Commissioning of Fire Protection and Life Commissioning of Fire Protection and Life Safety SystemsSafety Systems

Presented by: Charles KilfoilBechtel NationalWaste Treatment PlantRichland WA

Fire Protection Engineering’s role in Fire Protection Engineering’s role in sustainability through Commissioningsustainability through Commissioning

Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems are Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems are recognized as part of whole building systems.recognized as part of whole building systems.

Sustainability is advanced through Sustainability is advanced through Commissioning as it pertains to Fire Protection Commissioning as it pertains to Fire Protection

and Life Safety Systems.and Life Safety Systems.

Active and Passive Systems are included in this Active and Passive Systems are included in this scope.scope.

What is Commissioning?What is Commissioning? Commissioning (Cx).Commissioning (Cx).

A systematic process that provides documented confirmation A systematic process that provides documented confirmation that specific and interconnected fire and life safety systems that specific and interconnected fire and life safety systems function according to the intended design criteria set forth in the function according to the intended design criteria set forth in the project documents and satisfy the owner’s operational needs, project documents and satisfy the owner’s operational needs, including compliance requirements of any applicable laws, including compliance requirements of any applicable laws, regulations, codes, and standards requiring fire and life safety regulations, codes, and standards requiring fire and life safety systems. systems.

Commissioning is initiated in the design phase by documenting Commissioning is initiated in the design phase by documenting the design intent and continues throughout construction, the design intent and continues throughout construction, acceptance, and the occupancy period. acceptance, and the occupancy period.

Fundamental to Commissioning is Integrated Testing.Fundamental to Commissioning is Integrated Testing.

What is Commissioning?What is Commissioning? Commissioning does not modify or supplant existing Commissioning does not modify or supplant existing

standard requirements for testing, rather its intended to standard requirements for testing, rather its intended to complement these requirements by stressing integrated complement these requirements by stressing integrated testing to ensure reliable functionalitytesting to ensure reliable functionality . .

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code -SIG-NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code -SIG-TMS forms and requirements. TMS forms and requirements.

NFPA 25 ITM Water-Based Fire Protection Systems - NFPA 25 ITM Water-Based Fire Protection Systems - forms and requirements.forms and requirements.

Other NFPA Extinguishing System Standards - forms Other NFPA Extinguishing System Standards - forms and requirements.and requirements.

HVAC HVAC Building ManagementBuilding Management

What is Integrated Testing?What is Integrated Testing?

An assessment of fire protection and life An assessment of fire protection and life safety systems function and operation safety systems function and operation using direct observation or other using direct observation or other monitoring methods to verify the correct monitoring methods to verify the correct interaction and coordination of multiple interaction and coordination of multiple integrated systems in conformance with integrated systems in conformance with the fire protection and life safety the fire protection and life safety objectives. objectives.

Integrated SystemsIntegrated Systems

Commissioning applies to the functions of Commissioning applies to the functions of integrated systems, provided for fire integrated systems, provided for fire protection or life safety, in the design protection or life safety, in the design phase, construction phase and occupancy phase, construction phase and occupancy phase of the commissioning process.phase of the commissioning process.

Owner’s Project Requirements Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)(OPR)

The OPR should form the basis from The OPR should form the basis from which all design, construction, acceptance which all design, construction, acceptance and operational decisions are made.and operational decisions are made.

The OPR should be developed with input The OPR should be developed with input from the Owner and all key facility users from the Owner and all key facility users and operators.and operators.

The development of the OPR begins with The development of the OPR begins with appointment of a Cx Team.appointment of a Cx Team.

Cx Team Cx Team (1)(1) OwnerOwner(2)(2) Commissioning AuthorityCommissioning Authority(3)(3) Fire Commissioning Agent (FCxA)Fire Commissioning Agent (FCxA)(4)(4) Installation Contractor(s)Installation Contractor(s)(5)(5) Manufacturer’s RepresentativesManufacturer’s Representatives(6)(6) Registered Design Professional(s)Registered Design Professional(s)(7)(7) Construction Manager/General ContractorConstruction Manager/General Contractor(8)(8) Owner’s Technical Support PersonnelOwner’s Technical Support Personnel(9)(9) Facility Manager or Operations PersonnelFacility Manager or Operations Personnel(10) (10) Insurance RepresentativeInsurance Representative(11)(11) AHJAHJ

The Cx Team develops the OPR and initiate the The Cx Team develops the OPR and initiate the Commissioning Process.Commissioning Process.

