufacturer s calibrated test instrument Tests 58
Smoke detectors that report to the system controls when outside their listed and marked sensitivity range Use printer or buffer to record sensitivity of each device Tests 59
Sensitivity tests are conducted within one year after installation and every alternate year. May be extended to 5 years Good records are essential!!! Tests 60
Duct smoke detectors require the same functional and sensitivity tests as area smoke detectors Test sampling tube pressure using a manometer Tests 61
A manometer or Magnehelic are required for testing pressure difference across sampling tubes per the manufacturer s instructions. Tests
Waterflow switches must actuate within 90 seconds of flow equal to the flow from a single sprinkler head The device must not respond to surges and varying pressure Tests 63
Operate manual fire alarm boxes using manufacturer s recommended methods It may be necessary to remove glass rods/plates Keys/wrenches are required Tests 64
Pressure Type Waterflow Switches Operate switch Used on dry-pipe, preaction and deluge systems May be used on wetpipe systems Tests 65
Water tank level Water tank temperature Tests 66
Off-normal within 2 revolutions or 1/5 the travel distance of the valve Restoration-tonormal only when valve is open Tests 67
Consult NFPA 20, Standard for Stationary Fire Pumps Diesel Pumps Running Controller in other than automatic Failure to start Engine functions Electric Pumps Running Loss of power Loss of phase Phase reversal Tests 68
Radiant energy fire detectors Tests 69
Bells Horns Speakers Lights Textual Displays Combination Tests 70
Source Tests Meter 5 feet above floor 71
Public Mode Signaling 15 dba above average ambient SPL, or 5 dba above the maximum SPL lasting a minute or more Measure 5 feet above the floor Test annually Private Mode Signaling 10 dba above average ambient SPL, or 5 dba above the maximum SPL lasting a minute or more Measure 5 feet above the floor Test annually Tests 72
Sleeping Areas 15 dba above average ambient SPL, or 5 dba above the maximum SPL lasting a minute or more, or 75 dba, whichever is greater Test with barriers (doors, curtains, etc.) in place. Measure at the pillow Tests 73
Initial audible system tests Measure for conformity with NFPA 72 Periodic audible system tests Measure where building, system, or occupancy changes have occurred Tests
Areas likely to require intelligibility tests Places of worship Atria Transportation centers Covered malls Sporting venues Large assembly Tests 75
Required for ECS Not required in all areas Designer must designate Acoustically Distinguishable Spaces (ADS) Score of 0.50 on STI scale is required Tests 76
Verify correct rating of visible notification appliances (strobes) during the inspection Verify visible appliances operate Test annually Tests 77
DACT Follow manufacturer s instructions Verify connection to 2 separate means of communication, per NFPA 72 Verify line seizure capability Test loss of communications means and verify trouble signal is transmitted to supervising station within 4 minutes Tests 78
Elevator recall and shutdown HVAC shutdown Stair pressurization Smoke door releasing Door unlocking devices Damper control Smoke evacuation Tests 79
Test end-to-end when possible. Test by operating or simulating alarm signals when necessary Test at the same frequency as the initiating device that causes the function to occur (most are annual) Tests 80
Test Frequencies
Test Frequencies
Test Frequencies
Test Frequencies
Systems must be returned to service after testing is completed. Notify AHJ when any system is down for more than 4 hours. Fire watches may be required Verbally notify owner in writing of ANY deficiencies and follow up in writing within 24 hours Impairments and Deficiencies
Follow manufacturer s requirements Environment may warrant more frequent maintenance Maintenance
Field repairs to boards and other equipment is generally not permitted by the manufacturer. Only factory repairs are permitted. Maintenance
Most manufacturer warranties extend to 12 months Warranties usually start on the day of acceptance Warranties may be extended by contract Warranty
Some jurisdictions require maintenance contracts Systems that are not properly maintained will usually suffer from early failures Service Contracts
Record of Completion (NFPA 72) New systems Changes to system Record of Inspection, Test, and Maintenance (NFPA 72) All inspections and tests Records
Other records As-built (record) drawings Operations and Maintenance (OM) manuals Site specific software Building permit Records
For software-based systems, a copy of the site-specific software shall be provided to the system owner or owner s designated representative. A copy of the site-specific software shall be stored on-site in non-volatile, non-erasable, non-rewritable memory. The system owner shall be responsible for maintaining these records for the life of the system for examination by any authority having jurisdiction. Paper or electronic media shall be permitted. Records
Documentation
The owner must retain drawings and Record of Completion for the life of the system All other records must be retained for one year after the next test Keep at the FACU or in a separate enclosure labeled FIRE ALARM DOCUMENTS Records
System defects and malfunctions shall be corrected. If a defect or malfunction is not corrected at the conclusion of system inspection, testing, or maintenance, the system owner or the owner s designated representative shall be informed of the impairment in writing within 24 hours. Impairments
Be careful to avoid pitfalls that can cause liability. Consequences
Questions?
Thank You. Merton Bunker, PE mwb@mertonbunker.com mertonbunker@aol.com Contact Information