Consulting-Specifying Engineer - July 2008 - (Page 62)

Equipment Lifecycles Once programming is completed and pre-testing accomplished, the AHJ will commission the system for acceptance. This commissioning is helpful in several respects, but especially when identifying installation discrepancies and validation of the sequence of operations. (The term “a fresh pair of eyes helps a lot” applies here once installers and programmers look at the system for a substantial period of time; this is a chance to identify and resolve something that could get overlooked.) Periodic maintenance Once the building is commissioned and occupied, the fire alarm system should be retested every 12 months. Part of this test will include recording the contamination levels of each smoke detector installed on the system. Most intelligent fire alarm panels provide this information through the password-protected maintenance screen and also will display the contamination levels of each smoke detector on the fire alarm system by device address. The contamination levels should be compared to the manufacturer’s operation and maintenance standards to determine acceptable contamination levels prior to nuisance alarms. The retesting contractor should then clean the deficient detectors. Most fire alarm systems normally take 24 to 48 hours to reset sensitivity levels After that time, the detectors should be checked again through the fire alarm panel’s maintenance screen to validate that the cleaning of the detectors was successful in reducing the contamination levels. After this, deficient detectors will be removed from service, and cleaned detectors will have an increased lifespan. The lifecycle of ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors include several factors that should be considered for the best safety function performance and lifespan. Fuel loads, fire scenarios, and related egress paths that should be the first consideration. Subsequently, environmental issues such as altitude, temperature range, humidity, and air contamination should be taken into account. Proper installation techniques should then be followed in reference to proper electrical separation, distance from air diffusers, and proper timing for smoke detector installation. The setup and commissioning of the fire alarm system and the periodic testing and maintenance of the ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors complete the process of keeping detectors functioning properly, active when needed, and silent when not. Sevast is a consultant for Rolf Jensen & Assocs. Inc., a fire protection and life safety subsidiary of the RJA Group. He has more than 16 years of experience in the fire protection industry, is a professional affiliated with the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), and has a Level IV Certification in Fire Alarm Systems. Input #228 at csemag.com/quickResponse http://csemag.com/quickResponse http://www.cmcousa.com http://www.cmcousa.com http://www.cmcousa.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer - July 2008

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - July 2008 Contents Viewpoint Letters News M/E Roundtable 40 Under 40 Using Demand-Based Reset Strategies VFDs and Motors: Making the Right Match Grounding and Bonding Practices for Hazardous Areas Codes & Standards Case Study New Products Equipment Lifecycles Advertiser Index Green Space

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - July 2008

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