Key Cx Team RolesKey Cx Team Roles

Certain Cx team roles are important to Certain Cx team roles are important to successful Commissioning.successful Commissioning.

Fire Commissioning Agent (FCxA)Fire Commissioning Agent (FCxA) Registered Design ProfessionalRegistered Design Professional Installation ContractorInstallation Contractor

Fire Commissioning Agent (FCxA) Fire Commissioning Agent (FCxA) The FCxA represents the Owners interests and is responsible for the The FCxA represents the Owners interests and is responsible for the

following:following:

(1)(1) Organize and lead the Cx Team, Organize and lead the Cx Team,(2) Coordinate Cx Team meetings, (2) Coordinate Cx Team meetings, (3) Facilitate the development of the OPR,(3) Facilitate the development of the OPR,(4)(4) Verify Cx Process scope of work, Verify Cx Process scope of work,(5)(5) Integrate Cx into project schedule, Integrate Cx into project schedule,(6) Prepare the Cx Plan, (6) Prepare the Cx Plan, (12) Track and document issues, (12) Track and document issues, (7) Prepare Cx Process specs,(7) Prepare Cx Process specs, (13) Prepare Cx Progress (13) Prepare Cx Progress

Reports,Reports,(8) Execute the Cx Process, (8) Execute the Cx Process, (14) Witness system testing,(14) Witness system testing,(9) Review the plans and specs, (9) Review the plans and specs, (15) Review installation docs, (15) Review installation docs, (10) Attend pre-bid meeting, (10) Attend pre-bid meeting, (16) Recommend acceptance,(16) Recommend acceptance,(11) Approve Systems Manual, (11) Approve Systems Manual, (17) Track compliance with (17) Track compliance with

matrix.matrix.

Registered Design ProfessionalRegistered Design Professional

(1) Participate and assist in the development of the OPR.(1) Participate and assist in the development of the OPR.(2) Document the Basis of Design. (BOD)(2) Document the Basis of Design. (BOD)(3) Prepare Contract Documents.(3) Prepare Contract Documents.(4)(4) Respond to the Commissioning Team design submission review Respond to the Commissioning Team design submission review

comments.comments.(5) Specify operation and maintenance of systems in the project (5) Specify operation and maintenance of systems in the project

specifications.specifications.(6)(6) Review and incorporate the Commissioning Teams comments, as Review and incorporate the Commissioning Teams comments, as

appropriate.appropriate.(7)(7) Review test procedures submitted by the installation contractor.Review test procedures submitted by the installation contractor.(8)(8) Review and comment on the Commissioning Process Progress Review and comment on the Commissioning Process Progress

Reports and Issues Log reports.Reports and Issues Log reports.(9)(9) Review and accept record documents as required by the Contract Review and accept record documents as required by the Contract

Documents.Documents.(10) Review and comment on the final Commissioning Record.(10) Review and comment on the final Commissioning Record.(11) Recommend final acceptance of the systems to the Owner.(11) Recommend final acceptance of the systems to the Owner.

Installation ContractorInstallation Contractor

(1)(1) Include all Commissioning Process requirements and activities in Include all Commissioning Process requirements and activities in the scope of services. the scope of services.

(2)(2) Attend required Commissioning Team meetings.Attend required Commissioning Team meetings.(3)(3) Include Commissioning Process milestones in the project schedule.Include Commissioning Process milestones in the project schedule.(4)(4) Implement the training program as required by the Contract Implement the training program as required by the Contract

Documents.Documents.(5)(5) Provide submittals to the RDP, Owner and Commissioning Team.Provide submittals to the RDP, Owner and Commissioning Team.(6)(6) Develop individual system test plan, including acceptance and Develop individual system test plan, including acceptance and

integrated testing.integrated testing.(7)(7) Notify the General Contractor and FCxA when systems are ready Notify the General Contractor and FCxA when systems are ready

for testing.for testing.(8)(8) Demonstrate the performance of the systems, including integration.Demonstrate the performance of the systems, including integration.(9)(9) Complete the Construction Checklists as the work is accomplished.Complete the Construction Checklists as the work is accomplished.(10) Continuously maintain the Record Drawings as required by the (10) Continuously maintain the Record Drawings as required by the

Construction Documents.Construction Documents.

