NFPA — membership record
The National Fire Protection Association membership certificate is included in our document records. The NFPA standards applicable to the project inform the testing and acceptance requirements for fire-protection systems.
Fire safety testing and commissioning.
We simulate the completed fire-protection and detection infrastructure on site against the facility’s emergency scenarios and design parameters. After verifying that all components work together, we prepare and deliver commissioning reports and acceptance records under the international standards and engineering guidance applicable to the project (NFPA/EN/FM/BS).
On-site verification
Verifying and documenting systems on site.
However carefully a fire safety system is designed and installed, its performance must be demonstrated through testing and commissioning. This process takes the installed systems beyond engineering calculations on paper and tests whether they can provide the intended protection in an emergency.
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How does testing and commissioning work?
Commissioning checks more than whether a system operates. It also verifies its response to the agreed scenarios and its integration with other building systems:
Site simulations
The completed fire-protection and detection infrastructure is simulated on site to verify alignment with the facility’s emergency scenarios and design parameters.
Integration verification (Cause & Effect tests)
A fire alarm or suppression system operating on its own is not sufficient. The integrated operation of all components is verified. Depending on the project’s emergency scenario, tests check that smoke detection stops air-handling units (HVAC), starts smoke-extraction fans, recalls lifts to the ground floor and releases access-control systems such as turnstiles and doors.
Performance measurements
Calibrated instruments are used for fire-pump flow and pressure tests, water-flow checks at remote sprinkler points and smoke-detector sensitivity measurements.
Reporting and handover
Once integrated operation has been verified, the process is documented. Commissioning reports and acceptance records are prepared and delivered under the standards and engineering guidance applicable to the project.
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Standard references and document records
Test procedures are defined by the project scope and the relevant standard requirements. You can review our NFPA membership record and EN/TSE product conformity documents, and access official FM and BS standards and engineering resources.
EN / TSE — product conformity documents
Our existing product documents for European standards include their scope and model details. These records include TS EN 16034 for the fire door and TS EN 671-1 for the fire hose cabinet.
FM — engineering guidance
FM Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets provide engineering guidance on preventing fire and property loss in industrial facilities. The relevant guidance is selected according to the facility’s risks and project requirements.
BS — British Standards
British Standards resources are available through BSI. Testing and commissioning requirements are considered for standards within the project scope, including detection and alarm systems.
Our TSE service qualification record 59-HYB-66 includes commissioning of fire suppression systems within the scope of TS 13905. View the TSE service qualification certificate
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Testing and commissioning solutions by facility type
Different facility conditions require different test procedures and commissioning approaches:
Production facilities
- Commissioning solution
- Fire scenarios linked to production lines are simulated. Pneumatically or electrically activated deluge valves and water-curtain systems are tested through bypass lines to avoid endangering production areas. Pump capacity curves are verified through the periodic test line.
Logistics and high-bay warehouses
- Commissioning solution
- Diesel and electric fire pumps are tested at maximum load in these large spaces. Pipework pressure losses are measured. Test valves at the level of the most remote ESFR sprinkler are opened to confirm that flow switches send the correct signal to the automation system. Smoke transport tests are carried out for aspirating smoke detectors (VESDA).
Data centres and equipment rooms
- Commissioning solution
- Where clean-agent suppression such as FM-200 or Novec 1230 is installed, a Door Fan Test measures room integrity without the cost of a gas discharge. Cross-zone detection scenarios are triggered to check sounders and the electrical activation of discharge valves at the time specified in the design, with the gas cylinders isolated.
Petrochemical facilities and flammable-material storage
- Commissioning solution
- Proportioner tests are carried out for foam suppression systems. Refractometers measure and analyse whether the correct amount of foam concentrate is mixed into the water. Flame and gas detectors in explosion-protected systems are tested with calibration verification gases.
Testing and commissioning, carried out with the NFPA, EN, FM and BS requirements applicable to the project, is the final critical stage in verifying fire safety scenarios on site. Measurement results, integration tests and acceptance records document the system for handover.