Room Integrity Testing has become a vital part of any fixed extinguishing system with BS recommending a test after installation and once per annum there after plus any time any works are carried out within the room (new cables, extension etc).
Integrity Testing is to ensure the effectiveness of your gaseous fire suppression system; the 'integrity' of the room, i.e. its capacity to hold the gas is a critical factor. Room Integrity Testing is vital to ensure your protected area is well sealed and your gaseous agent won’t escape causing the fire to possibly re-ignite.
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Why spend in excess of £5k and not make sure the system works correctly? You could be letting your money go down a hole literally?
If a room is estimated to fail, they can have expert sealing contractors on stand by to fill any holes found - this would save on the expense of a re-test after sealing works are carried out. It also lets them point out to the sealing contractor exactly where the extinguishant is escaping from.
As well as being environmentally sound, Integrity Testing has several other advantages over a discharge test: It causes very little disruption to the working day, since unlike the discharge test, it does not require the tested area to be cleared, and the total expected running time of the test is approximately 4 hours.
The service is repeatable, allowing the room to be tested at any time, for example, if any changes are to be made to the protected area. The EPA, IRI, FM, other insurers, fire suppression equipment manufacturers and the FSSA that such tests should be repeated annually or after any building work recommends it.
It is versatile. Neither the type of the gaseous fire-fighting agent, nor the original provider of the extinguishing system inhibits this vital service.
Any company with a fixed extinguishing system should be carrying out a room integrity test to make sure their system will work as designed.
(GK/KMcA)