The Process The Process

Phases:Phases:

Pre-Design PhasePre-Design Phase. .

Design PhaseDesign Phase. .

Construction PhaseConstruction Phase. .

Occupancy PhaseOccupancy Phase. .

Pre-Design Phase Pre-Design Phase

During the pre-design phase of the project, the During the pre-design phase of the project, the Commissioning Team should:Commissioning Team should:(1)(1) Develop the OPR. Develop the OPR. (2)(2) Select the FCxA.Select the FCxA.(3)(3) Identify the Commissioning scope.Identify the Commissioning scope.(4)(4) Develop the preliminary Commissioning Develop the preliminary Commissioning Plan.Plan.(5)(5) Review the Pre-Design documents.Review the Pre-Design documents.(6)(6) Develop regulatory code analysis.Develop regulatory code analysis.(7)(7) Initiate the commissioning plan.Initiate the commissioning plan.

Design PhaseDesign Phase The commissioning team should:The commissioning team should:

(1)(1) Document the scope for commissioning activities. Document the scope for commissioning activities.

(2) Document the Cx Procedures and create a Cx Activities Schedule.(2) Document the Cx Procedures and create a Cx Activities Schedule.

(3) Verify that the construction documents comply with the BOD. (3) Verify that the construction documents comply with the BOD.

(4) Identify qualified specialists and their responsibilities.(4) Identify qualified specialists and their responsibilities.

(5) Coordinate and document Cx Team Meetings and progress reports. (5) Coordinate and document Cx Team Meetings and progress reports.

(6) Document issues and changes and update the Cx Plan.(6) Document issues and changes and update the Cx Plan.

(7) Create construction checklists. (7) Create construction checklists.

(8) Create required project testing requirements. (include check lists (8) Create required project testing requirements. (include check lists requiring when AHJ’s and Cx Team members are to be present requiring when AHJ’s and Cx Team members are to be present during acceptance testing)during acceptance testing)

(9)(9) Develop project training requirementsDevelop project training requirements

Construction PhaseConstruction PhaseThe Fire Commissioning Team should:The Fire Commissioning Team should:(1) Confirm that the commissioning schedule is still valid.(1) Confirm that the commissioning schedule is still valid.(2) Verify submittals are in conformance with the BOD.(2) Verify submittals are in conformance with the BOD.(3) Verify materials, construction and installation comply with the BOD. (3) Verify materials, construction and installation comply with the BOD. (4) Confirm qualified specialists are performing Cx activities per plan. (4) Confirm qualified specialists are performing Cx activities per plan. (5) Coordinate and document Cx team meetings and progress reports.(5) Coordinate and document Cx team meetings and progress reports.(6) Document any issues and changes to the project and update the plan. (6) Document any issues and changes to the project and update the plan. (7) Perform Cx (QC) construction inspections with plan checklists. (7) Perform Cx (QC) construction inspections with plan checklists. (8) Perform required observation procedures or cause them to be (8) Perform required observation procedures or cause them to be

performed by the responsible party.performed by the responsible party.(9) Record and adjust for any revisions and/or changes to plan documents.(9) Record and adjust for any revisions and/or changes to plan documents.(10) Verify and document testing performed in the Construction Phase.(10) Verify and document testing performed in the Construction Phase.

Occupancy PhaseOccupancy PhaseThe minimum requirements for occupancy phase should include but not The minimum requirements for occupancy phase should include but not

be limited to: be limited to:

(1) Acceptance testing and inspection completion and documentation.(1) Acceptance testing and inspection completion and documentation.

(2) Conduct testing for modifications made during the construction (2) Conduct testing for modifications made during the construction phase.phase.

(3) Delivery of system manual, operation and maintenance manuals, (3) Delivery of system manual, operation and maintenance manuals, and vendor emergency contact list. and vendor emergency contact list.

