If you’re reading this, you’ve likely already spent some time browsing through a building code. Most would agree that building codes are complex and confusing and not the easiest to navigate. They are written, rewritten and interpreted by a group of stakeholders that includes builders, manufacturers, architects, engineers, and authorities.

When it comes to Integrated Systems Testing however, the building code requirements are as concise as they come. A simple paragraph with a short explanation in the annex. That’s because the requirement to test the integration of life and fire protection systems within a facility is a fairly new concept. It was first referenced in 2010 however, as this post notes, new code requirements often take time before they’re incorporated into everyday project plans. Some organizations in Canada and the US are making IST a priority and thus it is in everyone’s interest to learn a little bit about this new-ish process.

Through this post, I’m hoping there is more understanding of the requirements of Integrated Systems Testing of Life and Fire Safety Systems.

Background

In 2010, the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) included a new requirement as article 3.2.4.6.(1) that read: “…. the commissioning of the integrated life safety and fire protection systems must be confirmed as a whole to ensure the proper operation and inter-relationship between the systems”.  The appendix of the NBC then went on to state that the responsibility to uphold this requirement falls on the building Owner. However, without any regulations or references in place for this commissioning, it is not surprising that this requirement was mostly being ignored. 

However, without any regulations or references in place for this commissioning, it is not surprising that this requirement was mostly being ignored. 

Cue the development of CAN/ULC-S1001, “Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems”. In Canada, the requirements for the design, installation, and maintenance of fire alarm systems, as well as other buildings systems are depicted in CAN/ULC standards. Similar to building code development, these standards are developed by committee with representation from different industry sectors. The first version of this standard was rolled out in 2011. 

After the publication of this standard, the ULC committee raised concerns with regards to the meaning of the term “Commissioning”. Instead of making Owners responsible for this process, the ULC development committee, working with the National Research Council of Canada, recommended that the requirements be revised to make the testing of inter-relationship a code requirement. 

Therefore, when the 2015 version of the NBC was rolled out, article 3.2.9.1.(1) was written as follows: “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, …. to verify that they have been properly integrated.” The revised versions recognized the newly developed ULC standard as describing the recommended process for confirming system integration, thus making it easier for Owner and designers to apply the IST requirement. 

New and Existing Buildings

Like any new building code requirement, it takes time to educate users and build momentum before seeing it applied consistently. We’ve seen this recently with the application of the ULC listed signal transmitting unit (fire alarm dialer) installations. The requirements for the current installation of STU’s was in the NBC for a cycle or two before a provincial authority started to push for the certificates to be in place prior to occupancy. This caused contractors to mobilize in the Province and pushed ULC to develop a certification process. Designers were dusting off applicable ULC standards to make sense of the requirements and start including them in their specs.  

The articles requiring integrated systems testing for life and fire safety systems in the 2010 and 2015 editions of the NBC are code requirements. They are enforceable in the same way that pull stations at exits or fire rated separations between some occupancies are. 

The 2015 version of the National Fire Code, which describes the requirements for maintaining life and fire safety systems, includes a new article referencing integrated system testing.  It states that periodic tests be performed to confirm the integration of life and fire safety systems is maintained. For existing buildings where systems integration may not have been tested at occupancy, this would entail additional investigative work and documentation. However, for newer buildings that were subjected to the IST process, periodic testing to confirm correct sequences of operation would be based on the accepted IST report completed prior to occupancy. 

We’re Already Testing Systems, Isn’t This Redundant?

Without a proper understanding of the scale of intricacies in the interconnection of life and fire safety systems, it’s hard to imagine how integrated systems testing would be beneficial. Integration of systems is common in buildings. There’s a good chance that if a building includes a fire alarm system, it is likely interconnected to one or more life safety systems and there is an intended sequence of operation to consider. 

Although each system is required to be tested independently, the testing of the integration between systems can be overlooked.  IST testing involves the operation of an input device and the review of the resultant output to confirm the sequence of operation. 

For example, consider a building with a fire alarm system and fire pump. The fire pump is required to be monitored by the fire alarm system for a supervisory condition.  In accordance with the NBC, each system is to be verified individually to confirm the required operation. Therefore, the pump’s output relays are verified by the fire pump contractor and the inputs of the fire alarm system are verified by the fire alarm system contractor. However, the normal operation of both systems simultaneously may not be confirmed. To address this, the recommendations in CAN/ULC-S1001 requires running the fire pump to confirm a “Fire Pump Running” indicator on the fire alarm. 

Other common examples for confirming integrated operation include smoke control systems designed to operate upon a first or second stage alarm, elevators to recall to alternate floors upon activation of lobby smoke detectors, generators to be monitored by the fire alarm system for trouble or running condition. 

As IST confirms system integrations only, it does not replace the design professional’s responsibility to review the system installation for general conformance with the design. Integrated systems testing is an additional step in the review of life safety and fire protection system performance.  

Who Can Provide This Service?

The NBC does not specify the capabilities of the integrated testing provider. It simply notes that the ULC standard contains details on the IST process.  In response, ULC has committed to the development of a program for professionals (contractors/consulting firms) to become certified integrated testing providers. This program was launched in 2020 and the process for certifications involves courses, exams, and ULC oversight of IST projects. Although the NBC doesn’t require IST providers to be ULC certified, this program will provide a good basis for providers that want to promote their newly developed service. 

However, IST services can be provided by any firm or individual who is comfortable with the requirements of CAN/ULC-S1001. As this becomes more relevant in our industry, authorities will likely establish requirements for IST providers within their jurisdictions. 

All in for Fire Safety

Integrated systems testing provides peace of mind and ensures the intent of the design of the life and fire safety system is met. As buildings become more complex and performance-based approaches are more prominent, ensuring that the full intent of the design concepts are integrated properly provides a sense of security for the Owner. It also sets the table for a maintenance program that will enable holistic testing of the life and fire safety systems.

Find this interesting?  Want to learn more? Well, you are in the right place. Stay tuned to the Kilo Lima Code Community and there will be some exciting opportunities to learn more in depth on this topic and others in the near future. Sign up below, or follow along on LinkedIn