The Future in Fire Protection and Life Safety Cx. David J. LeBlanc, PE, FSFPE

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1 The Future in Fire Protection and Life Safety Cx David J. LeBlanc, PE, FSFPE

2 AIA Quality Assurance The Building Commissioning Association is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of the Completion for both AIA members and non-aia members are available upon request. This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation. 2

3 Learning Objectives 1. Understand the NFPA 3 Cx process for Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems. 2. Understand the critical difference between Commissioning and acceptance testing for Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems. 3. Identify the role of the Fire Commissioning Agent (FCxA) and how they integrate with the full building commissioning team and Commissioning Authority (CxA). 4. Understand the difference between Commissioning (NFPA3) and Integrated Testing (NFPA 4) for Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems. SPEAKERS: Learning Objectives must indicate what attendees will do (not simply understand or learn ) with your information. Read About Learning Objectives Required for AIA Continuing Education Credit: 3

4 Overview Commissioning - NFPA 3 Terminology Integrated Testing - NFPA 4 ICC Commissioning Standard Importance of Cx F&LS Case Studies Lessons learned Re-Cx vs. Retro-Cx review Wrap-Up/Questions 4

5 NFPA 3 Commissioning and Integrated Testing of Fire Protection Systems Commissioning A systematic process that provides documented confirmation that building systems function according to the intended design criteria set forth in the project documents and satisfy the owner s operational needs, including compliance with applicable laws, regulations, codes, and standards. 5

6 Terminology Fire Protection Industry-term Commissioning utilized incorrectly. Acceptance Testing with Engineer or local Building/Fire Department is often incorrectly termed Commissioning. Commissioning is a systematic process not just a test. NFPA3 should help with Terminology. ACCEPTANCE TESTING COMMISSIONING Integrated Testing Agent (ITA) NFPA 4 new term 6

7 NFPA 3 & 4 Updates 2012 Edition NFPA 3 is Recommended Practice 2012 Edition NFPA 3 contains both Commissioning & Integrated Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems 2015 Edition of NFPA 3 only contains Commissioning New NFPA 4 (2015 Edition) is a Standard and only deals with Integrated Testing Future NFPA 3 moving to Standard 7

8 Key Stakeholders Owner Architect / Engineer Commissioning Agent (CxA) if overall building commissioning Fire Commissioning Agent (FCxA) Integrated Testing Agent (ITa) Contractor Subcontractors Registered Design Professionals (RDP) Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) 8

9 Key Documents Owner s Project Requirements (OPR) Basis of Design (BOD) Commissioning Plan Integrated Testing Plan Commissioning Record Document 9

10 NFPA 3 & 4 Qualifications Qualified FCxA and ITa required Advanced knowledge & experience in installation and operation of systems Advanced knowledge & experience in installation, operation, and interfaces between the various systems 10

11 NFPA 3 New and Existing Buildings Commissioning is done on new buildings or new systems. Re-commissioning (RE-Cx) is commissioning of existing systems that were previously commissioned. Retro-commissioning is commissioning of existing systems that were not previously 11

12 ICC Update ICC publishes the set of International Codes IBC & IMC ICC Draft ANSI Commissioning Standard ICC 1000 Public Comment Period Ended April 30, 2015 Current form ICC 1000 is vague, but covers all systems NFPA submitted Public Comment 12

13 Large F& LS Commissioning Projects 13

14 Importance of Commissioning Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems Many fire protection systems sit dormant until emergency conditions Life safety systems are essential in protecting occupants, contents of, and the building itself and notifying occupants during emergency conditions Owners are legally obligated to have properly functioning fire protection systems and to maintain and test these systems. The complex integration of fire protection systems is at an all time high Non-commissioned or improperly commissioned fire protection systems are a liability for owners and commissioning firms. 14

15 Case Study Existing High Rise Building with an Atrium Smoke Control System and Stair Pressurization System. Building occupied for years with areas of the building were getting renovated. Lack of documentation and no evidence it was commissioned resulted in a thorough test of the system to verify installation, operation, and performance. One test scenario was to simulate a transfer to emergency power for entire building during heavy load, including smoke control systems, fire pumps, and fire alarm systems all running under normal power to verify it continued to perform and that the transfer to emergency generator worked. 15

16 Result Under normal power systems activated properly, but on emergency power transfer all of the dampers closed, even though some were suppose to be open. Smoke control fans were on emergency power, but all the dampers were on normal power and failed safe close upon loss of power st NCBC Conference

17 Lessons Learned 1. Emergency/Standby power critical for fire protection and life safety systems. 2. Showcased importance of proper Commissioning and Retro- Commissioning 3. Highlighted importance of integrated test plans 4. Systems need to properly function in various conditions, not only ideal normal conditions. 5. Existing fire protection and life safety systems are many times not properly configured, coordinated, integrated, or commissioned st NCBC Conference

18 Case Study Relatively new Low-rise large building with Atrium smoke control system. Actual fire outside of Atrium activated non-atrium sprinkler water flow in a remote area of building Atrium smoke control system activated in real life (not suppose to per basis of design and project/owner objective) st NCBC Conference

19 Result Smoke from remote area of building was dragged through the building causing extensive damage and clean-up. Improperly configured smoke control sequence did much more harm st NCBC Conference

20 Lessons 1. Improperly configured systems not only not helpful, can cause more problems. 2. Need comprehensive test scenarios and when systems should activate, but also when they should not activate. 3. Proper Commissioning of fire protection and life safety systems critical for proper orientation. 4. Non-Commissioned systems have significantly increased rate of not properly functioning and possibly doing more harm putting occupants, property, and the building at risk from fire and life safety st NCBC Conference

21 Case Study New High-Rise Hotel with Pressurized Stairs, Fire Pump, Fire Alarm System, Emergency Lighting, and other Systems on the Emergency Generator Emergency generator was tested prior to all the systems were completed and connected to the emergency generator and signed off. Generator was properly sized to accommodate load As part of life safety systems test a full load on emergency generator was done with the smoke control system, fire pump, fire alarm system, emergency lighting, and other systems running st NCBC Conference

22 Result During life safety test transfer to emergency generator the generator tripped out. All systems in the building went down with no power and dark no lighting (night test) Generator had capacity but not properly balanced and configured as other systems were added to the emergency generator load st NCBC Conference

23 Lessons Learned 1. Need to commission systems when they are first brought online, but also after other systems are finished. 2. Importance of Commissioning to identify and resolve problems st NCBC Conference

24 Importance of Commissioning Team Brought In Early New Construction Mixed-Use High Rise Project with A Smoke Control System Fire Protection Life Safety Commissioning Team brought in late to the project after much of the system were installed. Systems and smoke control shafts were constructed, sealed, and painted. Required duct leakage test was never conducted prior to sealing shafts st NCBC Conference

25 Results Smoke control system could not meet performance of.10 inch water gauge pressure differential. Leaky duct was the culprit, which would have been identified if the duct test was conducted. Had to take down the drywall shaft for entire building to fix the duct work, conduct duct test, and replace shaft and paint. Additional cost and schedule impact st NCBC Conference

26 Lessons Learned 1. Best to bring in Commissioning Team during the design phase. 2. Need to conduct commissioning testing and component verification at the proper installation point during construction. 3. Skipping Commissioning or improperly delaying steps most likely will cost you significantly more financially and impact schedule st NCBC Conference

27 David LeBlanc, PE, SFPE Vice President JENSEN HUGHES Thank You!