(4)(4)Training on the use and operation of the systems. Training on the use and operation of the systems.

(5) Record set drawings and documents.(5) Record set drawings and documents.

(6) Test and inspection records for the systems.(6) Test and inspection records for the systems.

(7) A digital copy of site specific software for systems that is current (7) A digital copy of site specific software for systems that is current with the installed system.with the installed system.

(8) Warranties for the systems and equipment.(8) Warranties for the systems and equipment.

(9) Recommended preventative maintenance program for systems.(9) Recommended preventative maintenance program for systems.

(10) A list of required ITM for fire protection and life safety systems.(10) A list of required ITM for fire protection and life safety systems.

Passive SystemsPassive Systems

Commissioning plans should also identify Commissioning plans should also identify the requirements for passive fire protection the requirements for passive fire protection systems including:systems including:

(1) Fire and Smoke Dampers(1) Fire and Smoke Dampers

(2) Fire and Smoke Doors(2) Fire and Smoke Doors

(3) Through Penetration Fire Stops(3) Through Penetration Fire Stops

Re-Cx, and RCxRe-Cx, and RCx

Commissioning Plans should also address Commissioning Plans should also address Re-commissioning (Re-Cx) and Retro-Re-commissioning (Re-Cx) and Retro-commissioning (RCx) requirements of commissioning (RCx) requirements of active and passive fire protection and life active and passive fire protection and life safety systems where installed in existing safety systems where installed in existing structures.structures.

Periodic Integrated TestingPeriodic Integrated Testing

Periodic integrated testing (PIT) should Periodic integrated testing (PIT) should verify correct operation of fire protection verify correct operation of fire protection and life safety systems in accordance with and life safety systems in accordance with the established design criteria, BOD, OPR, the established design criteria, BOD, OPR, equipment performance requirements or equipment performance requirements or applicable codes and standards.applicable codes and standards.

Periodic Integrated TestingPeriodic Integrated Testing

Fire protection and life safety systems that Fire protection and life safety systems that have been commissioned upon installation have been commissioned upon installation in accordance with the Commissioning in accordance with the Commissioning Process should have periodic integrated Process should have periodic integrated testing performed at intervals according to testing performed at intervals according to the commissioning plan.the commissioning plan.

Other PIT RulesOther PIT Rules

Integrated systems in structures that have not been Integrated systems in structures that have not been commissioned in accordance with the Commissioning commissioned in accordance with the Commissioning Process, should have Integrated Testing performed as Process, should have Integrated Testing performed as follows:follows:(1)(1) Where new component fire protection and life safety Where new component fire protection and life safety systems are installed and interconnected to existing fire systems are installed and interconnected to existing fire protection and life safety systems. protection and life safety systems. (2)(2) Where existing fire protection and life safety systems Where existing fire protection and life safety systems are modified to become component, interconnected systems.are modified to become component, interconnected systems.(3)(3) Where the interconnections or sequence of operations Where the interconnections or sequence of operations of existing integrated fire protection and life safety systems of existing integrated fire protection and life safety systems are modified.are modified.Phased sequencing of periodic integrated testing should be Phased sequencing of periodic integrated testing should be permitted subject to the approval of the AHJ.permitted subject to the approval of the AHJ.

FormsForms

Commissioning documents and forms Commissioning documents and forms should be used to record commissioning should be used to record commissioning and integrated testing of fire and life safety and integrated testing of fire and life safety systems.systems.

Basis of Design documents referenced in Basis of Design documents referenced in installation standards should be utilized.installation standards should be utilized.

Testing and inspection documents Testing and inspection documents referenced in installation standards should referenced in installation standards should be utilized for individual system testingbe utilized for individual system testing..

FormsForms

Where required by the AHJ, jurisdictional Where required by the AHJ, jurisdictional forms should be incorporated.forms should be incorporated.

Where no form or checklist exists, the Where no form or checklist exists, the Registered Design Professional should be Registered Design Professional should be responsible for developing a form or responsible for developing a form or checklist.checklist.

The Authority Having Jurisdiction should The Authority Having Jurisdiction should approve all forms.approve all forms.

Cx Cx Questions?Questions?

Thanks.Thanks.