24 FIREWATCH! June 2 0 0 6

The Importance of Proper Inspection and Maintenance

of the Fire Alarm SystemBY RICK HEFFERNAN,

General Manager of SDi Fire

The fire alarm system is quite possi-bly the single most important

aspect of any building structure. Giventhe task of providing twenty-four hour aday protection for occupants, buildingsand their respective contents, fire alarmsystems are often overlooked until aproblem occurs. The requisite testingand inspection that must be conductedto ensure the continued operation ofthese systems is often seen as expensive,time-consuming and unnecessary.However, you can’t tell if a fire alarm sys-tem is operational by merely looking atit, or by performing a superficial check.Over time, the electronics and othercomponents that comprise any givensystem degrade due to environmentalfactors (i.e. dust & dirt) as well as inten-tional abuse and improper test andmaintenance actions. For such reasons,

it is necessary to implement and adhereto a thorough test and inspection main-tenance program for all fire alarm sys-tems in order to ensure continued pro-tection and peace of mind for the build-ing owner, knowing that he has fulfilledhis obligation to his tenants.

The First StepsMost fire alarm systems have a produc-tive lifespan within a range of 10 to 15years; however, these systems can lastmuch longer and continue to providedependable service when provided withproper maintenance and care. Any com-prehensive test and inspection programshould be based on a universally accept-ed standard by which to measure properfunctionality of a fire alarm system.Obviously, the instructions for a system’sinstallation, use and preventative main-

tenance, as put forth by the manufactur-er, should be stringently followed.Additionally, NFPA 72-2002 NationalFire Alarm Code is the benchmark forcorrect fire alarm system installation andoperation, and it has been adopted in alarge number of jurisdictions through-out the United States. In particular,Chapter 10 of NFPA 72 specifically cov-ers the testing, maintenance and inspec-tion of fire alarm systems. In Canada,ULC-S536-97, The Standard for theInspection and Testing of Fire AlarmSystems is what is generally followedand enforced.

In addition to having an understand-ing of the codes, the service personnelperforming the actual testing and main-tenance of fire alarm systems must alsobe familiar with the systems they aretesting, and ideally, be factory trained

and certified. Better still is certificationby the National Institute for Certifica-tion in Engineering Technologies(NICET) fire alarm technician certifica-tion program, which is nationally recog-nized, and becoming increasinglyrequired by more jurisdictions, as well asfire alarm system test and maintenancecompanies, as they continue a trendtoward professionalism within theindustry. Additionally, the test andinspection technician should utilize themost current technology and profession-al equipment available in order to thor-oughly check the fire alarm system forany deficiencies. This is one area whereshortcuts cannot be taken, as the conse-quences of a poorly maintained systemcan be devastating to the building, thebuilding owner and occupants alike.

Inspection of the SystemPrior to any actual testing being conducted on the fire alarm system, athorough inspection must be done.This may be done by visually looking forproblems that should be fairly obvious,such as missing or damaged devices,improper device locations and the use ofnon-rated components, and any defi-ciencies found should be documented.Any original drawings of the systemshould be reviewed in order to ascertainwhere all of the equipment is located.Other documentation, such as specifica-tions and any operational manualsshould also be located so that a compre-hensive analysis of the system may bemade before any actual testing is conducted.

A recent trend in documentation,which is becoming increasingly popularboth with Authorities HavingJurisdiction (AHJ) and customers alike,is the use of test and inspection software.This typically provides for less paper-work to sort through afterwards, andalso allows the testing company to keepa database of their own records that iseasily accessed in order to provide verifi-

cation of a service performed for a cus-tomer. Several software programs alsofeature signature capture capability, sothere is even further proof of testing andinspection of the fire alarm system,which many AHJs prefer over a hand-written paper form.

System TestingPrior to any test of a building’s fire alarmsystem, all occupants should be notified,in accordance with NFPA 72 section10.2.3.1. This ensures that everyone isaware of what is going on and the test-ing can be conducted that much moreefficiently. Typically, a two (2) -manteam performs testing of a system, withone technician remaining at the panel toreport what device or zone is activated.This allows for greater accuracy.Although with smaller systems, onetechnician may be sufficient.

While most system manufacturersrecommend an annual test and inspec-tion (after the initial acceptance test),other agencies and local authorities bothrecommend and even mandate testingintervals. NFPA 72, Chapter 10, whichspecifically deals with inspection, testingand maintenance, includes a table thatprovides the recommended testing inter-vals for the various components encom-passing a fire alarm system, including,but not limited to, batteries, generators,initiating devices and interface equip-ment. Section 10.4.3 provides frequencyrequirements for periodic testing of all fire alarm system components.Frequency of testing varies dependingupon the system component; howeverrecords must be kept to ensure that test-ing was done within the required frequency.

