Method Statement Title: Testing & Commissioning of Fire Protection System
Scope :
This scope of this method statement covers the testing and commissioning of sprinklers and Wet Riser system within the Burj Dubai – The Residences in accordance with the following.
- Technical specifications 15500.
- NFPA-13 & NFPA-14.
Note: Method statement for the startup and commissioning of fire pump set will be covered under a separate submittal (Ref. P-015)
2.0 Purpose :
To test the sprinklers and Wet Riser system for leaks and defects and to perform all required acceptance tests in accordance with NFPA-13 & NFPA-14 (Inspection and testing of water based Fire Protection Systems).
3.0 Applicable locations:
- E1, E2, E3, W1, W2 & W3 Towers, East & West Podiums and Villas.
4.0 Parties Involved :
M/s. Emaar Properties : Client
M/s. Mace : Project Manager
M/s.Roberts & Partners : MEP Consultant
M/s. ETA : MEP Sub-Contractor
M/s.NMX : Main Contractor
M/s.FIREX : Fire Protection Contractor
- System Components:
- Sprinkler piping
- Alarm valves and Flow detectors
- Landing valves
- Hose reels
- Fire Extinguishers.
- Technical Section:
Pressure Guage – 4” DIAL, 0-300 PSIG
Note: The calibration certificate of the pressure gauge shall be checked and verified prior to use.
- Testing Procedure:
For convenience, the entire testing procedures have been divided into various parts as below:
- Sprinkler Test
- The sprinkler system will be tested separately for the tower area and podium areas.
Tower
- A flow test will be conducted for sprinkler system in the tower’s floor areas.
- Water flow will be established by opening the inspector test and drain valve of zone control valve assembly. The flow shall be equivalent to flow through our sprinkler head as it is pre set in test and drain valve.
- Ensure that fire alarm is activated when inspectors test valve is opened, which means flow detector shall be interfaced with fire alarm system (fire signal)
- Ensure that water motor gong will operate in the pump room when the pump is in running condition.
- Manufacturer’s written instruction shall be followed for the testing of sprinkler.
Podium
- The sprinkler system in the podium area will be tested, by operating one of the upright sprinkler heads.
- Upright sprinkler head will be operated by heating the glass bulb of the head, once the temperature reaches 79°C, the glass bulb of the sprinkler breaks and water will flow.
- Ensure that fire alarm is activated when inspectors test valve is opened, which means flow detector shall be interfaced with fire alarm system (fire signal).
- Ensure that water motor gong will operate in the pump room area when the pump is in running condition.
- Alarm Valves
- Verify that auxiliary drains are closed and that the system is free of leaks.
- Open the system test valve (and any auxiliary vents provided to facilitate the removal of air from the system) to allow air to escape from the system while it is filling with water.
- If desired, close the alarm shut-off valve to prevent local alarms from operating while filling the system.
- Slowly open the water supply main control valve.
- Allow the system to completely fill with water. Allow water to flow from the system test valve and any other open vents provided until all air is exhausted from the system.
- After all air is exhausted from the system, close the system test valve and all other open vents.
- The pressure gauge on the system side of Alarm Check Valve Clapper should indicated water pressure equal to greater than the water pressure indicated on the gauge located on the supply side of the clapper.
- OPEN the Alarm Shut-Off valve in the Alarm Valve trim, and verify that all other valves are in their normal operating position.
- Secure all valves in their normal operating position.
- Water Flow Detector
- A flow test will be conducted for water flow detector.
- Water flow will be established through the inspectors test connection.
- Ensure that fire alarm is activated when inspectors test valve is opened, which means flow detector shall be interfaced with fire alarm system (fire signal).
- Manufacturer’s instruction shall be followed for the testing of main drain valve.
- Landing Valve & Fire Hoses
- After completing the hydrostatic pressure testing of wet riser piping, a flow test will be conducted to ensure proper operation of the landing valve.
- Unwind the 2 ½” dia fire hose and connect one end of fire hose to branch pipe and other end to the outlet of landing valve.
- Slowly turn the hand wheel of the landing valve, till we get a constant flow through the branch pipe outlet.
7.4.4 Ensure the flow and pressure at the outlet of branch pipe.
- Fire Hose Reel
- Once the hose reel piping is under pressure and tested, a flow test will be conducted to ensure proper operation of the hose reel.
- Unwind the hose from the hose reel, and after removing 2-3 metre of hose from the hose reel, the automatic valve will open automatically.
- Open the nozzle and ensure the flow and pressure at the nozzle of the hose reel.
- 1” dia. PRV shall be used to maintain an outlet pressure of 4 bars.
- One of the remote hose reels will be operated to measure the quantity of water discharge. The water discharged from the hose reel will be collected in a calibrated container to measure the water flow per minute to establish the flow rate which shall be 23 l/min approximately.
- Fire Extinguisher
- Check for physical conditions for the fire extinguisher and the pressure gauge reading of the fire extinguisher.
- Inspect the fire extinguisher to determine that the hose and horn is unobstructed and the plastic tamper seal is intact. Recharge if the weight has reduced more than 5% of the extinguisher content weight.
- Portable fire extinguishers supplied and installed will be inspected and checked during the commissioning period to ensure that they are in good working condition. Any extinguisher losing 10% of its nominal content by weight will be recharged to the required standard.
- All cylinders containing the chemical extinguishing agents will be checked to ensure that the contents are up to the specified standards and are so marked with paint on the outside of cylinders.
- A sample fire extinguisher (as selected by the Consultant) shall be discharged during testing & commissioning demonstration. The discharged cylinder will be replenished as required.
- Manufacturer’s Recommendations
- Manufacturer’s instructions, as applicable, will be followed for testing and commissioning of system components. Find attach the manufacturer’s instructions for the fire protection equipments.
- All recommendations as per NFPA 13, NFPA 14 and NFPA 25 shall be followed and will be incorporated in the O &M Manual.
- Record and Report Data:
- A written report shall be prepared by Fire Protection Specialist upon completion of Testing and commissioning to certify the results.
- All the test results will be recorded in the test format, which has been prepared inline with the NFPA format. A sample test format is attached to this method statement for approval.
- WIR request duly signed off by NMX and Roberts & Partners.
- Safety:
- All PPE such as helmet, safety shoes, harness, gloves, etc., shall be used by the personnel, as required.
- Warning signs shall be placed at required location during pressure testing of pipe work.
- Only experienced and skilled personnel shall be engaged for carrying out the pressure testing work.
- All other precautions shall be followed as per established project safety procedures.
- Safety officer shall check and ensure all safety measures are followed as required.
- All concerned shall be notified prior to testing activities are commenced.
- Attachment:
- Testing and Commissioning certificate for sprinkler system.
- Testing and Commissioning certificate for wet riser system.