In recent years, the engineering and construction communities of Saskatchewan have seen a stronger AHJ, and client focus on the commissioning of systems post-installation. In particular, life safety systems. FOC Engineering Ltd. offers a wide range of commissioning services to provide clients with piece of mind that their operation-critical systems are operating as designed and intended. Such services include:

 

• PLC Interlocking – for a variety of industrial equipment

• Life Safety Sprinkler Systems

• Asset Protection Fire Suppression Systems

• HVAC Shutdown Interlocks

• Emergency Power Diesel Generators

• Electric and Diesel Life Safety Fire Pumps

• Elevator Controls and Homing

• Thermal and IR cameras

• Xtralis – OSID Beam Smoke Detectors

• Xtralis – VESDA Air Sampling Smoke Detection Systems

• Stairwell Pressurization Fans

• Egress Mag-Lock Door Releasing

• Card Access and Electric Strike Systems

• Emergency Evacuation Integration

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In addition to industry standard commissioning, FOC also specializes in CAN/ULC-S1001 Life Safety Integrated Testing (LSIT). When hiring FOC for your LSIT needs you can expect:

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• FOC will work with your contractors to develop a project specific LSIT test plan

• Once construction is nearing completion FOC will gather test reports and certificates from your contractors to determine the final scope of the LSIT.

• During the commissioning phase FOC will coordinate with your contractors on testing requirements.

• Once the LSIT is complete FOC will compile all test results and prepare a final test report summarizing all items that were tested, and each individual test sequence.

• Once this process is complete you will be left with a ULC complaint LSIT report ready to be submitted to the AHJ for review.

 

​What is Integrated Systems Testing?

 

Integrated Systems Testing (IST) is the practice of verifying the relationship between multiple fire protection or life safety systems. The methodology for this testing is prescribed by CAN/ULC-S1001 Standard for Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems. IST is required to be completed once all trades have completed their own required commissioning. By conducting the IST after the standard commissioning phase, the Integrated Testing Coordinator (ITC) is able to identify deficiencies; Connections between systems that may have missed final termination or that have been bypassed during the startup phase. IST provides owners with peace-of-mind that their valuable investments are being protected by reliable life safety systems that function together as a whole.

 

Why is Integrated Systems Testing Important and Why it was Written Into Code?

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Although IST may seem redundant, it does not take the place of standard commissioning, but rather complements it. Prior to the 2010 version of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC), there was no requirement for life safety systems to be tested as a whole to prove that these systems would function as designed in an emergency. Interconnection relationships include HVAC shutdowns, hold-open door releases, magnetic lock releases, damper control, emergency generators and signal transmission to the central station from the fire alarm control panel (FACP). Due to the lack of whole system testing requirements, clients were often left with life safety systems that would not function as designed, leaving their building inadequately protected. IST allows for one final, whole system test designed to flush out any deficiencies within the relationships between each system, and have these issues resolved prior to occupying a building. Giving building owners peace-of-mind that not only are their systems functioning together correctly, but that their occupants will be safe and protected during a potential emergency.

 

Code References

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NBC 2010 – Where the first requirements for IST was put forth

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3.2.4.6. (1)

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Where life safety and fire protection systems are installed to comply with the provisions of this Code or the Fire Code made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, the commissioning of these integrated systems must be performed as a whole to ensure the proper operation and inter-relationship between the systems.

 

NBC 2015 – Where IST requirements were clarified and introduced CAN/ULC-S1001

 

3.2.9.1 (1)

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Where fire protection and life safety systems and systems with fire protection and life safety functions are integrated with each other, they shall be tested as a whole in accordance with CAN/ULC-S1001, “Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems,” to verify that they have been properly integrated. (See Note A-3.2.9.1.(1).

 

A-3.2.9.1 (1)

Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems. Building owners should verify that fire protection and life safety systems and their components (i.e. fire alarm systems, sprinklers, standpipes, smoke control, ventilation, pressurization, door hold-open devices, elevator recalls, smoke and fire shutters and dampers, emergency power, emergency lighting, fire pumps, generators, etc.), including their interconnections with other building systems, are functioning according to the intent of their design. CAN/ULC-S1001, “Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems,” provides the methodology for verifying and documenting that interconnections between building systems satisfy the intent of their design and that the systems function as intended by the Code.

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Clause 6.1.5 of CAN/ULC-S1001 allows the Integrated Testing Coordinator to accept documented evidence of any tests that have been performed on a system as part of its acceptance testing for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with the integrated testing requirements of that standard, so as to avoid duplication of work.

