Points to Note for Functional Acceptance Testing of Gas Fire Extinguishing Systems

　　Gas fire suppression systems are one of the most well-known firefighting systems, now widely adopted in various venues and facilities. Thanks to their outstanding performance and affordable pricing, they have earned widespread acclaim in the market. This article aims to inform everyone about the key considerations to keep in mind during the acceptance inspection of gas fire suppression equipment after construction and installation have been completed.

　　Everyone knows that after the gas fire suppression system is constructed and installed, it must undergo acceptance testing—specifically, the functional acceptance of the gas fire suppression system. The functional acceptance of the gas fire suppression system consists of four key components:

　　1. Simulated start-up test; 2. Simulated jet discharge test; 3. Simulated switchover operation test; 4. Switching test between primary and backup power sources.

　　I. Simulation Startup Test

　　The purpose of the simulated start-up test is to verify the correct operation and reliability of the gas fire suppression system, thereby ensuring that the control system functions as intended.

　　Inspection Quantity: Inspect 20% of the total number of protected zones or protected objects (round up to 5 if fewer than 5 exist).

　　Inspection method:

　　1. The automatic simulation start-up test can be conducted using the following method:

　　① Connect the start output terminal of the fire control panel to the drive device corresponding to the protected zone of the fire suppression system. Ensure the drive device is disconnected from the valve's actuator mechanism. Alternatively, you may use a load that has the same starting voltage and current as those required by the drive device.

　　② Manually simulate a fire alarm by activating any one of the fire detectors within the protected area, then observe whether the related alarm devices—such as sirens or buzzers—function properly after a single fire alarm signal is output.

　　③ Manually trigger a fire alarm to activate another fire detector within the protected area, and after observing the output of the combined fire alarm signal, verify whether the corresponding action signals and linked equipment operate as expected (e.g., activating audible and visual alarms, starting loads at the output terminals, and shutting down ventilation systems, air conditioning units, and fire dampers, etc.).

　　2. The manual simulation start-up test can be conducted as follows: (Similarly, the drive unit must be disconnected from the valve’s actuator mechanism, or an equivalent load identical to that of the drive unit should be used instead.)

　　Press the manual start button and observe whether the corresponding action signals and the operation of linked equipment are functioning properly (e.g., whether audible and visual alarms are activated, loads at the output terminals respond accordingly, and ventilation systems, air conditioning units, fire dampers, etc., shut down as intended).

　　Manually activate the pressure signal feedback device and observe whether the gas discharge indicator light outside the relevant protected area door is functioning properly.

　　3. The results of the simulated start-up test shall comply with the following provisions:

　　① The delay time matches the set time, and the response time meets the requirements;

　　② The audio and visual alarm signals are correct;

　　③ The linked device operates correctly;

　　④ The drive mechanism operates reliably.

　　II. Simulated Jet Testing

　　The purpose of the simulated jet test is to verify the operational reliability of the gas fire suppression system and ensure the correct installation of pipeline connections, thereby guaranteeing that the fire suppression system functions as intended.

　　Inspection requirements: The combined distribution system should cover no fewer than one protected zone or protected object. Prefabricated fire suppression systems, such as cabinet-type gas extinguishing units and aerosol fire suppression systems, must come with valid certificates; if they have not been assembled on-site, an inspection may be waived. However, for enhanced reliability in fire suppression, it is recommended to conduct a functional interlock test.

　　Inspection method:

　　1. The conditions for the simulated jet test shall comply with the following provisions:

　　① The IG541 mixed-gas fire suppression system and the high-pressure carbon dioxide fire suppression system shall undergo simulated gas discharge tests using the actual extinguishing agents they are charged with. The number of storage containers used in the test should be 5% of the total number required for the selected protected area or protected object, but it must not be fewer than 1 container.

　　② Low-pressure carbon dioxide fire suppression systems shall undergo simulated jet discharge tests using carbon dioxide extinguishing agent. The test should be conducted in a protected area or on the protected object with the longest delivery pipeline, and the discharge volume must not be less than 10% of the designed quantity.

　　③ The simulated jet test for halon fire suppression systems should not use halon extinguishing agents; instead, nitrogen or compressed air is recommended. The storage containers for nitrogen or compressed air must be identical in structure, model, and specifications to those used for the extinguishing agents in the protected area or for the protected object being tested. Additionally, their connection and control methods must remain consistent. The charging pressure of nitrogen or compressed air must comply with design specifications. Moreover, the number of nitrogen or compressed air storage containers should be no less than 20% of the number of extinguishing agent storage containers, but it must never fall below one unit.

　　④ The simulated jet test should be conducted using an automatic start-up method.

　　2. The results of the simulated jet test shall comply with the following provisions:

　　① The delay time matches the set time, and the response time meets the requirements.

　　② The audio and visual alarm signals are correct.

　　③ Regarding the proper functioning of the control valves.

　　④ After the signal feedback device activates, the gas discharge indicator light outside the gas protection zone door should function properly.

　　⑤ The equipment inside the storage container room, as well as the extinguishing agent delivery pipelines corresponding to the protected zones or objects, show no obvious shaking or mechanical damage.

　　⑥ The test gas must be able to spray into the protected area under test or onto the protected object, and it should be capable of being discharged from each nozzle.

　　3. Simulated Switching Operation Test

　　The purpose of conducting simulated switching operation tests is to verify the correctness and reliability of the backup fire-suppressant storage container piping connections and system operating mechanisms. This ensures that the gas fire suppression system can perform as intended.

　　Inspection quantity: Full inspection.

　　Inspection method: Switch the system's operational status from using the primary fire-suppression agent storage container to the backup one. Then, conduct a simulated spray test; the test results must meet the relevant requirements specified for such simulated spray tests.

　　IV. Conduct switching tests for primary and backup power sources

　　Check method: Switch the system to the backup power supply and conduct a simulated start-up test. The test results meet the relevant requirements for simulated start-ups.

　　After the gas fire suppression system passes acceptance testing, it must be restored to its normal operating condition before being put into use. Even a single failure during inspection will result in the system being deemed不合格 (non-compliant). Therefore, it’s crucial to reach a consensus with the contractor or manufacturer during the project’s early stages.