Among the first components to betested are usually the initiating devicesand alarm sensors, such as smoke detec-tors and heat detectors. These should betested in accordance with the manufac-turer’s requirements. When testingsmoke detectors, it is imperative to per-

form a functional test to ensure thatthere is actual smoke entry into the sensing chamber. It is certainly notenough to perform a “magnet test,” oran electrical stimulation of the detector.The synthetic aerosol smoke that is usedshould be approved by the manufactur-er as well as listed with an acceptedapproval house (UL, FM etc.). Ideallythis smoke should also be of a non-flam-mable formulation due to concern over the possibility that certain opera-tions/electronics within the detector andits base could cause ignition of a flammable aerosol test product.Additionally, care should be taken toavoid spraying directly into the sensingchamber, which can be a cause for detec-tor malfunction later on.

Heat detectors should be testedaccording to NFPA 72, Section10.4.3.4.1 (if of the restorative type)with at least 2 per circuit being testedannually, with all heat detectors beingtested at least once per five years. Non-restorable heat detectors are never testedin the field; however a representativesample must be tested and replaced afterfifteen (15) years. Whenever heat detec-tors are tested one should utilize aninstrument that produces heat safely(not using a live flame or otherwise).

When a sensitivity test is required ofa smoke detector (NFPA 72 Section10.4.3) there are several portable testdevices that are available and approvedby the major detector manufacturers.Detector sensitivity can and does drift.Over-sensitivity leads to false alarms,while under-sensitivity leads to latealarms or no alarms at all.

One often neglected area of systemtesting and inspection is duct detectors.Duct smoke detectors require tests toensure smoke entry into the sensingchamber in the device. Often, thesetypes of detectors are equipped with testswitches that test the circuitry of thedevice, but this should not be acceptedas a true functional, smoke-entry test.

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Additionally, after all system inputsand annunciators are tested, the testingactivities themselves must be coordinatedwith the system monitoring company orfire department in order to ensure propercommunication between the building’sfire alarm system and the monitoringcompany. Upon completion of the test-ing, the fire alarm system must be imme-diately restored, and building mainte-nance and supervisory personnel notified.

Maintenance andDocumentationUpon completion of system testing,there are often deficiencies that arefound. While these must be correctedimmediately, if possible, sometimes thiscannot be done right away. However, itis incumbent on the building owner toensure that the system is fully opera-tional within a reasonable period oftime. Most preventative maintenance isoften easy to perform. Depending onthe environment in which the equip-ment operates, it can consist of simplyblowing the smoke detectors out withcompressed air to more frequent and

intensive cleanings based upon location.In the end however, the technicianshould always follow the manufacturer’srecommendations in order to be com-pletely sure that proper maintenance isbeing performed.

Upon completion of system testingand maintenance, the servicing organi-zation must complete figure 10.6.2.3 ofNFPA 72 and leave it on site with thebuilding owner or his duly authorizedrepresentative. The AHJ may request acopy of all test, inspection and mainte-nance forms at any time. It is thereforeimperative that the required documenta-tion be kept available at all times. Inaddition, the owner must retain recordsof inspection, testing and maintenancefor the life of the system.

Final ThoughtsAs stated in the opening paragraph ofthis article, the fire alarm system is verylikely the single most important systemin any given commercial building. It iscalled upon to protect all that we con-sider valuable. Most times, it is neverthought of, or called upon at all. Yet, it

is all too often that we read of catastro-phes that were caused by an ineffectiveor inoperative fire alarm system. In fact,with proper care and maintenance,many of these catastrophes could havebeen averted. It is often the case thatwhen budgets are cut, among the firstareas to suffer are those which do notnormally first come to mind. However,it has become increasingly apparent overtime that such actions are both foolishand costly. The building owner is liablefor the protection of his occupants, andas such has the obligation to inspect testand maintain the fire alarm system(NFPA 72 Section 10.2.2.1). Mostimportantly, the simple fact is that firealarm systems save lives, and their prop-er operation should be of the highestpriority. v

Rick Heffernan is a former Federal Agentwith the U.S. Department of Justice. He iscurrently General Manager of SDi. LLCbased in Neptune, New Jersey rick.heffer-nan@sdifire.com

© 2006 Rich Heffernan, SDi LLC, Neptune, New Jersey.

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