 

What is Required of Integrated Systems Testing?

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The requirements of an IST will vary depending on the complexity of the connections between life safety systems in a building. The ISC is responsible for producing a testing procedure and having it approved by the design engineers prior to the implementation of the testing. Below is a detailed breakdown of what type of testing is required for each type of life safety system.

 

Fire alarm systems

• Confirmation of input/output correlation

• Confirmation of signal transmission to the Monitoring Station

• Confirmation of status monitoring from other life safety systems such as:

  • Mass notification systems

  • Emergency generator fault monitoring

  • Notification systems

  • Sprinkler and standpipe systems

  • Fire pumps

  • Water supplies and control valves

  • Freeze protection systems

  • Special hazards fire suppression systems

  • Cooking equipment fire suppression systems

  • Hazardous gas protection systems

 

Elevators

• Confirmation of the primary homing function

• Confirmation of the alternative homing function

• Confirmation of the shaft or service room alarm indication function

• Connection to emergency power sources

 

Emergency Generators

• Startup test

• Confirmation of the manual start function

• Confirmation of the automatic start function upon loss of primary power to the building

• Confirmation that the generator can accommodate the most demanding system load

 

Audio/Visual and Lighting Control Systems

• Confirmation that audio/visual systems required to deactivate do so upon activation of the associated fire alarm system input devices

• Confirmation that lighting control systems required to activate lighting circuits essential to a safe evacuation do so upon activation of the associated fire alarm system input devices

 

Fire Pumps

• Confirmation that the pump will start by means of manually starting the pump

• Connection to emergency power sources

 

Hold-Open Devices

• Confirmation that hold open devices release upon activation of the associated fire alarm system input devices

• Confirmation that closure hardware full closes and latches the door(s)

 

Electromagnetic Locks

• Confirmation that magnetic door locks release upon:

  • Activation of a dedicated fire alarm relay

  • Activation of a dedicated manual station

 

Smoke Control Systems

• Confirmation that the engineered system functions as designed, including:

  • Hardwire interconnections

  • Software input interconnections

 

Pressurization systems

• Confirmation that pressurization systems required to activate do so upon activation of the associated fire alarm system input devices.

• Automatic and manual controls

• Confirmation of air relief controllers

• Confirmation of door opening forces

 

Smoke Exhaust systems

• Confirmation that smoke exhaust systems required to activate do so upon activation of the associated fire alarm system input devices.

 

Smoke Alarms

• Confirmation that connections to other life safety systems function as designed upon activation of a smoke alarm

 

Frequency of Testing Requirements

 

Initial Test

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An initial IST is required to be completed upon completion of a newly constructed building or when alterations are made between two or more life safety systems within an existing building.

 

Follow-up Periodic Tests

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In addition to the requirement for the initial IST, CAN/ULC-S1001 section 8 outlines requirements for periodic testing throughout the life of a building. The frequencies are as follows:

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• One year after the initial IST

• Every five years after the one year follow up IST

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The intent of follow-up testing is to confirm that connections have not be compromised over years of systems being serviced, and to flush out possible equipment failures due to wear-and-tear.

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*Periodic follow up testing may not be required by some AHJs

 

Client Benefits of Conducting Integrated Systems Testing

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When an effective IST is implemented and maintained, building owners can expect cost savings throughout the life of the building, including:

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• Ease of supplying original plans and specifications during a future renovation phase that requires a building permit.

• Service technician’s investigation time will be reduced by the client being able to provide crucial system schematics and documentation, in turn, reducing the cost of service calls.

• Ease of creating or modifying Fire Safety Plans years down the road when commissioning documentation may have been misplaced.

• Compliance with local Fire Marshals requirement for onsite documentation.

 

In addition to lifetime cost savings, IST also leaves building owners with peace-of-mind that their life safety systems are working correcting, that their contractors have fulfilled their contractual obligations, and that the systems will protect their occupants and first responders in the event of an emergency.

 

 

Who is Qualified to Conduct Integrated Testing? 

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Although the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) or CAN/ULC-S1001 do not specifically recognize what type of knowledge, or skills an individual conducting the testing must have. The intend of the standard is that testing should be performed by industry related professionals who are trained in life safety systems and their relationships. To aid in the education of the industry on these requirements, ULC offers instructor lead and online based training courses on the standard itself and outlines best practices for testing. Once an individual has completed the course, they are then eligible to write an optional examination to become a certified Testing Coordinator.

 

 Below you will find a partial sample of a S1001 report that highlights FOC’s commitments to their clients in providing a thorough and in-depth review of their most critical equipment.