Commissioning Testing 

 

Commissioning tests should be carried out depending on the ASD system application and only when the building is in its normal, intended running state. Appropriate commissioning tests should also be performed after modifications and/or additions to the ASD system.

 

 

Commissioning

 

There are several stages during the commissioning process, which should be carried out, recorded and checked as necessary:

  • Inspection of Installation – Verify conformity to design, definition of system (see section 5) including mechanical & electrical installation.
  • Power up/Configuration– Required checks and configuration
  • Commissioning Tests – To include mechanical, functional and performance testing.
  • Signaling - To verify the connections between ASD and other connected systems (e.g. CIE, BMS).
  • System Handover – Including relevant documentation and recorded drawings.
  

Inspection of installation

 

It is necessary to inspect the installation to confirm that it has been designed and installed correctly for the application and conforms to the design documentation. In particular;

  • When using ASD for high and enhanced sensitivity (Class A/B) - ensure that the installation conforms to the design specification (e.g. it may be necessary to measure the air velocities in the protected area to ensure that the design spacing is appropriate. (See section 8)
  • When using ASD as a primary sampling system, ensure the pipe and sample points are installed correctly onto the Air Handling Unit (AHU) within the airflow. If monitoring more than one AHU, it is important to ensure different running speeds do not cause an unbalanced airflow in the pipe, which may affect ASD performance
  • When using ASD to replace point type detectors (Class C) – ensure the installation (particularly sample point spacing) conforms to the relevant Standard (e.g. BS 5839-1: 2008) and the ASD sensitivity/alarm thresholds are correctly set to ensure that the sensitivity of individual holes meet the minimum performance requirements for individual points. This may require reference to the approval compliance notes for the particular ASD system and should also take into account any potential automatic adjustments of the sensitivity/threshold settings, which may occur after commissioning
  • When using ASD for other Installations (Cabinet, duct work or other specialist protection) – confirm that the ASD system is in accordance with the design

A thorough inspection of the mechanical and electrical installation should also be carried out to include:

  • Pipe network including correct supports.
  • Clear identification of sampling points.
  • No obstructions to sampling points/remote capillaries.
  • All internal & external electrical wiring has been installed correctly.
  • Power supplies are correctly sized and provide the correct emergency battery standby period.

  • Correct hole positions and sizes.

    Before the ASD is powered, it is very important to check that the installer has cleared the pipe of any foreign articles e.g. swarf, dust etc that will impede or stop the ASD performance. (see clause 13.5)

 

 

Power up/configuration

 

It is very important that the ASD manufacturer’s technical documentation is followed during system set-up. If there is any doubt refer back to the manufacturer for clarification.

The system should be powered up in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Prior to carrying out any functional and performance tests the ASD equipment should be configured for:

  • Fire signal alarm thresholds and detector sensitivity settings to give required sampling point sensitivity.
  • Alarm and Fault delay periods.
  • Airflow parameters.
  • Any other defined parameters.
 

Commissioning tests

 

Before these tests are carried out, ensure that the room or area being protected is in its operational state – both in terms of airflows and cleanliness. For example, any air handling units should be running, all floor and ceiling tiles should be installed and any equipment producing a heat load should be in its normal operational mode.

For ASD systems that are designed to confirm to prescribed Standards, commissioning tests should include but are not limited to: -
  • Maximum smoke transport time from last sampling hole in system.
  • Fault detection, including blockage & rupture of the pipe.
  • Tests to confirm that sampling points are functioning.
    For ASD systems that are designed to confirm to a performance requirement additional performance tests should be performed.
 
 

 

Transport time measurement
 
  • Maximum transport time is measured by introducing a small quantity of smoke or aerosol into the furthest sample hole and measuring the time between first introducing the smoke and observing a “reaction” at the detector. Depending on the ASD devise used, the “reaction” is usually a first response of a bargraph but may also be the first indication of an alarm. However, where an alarm indication is used it does not generally include any alarm delays, which are temporary set to zero for the measurement of transport time.

    Where there are multiple branches or pipes it is essential that each branch is tested individually to confirm the full integrity of the pipe-work.

The maximum transport time shall be less than the maximum time specified within the design documentation (Appendix H2) and shall be less than the maximum limits specified in clause 9.3.3.Where specific transport time predictions are provided with the design of the particular installation, they may be compared with the measured transport time to verify that the installation in accordance with the design. Such comparisons should take account of the expected accuracy of the predictions – generally +/-10% unless otherwise stated.All measurement should be recorded for later reference during maintenance. Where possible, measured transport time should be compared to the predicted design transport time.Note: the transport time from a maintenance test point (which is closed during normal operation) should be recorded but may exceed the maximum transport time as long as the transport time from the furthest sampling hole is confirmed to be less than the maximum specified. 

 

Fault Detection


To ensure continuous integrity of the pipe-work it is recommended that each pipe entering the ASD unit is first blocked and then ruptured (i.e. opened) to ensure that low and high flow faults are reported.

It may be required that blockage of sampling holes is identified, for example, due to high probability of malicious tampering, and appropriate tests should confirm this.

It is recommended that, where possible, flow readings are recorded during commissioning for later reference during maintenance.

Note: A 20% reduction in volumetric flow (EN 54-20) is considered an appropriate fault condition. It is generally the case that sampling holes do not block individually but all become contaminated at similar rates. In this case, regular maintenance, including inspection/cleaning of sampling holes and monitoring for changes in pipe flow rate between visits is sufficient to ensure the integrity of the ASD system.

Any faults with the power supply should be detected and signaled appropriately. As a minimum it is recommended that first the battery and then the mains supply are disconnected to verify that a PSU fault is reported.

All ASD systems monitor for internal faults and many include a fault test feature to simulate an internal failure. Where this feature is provided it should be used to verify that internal faults are reported. Alternatively disconnection of an internal lead may be used to simulate internal failure after consultation with the manufacturer.

 

Functional tests
 

Commissioning must include sufficient testing to verify that sampling holes are fully functional. The functional tests described in clause 15.2.2 provide guidance on how this should be done. However, careful inspection/validation of the sampling holes to confirm that they are correctly drilled and comparison of measured transport times to predicted transport times is often considered sufficient validation – particularly where performance tests are also specified.

The actual current drawn from the power supply should be measured and recorded to ensure that the designed standby period can be achieved.
 

Performance tests
 

Where performance based tests are required (clause 5.3) they should be conducted in accordance with the design requirements. In many cases a smoke performance test from this Code of Practice will be specified.

All necessary permissions to perform the tests shall be established and recorded and it recommended that videos of tests are shown to those granting permission so that the scale of smoke and heat are properly appreciated. This is particularly relevant for the larger tests.

Note: attention is drawn to the hazard warnings in the Foreword.
Results from the test; particularly details of the test positions, should be recorded so that

they can be repeated during maintenance when necessary.

 

Signaling

 

All signaling between the ASD system and house fire alarm system/CIE should be verified in accordance with the design. In particular the signalling and response to each alarm level and fault conditions should be checked and verified.

Where an ASD system provides local disablement or isolation it should be verified that this condition is signalled to the house fire alarm/CIE

Any “cause and effect” requirements – particularly in relation to the integration with automatic suppression systems should be verified.
 

System handover

 

During the commissioning all results shall be recorded. These along with all configuration data shall be submitted as part of the commissioning certificate.

All relevant drawings shall be submitted to include the pipe layout, hole sizes, sampling point positions and detector locations, and shall be deemed part of the system handover.

All the collated documentation along with a signed certificate should be issued to the customer.

 

 

 

 

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