FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS
There is a big move in the fire industry for upgrading knowledge of the requirement of documentation that should be presented on completion of every fire detection or gas suppression installation.
By the insurers, consultants and fire departments understanding the documentation requirements will lead to upliftment of standards in the industry as contractors are forced to supply the correct documentation.
The standards indicate the following:
SANS 10139:2012
Edition 3.2
11.2 Documentation
CERTIFICATES for design, installation and commissioning of the system.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL for the system to include:
- the equipment provided and its configuration including the background RF noise level and achieved signal strengths for radio-based equipment
- use of all controls;
- recommendations for investigation of a fire alarm, false alarm or fault signal
- routine weekly and monthly testing of the system by the user or his/her appointed agent
- service and maintenance of the system;
- avoidance of false alarms;
- the need to keep a clear space around all fire detectors and manual call points;
- the need to avoid contamination of detectors during contractors' activities;
- the importance of ensuring that changes to the building, such as relocation of partitions, do not affect the standard of protection;
DRAWINGS indicating the positions of all control, indicating and power supply equipment, l manual call points, fire detectors and fire alarm devices short circuit isolators etc and the type, sizes and actual routes of cables.
LOG BOOK in which all events, including fire alarm signals, faults signals, system tests and maintenance visits, can be
VARIATIONS A record of any agreed variations from the original design specification.
OTHER RECORDS
The FSIB requires further information to be included into the documentation:
- Category of system (if not on design certificate)
- Battery calculations to ensure the system will continue to operate for 24hrs under mains power fail conditions.
- Device print out (addressable systems only)
- Block plan mounted adjacent to the fire panel indicating detection zones. (Also, in SANS 10139)
GAS SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
In addition to the above the following documentation should be provided for all gas suppression systems installations.
The standards require:
SANS 14520-1:2008
Annex A
Working documents shall include the following items:
- DRAWINGS, to an indicated scale of extinguishant distribution system, including containers, location of containers, piping and nozzles, valves and pressure-reducing devices (if fitted) and pipe hanger spacing;
- LOCATION of building (and room) in which hazard is located;
- CONSTRUCTION of protected enclosure walls and partitions;
- SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM showing enclosure cross-section, full height or, including raised access floor and suspended ceiling;
- EXTINGUISHANT - type of extinguishant being used;
- CONCENTRATIONS - extinguishing or inerting concentration, design concentration and maximum concentration;
- OCCUPANCY - description of occupancies and hazards to be protected against;
- CONTAINERS - specification of containers used, including capacity, storage pressure and mass including extinguishant;
- NOZZLES - description of nozzle(s) used, including inlet size, orifice port configuration, and orifice size/code and orifice size of pressure-reducing devices, if applicable;
- PIPES - description of pipes, valves and fittings used, including material specifications, grade and pressure rating;
- EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE or bill of materials for each piece of equipment or device, showing device name, manufacturer, model or part number, quantity and description;
- ISOMETRIC DRAWING - view of extinguishant distribution system, showing the length and diameter of each pipe segment and node reference numbers relating to the flow calculations;
- ENCLOSURE - pressurization and venting calculations;
- HYDRAULIC DESIGN – Manufacturer design showing the calculation of pipe sizes and routes.
OTHER RECORDS
The FSIB requires further information to be included into the documentation
- ROOM INTEGRITY test report
- MANIFOLD Pressure test certificate
By demanding this information will ensure the contractor/ designer is confident on what is installed and lead to general upliftment of the industry.