Every fire alarm system must be 100% ac- ceptance tested. How else will you know it “works”?
After a fire alarm system is first installed, A Record of Completion, found in NFPA 72, Chapter 10, must be completed for each system installed. (Multiple station 120 VAC smoke alarms are not considered a system). This form
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The area of acceptance testing is where insur- ance and fire service professionals can have the greatest impact on the mission effectiveness of the installed fire alarm system. Because the insurance and fire service professional cannot possibly stay abreast of the continuous changes in fire alarm system technology, they should always ask for the Record of Completion, a com- plete operational description of the fire alarm system, and, in the case of a central station sys- tem, a copy of the UL certificate or the FMRC placard prior to scheduling an initial acceptance test. By reviewing these documents, the ac- ceptance test protocol or plan can be developed before the acceptance test is conducted.
The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Chapter 14 requires “as-built” or “record” drawings. These drawings consist of a plan of the building showing the exact location of all de- vices and appliances, lines drawn from device to device and appliance to appliance showing how the fire alarm contractor actually installed the wiring, with indications on these lines showing the number of conductors, circuit identification, and location of all junction boxes. The insurance or fire service professional must demand to see these drawings prior to beginning the accep- tance test.
Insurance and fire service professionals should require that the installer pre-acceptance test each fire alarm system and submit the Record of Completion prior to calling for the formal ac- ceptance test. After all tests have been completed and all documentation of testing and system information has been submitted, the insurance and fire service professional can witness the final inspection acceptance test.
Chapter 14 of the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code also details the initial accep- tance tests, the reacceptance tests, the visual inspection, the periodic tests and the routine maintenance of the detectors and all other fire alarm system components. When witnessing the acceptance testing of a system, the insurance and
fire service professionals should require the fire alarm contractor to complete a test report simi- lar to the one shown in Chapter 14 of NFPA 72. Upon completion of the installation, a visual in- spection and a functional acceptance test of the system will identify any part that is not working properly.
If the insurance or fire service professional witness a periodic test of an installed fire alarm system, they should review the records of previ- ous tests and compare them with the current test results to be sure that all parts of the system continue to function properly. Periodic inspec- tions and functional test throughout the life of the fire alarm system help determine if any part of the system as failed.
Although fire alarm systems have power sup- plies and the means of interconnecting the com- ponents “monitored for integrity,” the advent of solid state electronic components in these systems has introduced numerous unsupervised components and junctions that can fail without notifications of the failure. Such a failure can im- pair part or all of the system without any appar- ent change in the status of the system. Testing therefore is integral to maintaining a high level of mission effectiveness.
Inspectors should be familiar with the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code so that during the inspection they can determine if the installer has selected the appropriate alarm initiating devices and notification appliances, and installed them in accordance with the requirements of the code.
It is recommended that the test of the entire fire alarm system be conducted as follows:
1. Test the fire alarm system control unit to verify that it is in the normal supervisory condition as detailed in the manufacturer’s instruction manual.
2. Test each initiating device circuit and notifi- cation appliance circuit to confirm that the system control unit is monitoring the integ-
rity of the installation conductors. Sequen- tially open, ground and short the connection at enough initiating devices and notification appliances to assure a thorough test.
3. Test each initiating device and notifica- tion appliance for operation and for proper response at the system control unit. Test all functions, including all supplementary func- tions, in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual and NFPA 72, Chapter 14.
4. Test the primary (main) power supply and secondary (standby) power supply.
5. Test all functions of the fire alarm control unit as described in the system operational description.
If any additions or other changes are made to the fire alarm system, the inspector should witness a re-acceptance test on all affected portions. Con- sult with NFPA 72, Chapter 14, for the scope of such a reacceptance test. This will help assure the continued integrity of the fire alarm system.