[dspiffy]

I've been tasked with performing our regular fire alarm test.

I've never done this before other than an initial test to determine/confirm that everything is working. For that I've used a can of aerosol smoke in front of individual sensors, however that seems like a bad idea to do on a regular basis.

Is there a standard routine for monthly/quarterly/annual testing? The Powers That Be would like monthly.

We have:

-a Notifier SGL-2000 2 zone panel
-2 zones, the lowest floor is (1) and the top 2 floors are (2)
-3 buzzers, one on each floor
-7 small sensors, one in each bathroom and one in the panel/mechanical room
-2 medium size sensors, one in each stairwell
-8 large sensors in hallways and common areas

When I started work in this building, the system was defunct. I replaced a bad sensor (small one in a bathroom) added a resistor were a sensor had been removed (there were originally two small sensors in the panel room) and tested it with smoke. I also cut power to the panel and tested the battery backup. Everything functions properly at the moment.

 

[B4T]

You really need to get a copy of NFPA 72 and read the 'testing and maintaining" requirements....

You will need to file reports with the FM and keep a set of records on site...

 

[Hack Work]

First three things I would do are:

A) Make sure my liability insurance covers me for this.
B) Get E&O insurance.
C) Find out exactly what that municipality requires.

 

[EBFD6]

I do a lot of fire alarm work and have no idea what a small, medium, or large sensor is.

We test devices based on manufacturer recommendations. Some want canned smoke. Some want magnets. Some have proprietary testers that need to be used.

 

[bobelectric]

I do a sub out for annuals. Load test batteries, note the install dates. Test all pull stations,smoke test all detectors. I won't heat test heat detectors,too risky for me.Then a fire drill.

 

[Deep Cover]

You seem like a nice enough guy, so it pains me a little to say this...stick to your ceiling fans.

 

[Awg-Dawg]

Is there a standard routine for monthly/quarterly/annual testing? The Powers That Be would like monthly.

Ive tested them quarterly.

If someone wants to pay you to test them monthly,

By all means test them monthly.

As small as the system seems, I would test all devices.

 

[dspiffy]

Small:



Medium:



Large:

 

[BBQ]

I've been tasked with performing our regular fire alarm test.

I've never done this before other than an initial test to determine/confirm that everything is working. For that I've used a can of aerosol smoke in front of individual sensors, however that seems like a bad idea to do on a regular basis.

Is there a standard routine for monthly/quarterly/annual testing? The Powers That Be would like monthly.

We have:

-a Notifier SGL-2000 2 zone panel
-2 zones, the lowest floor is (1) and the top 2 floors are (2)
-3 buzzers, one on each floor
-7 small sensors, one in each bathroom and one in the panel/mechanical room
-2 medium size sensors, one in each stairwell
-8 large sensors in hallways and common areas

When I started work in this building, the system was defunct. I replaced a bad sensor (small one in a bathroom) added a resistor were a sensor had been removed (there were originally two small sensors in the panel room) and tested it with smoke. I also cut power to the panel and tested the battery backup. Everything functions properly at the moment.

Are you quilified to do this in your area?


Anyway here is a form you can use.

http://www.marysvilleohio.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/140

 

[Rollie73]

Small:



Medium:



Large:

The size of the detectors isn't really a factor. You need to determine if they are heat detectors and which type......fixed temp or rate of rise, or smoke detectors and which type of smoke detectors they are.....ionization or photoelectric. Each has it's own testing requirement with Notifier equipment.

Follow Hackworks advice and make sure your insurance covers you and that you are licensed to test and certify life safety systems in your area. After that...contact a local Notifier rep and they can usually hook you up with all the fun stuff you need to test each device.

 

[B4T]

That heat detector seems awful close to the AC register... surprised the FM didn't red tag it... :blink::blink:

 

[dspiffy]

Are you quilified to do this in your area?


Anyway here is a form you can use.

http://www.marysvilleohio.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/140

The size of the detectors isn't really a factor. You need to determine if they are heat detectors and which type......fixed temp or rate of rise, or smoke detectors and which type of smoke detectors they are.....ionization or photoelectric. Each has it's own testing requirement with Notifier equipment.

Follow Hackworks advice and make sure your insurance covers you and that you are licensed to test and certify life safety systems in your area. After that...contact a local Notifier rep and they can usually hook you up with all the fun stuff you need to test each device.

Per my understanding, this is for our own internal purposes.

It appears that the panel was installed in 2002 but many if not all of the sensors are much older. Zone 1 was rewired either slightly before or after the new panel. If the sensors are much older, I'm wondering how much Notifier would still be able to help.

Looking at NFPA 72 and our local municipality's instructions, it appears that monthly test can consist of a visual inspection of the LEDs on the panel and on the sensors. A smoke test is only required annually, which was done within the past couple months.

Thank you BBQ for the form (and everyone else for their posts, of course)

 

[Rollie73]

Sounds like you should be just fine doing an "internal audit" of the system on a monthly basis. As part of that.....test a few detectors and the odd pull station......if nothing else, it will ensure the panel is working and your montoring company will be able to verify that they recieved the alarm signal.

 

[dspiffy]

Unless I havent spotted them in the 9 months or so I've been working on this building . . . we have no pull stations. I havent seen a one.

 

[RandyM]

Any sprinkler flow switches?

 

[dspiffy]

There are no sprinklers and the panel doesn't call out when there is an alarm.

 

[RandyM]

All the FA systems I have worked on go to central station. Call in b4 doing work on system. Yearly tests by central station.Fire Marshall inspection when installed or alterations done. Last one, everything new was checked, pulls, smokes, duct detectors, heat detectors and speaker strobes!

 

[LARMGUY]

There are no sprinklers and the panel doesn't call out when there is an alarm.

 

[dspiffy]

Fire marshall has been by, he had no issues with the system. He did tell someone "make sure you keep it tested" which, I believe, what prompted the request to me. I dont think we'll be seeing him until he makes his rounds again.

 

[LARMGUY]

We use these.

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/AboutTheCodes/72/99InspecTestForm.pdf