A New York sprinkler testing technician recently told me he has encountered Fire Alarm (FA) technicians testing waterflow alarm switches mechanically or electrically, and not using the Test & Inspection (T&I) valve provided for this purpose. New York requires that the FA contractor and Sprinkler System (SS) contractor both be present for the initial fire alarm system testing, so providing only a mechanical or electrical test of this switch would not be acceptable.
It might surprise you to learn that the requirements for testing fire alarm initiating devices connected to sprinkler systems are found in NFPA 72, not NFPA 13. NFPA 72, the ICC Building and the ICC fire codes, and the Life Safety Code all clearly state that the ongoing testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems is the responsibility of the building/system owner. Since the building owner is responsible for all testing and maintenance, by contracting a FA tech to test signal receipt, handling and signal re-transmission and by also contracting a SS tech to make sure the pipes are unblocked, hold water under pressure, and to test the valves, attachments and pipes for corrosion and proper operation by ‘flowing water’ — the building owner will have satisfied his responsibilities for sprinkler and fire alarm testing for that device.
How to Test Waterflow Devices
If no one is flowing water during the semi-annual sprinkler waterflow alarm switch test, the fire alarm test/inspection requirements are not being met. Currently, and since at least the 2007 edition of NFPA 72, the method describing the proper way to test waterflow devices has not changed. Unless otherwise agreed on in a documented Test Plan, the fire alarm technician contracted to test the sprinkler waterflow alarm switch must flow water to cause an alarm signal, as described by NFPA 72:
“Water shall be flowed through an inspector’s test connection indicating the flow of water equal to that from a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system for wet-pipe systems, or an alarm test bypass connection for dry-pipe, pre-action, or deluge systems in accordance with NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.”
Changing Responsibilities
A big philosophical change occurred in the 2013 edition of the “National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code” regarding system testing responsibilities — specifically this was to limit our testing responsibility to only the switching function of specific equipment we have connected under the fire safety control function rules of NFPA 72.
It began in the 2010 edition of NFPA 72, when it stated we “should” have a written test plan. Then, the 2013 edition made it mandatory in section 14.2.10 by requiring a written test plan. This documentation must be created for each commercial fire alarm system to “clearly establish the scope of the testing for the fire alarm or signaling system.”
When your fire/building code adopts the 2013 edition of NFPA 72, these responsibilities must be spelled out in advance and stored on site with the rest of the required fire alarm documentation. So everyone will know what to do, it requires that the test plan be kept with the regular test and inspection records for that system.
Cover Yourself
The short of it is, fire alarm system companies should never say, or put in print, that they are testing the “sprinkler system” — or “elevator recall” or “fire doors,” etc. — because they are actually only verifying the FA system’s input and output signals — not the performance of other systems. When incorrectly stating you “tested the sprinkler system” you inadvertently cause blowback from local inspectors who (mistakenly) think fire alarm technicians should also be sprinkler licensed.
Continue this concept with all systems, including smoke dampers/elevators, and do not state or imply you are “testing the smoke dampers” or “elevators.” Your job is to verify the proper fire alarm relay operation intended to activate the damper-closing mechanism. There is to be a distinguishable separation of systems. Equipment connected to a fire alarm system relay is not (or no longer) within the scope of the fire alarm techs’ responsibility.
Sprinkler waterflow switches are tested by flowing water, as prescribed by NFPA 72 (pick-a year); however, the flow-testing of kitchen hood and similar suppression systems is not required by NFPA 72. Systems that have a limited amount of extinguishing agent stored in a container (i.e. dry chemical, carbon dioxide and other “clean agent” systems) are not required to be tested by discharging these suppression systems. These systems are tested annually by operating the switch mechanically or electrically and verifying the proper receipt of, and response to, the signal at the fire alarm control unit.
Finally, and I cannot stress this enough — work with your attorney to create a document that you can provide to each commercial fire alarm account you provide testing for that clearly spells out when and how the inputs and outputs of the fire alarm system components are to be verified (see NFPA 72, Ch. 14). In this document, clearly state: “the operational performance of any connected systems or equipment, installed, programmed, located, specified, etc., by other trades, are not part of the fire alarm system, and are not included with your T&I contractual duties. See attached Test Plan.”
Greg Kessinger is SD&I’s fire alarm and codes expert and a regular contributor. Email him your fire & life safety questions at [email protected].
