Agenda

HOW DO WE ADDRESS THIS CODE REQUIREMENT?

Industry is now inquiring as to:

What mandates/defines testing protocol, what will be enforced, by who , what documents will be needed and when does this really take effect?

So lets review the Code Requirements and go from there

WHY IS COMMISSIONING ( INTEGRATED TESTING) BECOMING A COMMON TOPIC?

•As buildings become more complex, the commissioning process becomes more challenging

•New technologies are evolving, Designers, Manufacturers and Installers are becoming more specialized in their areas of expertise

• Requirement for obtaining LEED status• Owners and Authorities are recognizing. the benefits for implementing this service

• Allows all parts of the Life safety System to be Tested and Commissioned as an Integral Unit

Current Reading of Commissioning Requirementsin ABC 14

Division B 3.2.4.6

The , who, how, what and why intention of the code, and required commissioning documents? t

9.10.1.2 Commissioning of Life Safety and FireProtection Systems

1) Where life safety and fire protection systems are installed to comply with the provisions of this Code or the Alberta Fire Code 2014, the commissioning of these integrated systems must be performed as a whole to ensure the proper operation and inter-relationship between the systems. (See Appendix A.)

Division B 3.2.4.6

thecommissioning of these integrated systems must be performed as a whole to ensure the proper operation

A.3.2.4.6(1) Commissioning of Life Safety and FireProtection SystemsA.2.1.3.8(1) AFC same directionWhen commissioning a building, the owner must ensure that thelife safety systems and their components i.e.fire alarmsystems, sprinklers, standpipes, smoke control, ventilation,pressurization, door hold open devices, elevator recalls, smoke andfire shutters and dampers, emergency power, emergencylighting,etc are functioning to their intent of their design. Thecommissioning provides the documented confirmation that buildingsystems satisfy the intent of the code.

Ultimately someone will have to ensure that the interconnectedoperation of all life safety systems within the building has beenconfirmed. This responsibility may fall on the designer, owner,contractor or a commissioning agent body.The ABC does not specify who must fulfill this role as this is anadministrative issue

Division B 3.2.4.6

WHAT IS COMMISSIONING?

A process of documentation, adjustment, testing, verificationand training, performed specifically to ensure that the finishedfacility operates in accordance with the Owner’s documentedproject requirements and the construction documents.

WHAT IS VERIFICATION TESTING?

The evaluation of whether or not a product, service, or system complies with a regulation, requirement, specification, or imposed condition. It is often an internal process.” Wikipedia

WHAT IS INTEGRATED TESTING?

Integrated testing is the process for verifying and documenting allinterconnections between systems provided for fire protection and lifesafety functions, are installed and operating in conformance with theirdesign criteria.

Owners , Architect’s , Engineering and Contracting Community will need to become educated on commissioning changes and requirements. They will be and are seeking advice.

This Standard prescribes themethodology for commissioning ,testing anddocumenting all interconnectionsbetween all systems provided for fireprotection and life safety functions andare installed and operating inconformance with their designcriteria.

Appears it will become the go to document by industry and AHJ but really yet to be determined .

• CAN/ULC S1001-11 “Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life• Safety Systems”• NFPA 3 “Recommended Practice for Commissioning and Integrated Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems”

• NFPA 4: “Standard for Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System Testing”

• ASHRAE Standard 202-2013 “The Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems”

• CAN/CSA Z320-11 “Building Commissioning Standard & Check Sheets”• CAN/ULC-S575 “Integrated Systems Testing and Commissioning of Fire• Protection and Life Safety Systems” . This standard was never published.• Was divided into one standard for integrated testing requirements (CAN/ULC-S575) and one or more standards to address commissioning of active systems and passive systems (currently being developed by working groups)

THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS IS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT, INTERPRETATION AND TRACTION AND ENFORCEMENT IS STARTING TO OCCUR

•Recognized Standards• Commissioning Agent qualifications• Templates for protocol, establish standardized criteria

• Standard submittal documents• AHJ expectations• How and when enforcement will really begin• Will bring additional costs to the industry

Q/A