Why do we test fire detectors? What role is technology playing in improving how this is done? In this article, these and other questions are considered and addressed by STEPHEN BEADLE, Marcomms Manager, DetectorTesters.
Fire detectors are installed for a reason, they are not tick box items that can simply be installed and forgotten – they exist to protect lives and property from the risk of fire. For some, the chance of fire is seen as slight and therefore any investment in protecting against this is viewed as a grudge purchase.
However, it’s the investment in these systems that helps ensure the risk from fire is low and provides peace of mind that both the building and those who occupy it are protected as much as possible from the risk of fire. Specifying and installing the fire system is the starting point to ensuring protection, this will ensure the correct forms of detection are installed across the building and the right number of devices are installed for the building size. After this, regular maintenance of the system is crucial, it simply cannot be left alone for months on end and expect to work as intended.
Over time detector heads can become faulty, common examples being insects in the chamber, water damage and general build up of dirt and dust. Situations such as this can lead to false activations of the detector or the detector failing to operate at all – both of which lead to uncertainty and take away the protection the system was installed for in the first place. Around the world, the risks outlined above are recognised by the fire industry and as result various International codes and standards exist to promote compliant installation and maintenance of fire systems.
Standards such as BS 5839-1, NFPA72 and DIN 14675- 1 have led the way when it comes to shaping best practice and informing on safety standards, however the UAE has always strived to ensure adherence with these standards and as part of this in 2017 adopted its own recommendation with the introduction of the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice. Generally, compliance with such codes and standards will see detectors functionally tested every 6 months, however it’s not just the codes and standards which require this, detector manufacturers themselves insist on regular testing as way to prolong the life of the detectors. So, how is functional testing best achieved and how is technology shaping the ways in which this is carried out?
The testing and inspection of fire systems is a vital role and one that is carried out by a competent person who is aware of the relevant standards and suitably trained on the fire systems installed – this will include use of the fire panel, the detectors, and any additional components such as call points.
Crucial to this is access to the appropriate technology and equipment used for testing, use of the wrong tool can cause more harm than good, resulting in contaminated detectors and increased false alarms – so it is vital to get this right and only use tools which are a) designed for purpose and b) are approved by the detector manufacturers. Detectors are life safety devices, regular testing and maintenance with the correct tools will ensure they can continue to perform to the highest level.
Testing technology has evolved over the years to keep pace with changes in detection and is now going further, leading the way with new features and functionality via digital solutions that not only support functional testing, but crucially, prove it have been carried out. Testing technology began with the introduction of specialist smoke aerosols designed to replicate the conditions of a real fire by introducing a ‘smoke’ stimulus into the detector chamber. The Solo smoke aerosol has, for years been the market leader in this field, developed specially for the purpose of testing smoke detectors and the result of several years of study and testing with different detector manufacturers.
Designed exclusively for use with the Solo dispenser, the Solo smoke aerosols are designed with a specialist valve and nozzle to prevent over application and ensure the optimum number of tests per can.
In more recent years, the demand for smoke cartridge based solutions has grown – driven by changes in detector technology which see some detectors slower to activate, or failing to activate with smoke aerosols. Concerns and attitudes towards pressurised aerosol cans have also led to wider take up in cartridge-based solutions, as regulations governing the use of pressurised aerosols becomes more enforced.
The introduction of cartridge-based testers coincided with a need for an all-in-one test solution. With heat detection becoming more common, engineers are carrying out more testing of heat – either in the form of single sensor detectors or multi-sensor smoke and heat devices. The Testifire range covers this need – combining the ability to test smoke and heat from one device and in doing so reducing the amount of equipment required to be carried by the engineer and, delivering better productivity.
Now in 2024, technology is taking things a stage further. Increasingly, the challenge is now not how to test the detectors – but how to prove they have been tested. Greater awareness around standards and the responsibilities means more questions are being asked as to the work carried out by fire engineers and service companies. Facilities Managers and Building Owners are more aware that the responsibility of a working fire system sits with them and that in the event of a fire, it is them who could be held accountable should it prove the system has not been properly maintained.
As a result of this, service companies are being asked to prove testing has taken place and document the test result of each detector. Traditionally, site visits have taken place with the fire engineer walking the site, carrying out testing and then presenting the building owner with a sign off sheet to acknowledge the work they have done.
With greater pressure on the responsible person to ensure testing has taken place, they are increasingly looking for proof that system has been tested in compliance with standards and that crucially, each detector has been tested. This need, coupled with advances in technology, has led to the arrival of a wave of new digital solutions within the fire industry and Detectortesters is leading the way with the introduction of Testifire XTR2.
So how does it work? Unlike any previous test solution, Testifire XTR2 works alongside an App via Bluetooth. At the start of the site visit, geo-mapping is used to identify the site and begin the test job. Depending on the selection made, smoke or heat is automatically generated once the tester is placed over the detector, with sensors within the test cup waiting for the detector LED to illuminate. At this point a ‘Pass’ record is recorded against that detector and stored within the App. If the detector fails to activate and no LED is displayed a ‘Fail’ status is recorded. All this data is captured as a digital record.
At the end of the site visit, with all detectors tested a report is auto generated providing details of all the test results and placing details of any failed detectors at the top of the report – allowing for easy identification of defects that need fixing – which is what the maintenance visit is all about. Before the report is compiled, a signature from the responsible person onsite can be requested – acknowledging the work that has taken place.
With the report complete and the job closed, the report is automatically available to the service manager or admin team at the service company – allowing it to be reviewed and quickly shared with the end client along with any invoice or additional supporting documentation. The complete solution brings benefits to service engineers, service managers and building owners.
Following an initial launch in the UK and Germany, Testifire XTR2 will shortly be available within Middle East, making it easier for fire professionals and building owners to get the information they need and receive ultimate peace of mind that their fire detectors are maintained compliantly – ready to protect buildings and the lives of people that occupy them.
