Commissioning Smoke-Control Systems
-- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 1/1/2001
Commissioning and acceptance testing demonstrate that the final integrated system complies with the design and that any modifications were correctly and successfully incorporated, so that the result is a properly functioning system. The design engineer must be involved with the test-and-balance contractor, the mechanical contractor, electrical contractor, controls vendor and fire-alarm vendor. Each component must be verified for operation, including:
- Pressure differences. Differentials must be taken across every door and recorded.
- Shutdown of air systems and damper closure. This sequence must take place with the correct initiation.
- Restart. The system must restart automatically upon fire-alarm reset
Accessible openings in outside-air and return-air ducts must be installed so that actual automatic damper position can be observed. Relying on the damper-shaft indicating notch is an invitation to trouble. The owner's engineering staff and maintenance personnel must be instructed-not only in the operation but in the design intent of a facility so that an understanding of systems operation is achieved.
