NFPA 3
A Fire Alarm Contractors’ Perspective
Shane M. Clary, Ph.D.Bay Alarm CompanyAFAA Webinar Series November, 2011
Commissioning Basics
A process of documentation, adjustment, testing, verification and training, performed specifically to ensure that the finished facility operates in accordance with the owner’s documented project requirements and the construction documents.
It begins in pre-design and continues through design, construction and the life of the facility.
2
Commissioning Basics
Performance verification is demonstrated through inspection, testing and documentation of these activities.
3
Commissioning Basics
The ultimate goal of systems or building commissioning is to ensure that a facility meets the operational needs of building owners and provides for the continued efficient and effective operation of the building or systems throughout its intended service life.
4
What Commissioning is Not
Completing standard forms Contractors’ QA/QC program Verification of the contractors’ QA/QC
program Construction inspection Construction management
5
NFPA 3
1.1 Scope. This recommended practice provides the recommended procedures, methods, and documentation for commissioning and integrated testing of active and passive fire protection and life safety systems and their interconnections with other building systems.
6
NFPA 3
1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this recommended practice is to describe the commissioning process and integrated testing that will ensure fire protection and life safety systems perform in conformity with the design intent.
7
Key Definitions
Commissioning (Cx). A systematic process that provides documented confirmation that specific and interconnected fire and life safety systems function according to the intended design criteria set forth in the project documents and satisfy the owner’s operational needs, including compliance requirements of any applicable laws, regulations, codes and standards requiring fire and life safety systems.
8
Key Definitions
Integrated System. A combination of systems that are required to operate together as a whole to achieve the fire protection and life safety objectives.
9
Key Definitions
Integrated Testing. An assessment of fire protection and life safety systems function and operation using direct observation or other monitoring methods to verify the correct interaction and coordination of multiple systems in conformance with the fire protection and life safety objectives.
10
Construction Phase
1)Confirm that the commissioning schedule is still valid, and update if required2)Verify that submittals, including, but not limited to, working plans and product data sheets are in conformance with the BOD and have been reviewed3)Verify that materials, construction, and installation are in conformance with the BOD4)Confirm qualified specialists are performing commissioning activities per CP
13
Construction Phase
5) Coordinate and document fire protection and life safety commissioning team meetings and progress reports
6) Document any issues and changes to the project and update the CP
7) Complete Cx (QC) construction checklists8) Perform required observation procedures or cause them
to be performed by the responsible party9) Update related documents to record and adjust for any
revisions and/or changes10) Verify and document testing performed in the
construction phase
14
Construction Inspections
Pre-Installation or Preconstruction:1)Address any outstanding issues that are best resolved in this venue2)Verify coordination has taken place amongst trades.3)Identify and establish benchmarks to be met during the construction phase4)Verify submittals are in accordance with design intent documents and approvals and permits are secured
15
Construction Inspections
5) Confirm integrated testing requirements are being addressed
6) Develop test data records.7) Confirm compliance with sequence of operation.
16
Construction Inspections
Rough-In Phase:1)Inspect and verify delivered materials meet requirements2)Verify installation is proceeding in accordance with coordinated, approved shop drawings3)Complete periodic site visits to verify compliance with the owner’s commissioning plan4)Inspect installation as outlined in the commissioning plan
17
Construction Inspections
5) Perform testing as applicable6) Update owner project requirements and address any
outstanding issues7) Update commissioning plan as needed8) Issue rough-in phase commissioning progress report
18
Construction Inspections
Finish Phase:1)Inspect and verify delivered materials meet requirements2)Verify installation is proceeding in accordance with coordinated, approved shop drawings3)Complete periodic site visits to verify compliance with OPR4)Inspect installation as outlined in the commissioning plan
19
Construction Inspections
5) Perform testing as applicable (post concealment)6) Update owner project requirements (OPR) and address
any outstanding issues7) Update commissioning plan8) Issue finish phase commissioning progress report
20
Testing and Inspection
1)Verify installation is in accordance with coordinated, approved shop drawings2)Inspect overall installation as outlined in the commissioning plan3)Perform preliminary testing of all systems to provide proper functionality and to ensure interoperability4)Perform and document testing of all systems to provide proper functionality, to ensure integration, and to ensure the systems were left in a state of operational readiness
21
Testing and Inspection
5) Update owner project requirements and address any outstanding issues
6) Update commissioning plan/record7) Issue completion/acceptance phase commissioning
progress report8) Verify compliance and accuracy of sequence of operation
22
Testing and Inspection
Closeout Documents :1)Compiled list of all deficiencies and resolutions; and verify resolution achieved2)Operations and maintenance manuals3)Compile test results and certificate4)As-built drawings
23
Testing and Inspection
5) Warranty and extended warranties6) Spare parts list and supplier listings7) Re-commissioning plan (integrated testing)8) Sequence of operation
24
Integrated System Testing
Applies to the testing of integrated systems provided for fire protection or life safety.
25
Integrated System Testing
Test Method.Integrated testing should demonstrate that the final integrated system installation complies with the specific design objectives for the project and applicable codes and standards. Integrated testing of fire protection and life safety systems should verify the interconnections function properly.
26
Integrated System Testing
During integrated testing, equipment should be tested in accordance with the applicable installation standard to verify systems perform according to their design function.
27
Integrated System Testing
DocumentationThe ITA should maintain a record of faults, failures, and discrepancies discovered through the testing process in an official Issues Log.
28