Chapter 4: Smoke control acceptance and testing
62 VM-1 Smoke Management Application Guide
Periodic testing
During the life of the building, maintenance is essential
to ensure that the smoke control system will perform its
intended function under fire conditions. Proper
maintenance of the system should, as a minimum,
include the periodic testing of all smoke control
equipment including VM-1 SCS controls, initiating
devices, fans, dampers, controls, doors, and windows.
The equipment should be maintained in accordance with
the manufacturer’s recommendations. Refer to
NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air
Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, for suggested
maintenance practices for nondedicated HVAC and
damper requirements. NFPA 92A, NFPA 92B, and
NFPA 72 should be consulted for smoke control panel
testing.
These tests should be performed on a periodic basis to
determine that the installed system continues to operate
in accordance with the approved design.
The smoke control system should be tested in
accordance with the following schedule by persons who
are thoroughly knowledgeable in the operation, testing,
and maintenance of the systems. The results of the tests
should be documented in the operations and
maintenance log and made available for inspection upon
request.
Dedicated Systems
Weekly: Automatic testing every seven days of
dedicated systems will operate all components.
Automatic tests must be recorded, with failure of any
monitored components noted.
Semiannually: Operate the smoke control system for
each control sequence in the original design and
observe the operation of the correct outputs for each
given input. Tests should be conducted under standby
power, if applicable.
Nondedicated Systems
Annually: Operate the smoke control system for each
control sequence in the approved configuration and
observe the operation of the correct output for each
given input. Tests should be conducted under standby
power, if applicable.
Special arrangements might have to be made for the
introduction of large quantities of outside air into
occupied areas or computer centers when outside
temperature and humidity conditions are extreme. Since
smoke control systems override limit controls, such as
freezestats, tests should be conducted when outside air
conditions will not cause damage to equipment and
systems.
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